THE snow caused massive disruption to businesses across the county with staff struggling to reach factories and offices.

Production at the Cowley Mini factory was suspended, while designer shopping outlet Bicester Village was also closed for the first time in its 15-year history.

And, across the county, shoppers were faced with empty shelves as suppliers struggled to reach supermarkets and stores.

Bosses are hoping the plant will reopen today, depending on weather conditions.

Miranda Markam, community relations manager at Bicester Village, said tourists arriving from London were refunded their train fares, despite warnings being posted at Marylebone station.

She added: “We cleared the car park and the mall, but for the safety of customers and staff we decided it would be best to close.”

Bicester Village normally attracts up to 10,000 customers a day, and Ms Markham said she could not put a figure on how much business had been lost.

Some shops ran out of key provisions such as bread and milk. Tracy Gutteridge, deputy manager of the Co-op convenience store in Bloxham, near Banbury, said: “There is no milk left and we shall be closing at 3pm as I have to walk back to Banbury.”

Elsewhere, postal workers were struggling to deliver mail, especially to outlying areas, and the TNT delivery depot at Milton Park, near Didcot, closed but it was hoped deliveries would resume today.