MANY businesses are still suffering from the recent icy weather, but one company says trade is booming as a result.

Scarlett Fireplaces sells wood- burning fires and stoves and fears over the supply of gas and other sources of heat energy has seen the company’s sales double over the first two weeks of the year, compared to 2009.

In charge of the business, in London Road, Westcliff, is husband and wife Jason and Melanie Scarlett.

She said: “Customers are becoming more aware of gas price rises, last year’s worries over the Russians turning the gas off and this year’s worries of gas shortages.

“Customers want to be in control of their own energy for the first time in many generations, as these are uncertain times and alternative energies have never been so attractive.”

However, the company is very conscious burnt wood has to be replaced.

Mrs Scarlett added: “We will be offering to plant trees locally to compensate for the carbon created from the manufacture of stoves that also ensures fuel for the future generations and enhances the biodiversity of our local woodland habitat.

“During the coming weeks we will be planting trees for every wood burning stove sold.”