Bosses of a family-run business are urging people to remember to shop locally as they face their toughest year yet.

Matt Herbert, who has owned Pimms DIY and Hardware Store, in Gravesend, for 18 years, said the continued cost of living crisis and price hikes are taking their toll.

The dad-of-three added: “I am not closing but this year has been the hardest yet. It has been a lot tighter.

“It is because of the prices. We have had to put everything up as everything is costing more. It is harder to keep our costs down.

“It is tricky and I know I am not the only one seeing this. As small businesses, we need people to know we are here.”

According to ONS data from September, more than a quarter of the businesses which responded to a survey reported a decrease in their turnover in August compared with July.

One of the challenges noted was the cost of materials with around 20% of firms reporting an increase in the prices of goods or services bought in the same period.

Matt said the price of a Calor gas canister has gone up two or three times in the last year. It would have cost around £51.99 a bottle in 2023 but is now £58.99.

Other items such as lightbulbs have risen by around 10%.

Sally Paton, who runs Sally Sue’s Sandwich Bar, in nearby Dartford, is another who has seen her costs double in the last year, while her customer base has halved.

Matt said although his shop, on the corner of Kitchener Avenue and Sun Lane, has competitive pricing, he believes a lot of people still tend to drive to bigger stores such as B&Q without thinking.

He added: “I think they get in their cars and before they know it they are shopping at one of the bigger chains.

“I hear ‘I forgot you were here’ and ‘I always drive past but never come in’ far too often. We all reminisce about the shops we have lost over the years like the butchers or the post office.

“You need to use us or lose us. Remember these shops kept everyone going during and after the pandemic and we are still here needing support.

“As we head into winter, it is always going to be harder so we need to encourage local people to shop locally.

“We need to remind them we are still here.”