Cashpoint withdrawals are up on last year, according to Link, the operator of Britain’s ATM network.

The figures will provide a glimmer of hope to the retail trade that business is not quite as bad as feared.

Link said that, last week, some £2.389billion was withdrawn from cash machines — up 2 per cent on the same week last year.

Last Friday was the busiest day, with some £544million withdrawn, up more than 4 per cent on the corresponding Friday last year. It was also the biggest single day for withdrawals for more than a month.

Graham Mott, head of development at Link, said: “Last week was key for spending as we start the run up to Christmas.

“Despite the current climate, and a wet and cold weekend, shoppers were out in force and cash machine withdrawals were up by two per cent on 2007,” he said.

“Taking into account inflation, the figures are an indication of stability, despite turbulent financial times,” he added.

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