A coffee shop owner who owes staff hundreds of pounds in wages says “there’s nothing I can do”.

Workers at Uniquely Bohemian Boho Teahouse were told the store would be closing in July after it became financially impossible to run.

That meant a handful of staff at the site, at the bottom of Gabriel’s Hill in Maidstone, are still reportedly owed more than £1,200 in wages between them.

But the married owners said closing was inevitable and they had tried everything to keep the business alive.

"The closure of our business was an extremely difficult decision for us to make," a statement from the owners said.

“Despite our best efforts to adapt and overcome we unfortunately faced significant challenges that made it impossible to sustain operations.

“We explored every possible avenue to keep the business running but unfortunately they were too great to overcome.

“There is no money left in the business to pay wages and we told staff that. There’s nothing we can do.”

“This was not an easy decision and it comes with a sense of loss both for us and the community that we have served.”

Several factors, including a huge leak into the shop, lack of footfall in the town centre and waiting on invoices to be paid, were attributed to the store closing, with the owners claiming on several occasions they had to dip into their own pocket to pay wages.

The pair added: “We want to thank our loyal customers and supporters for their commitment and trust in us over the last couple of years and we hope that we can come back in the future.”

Uniquely Bohemian was opened as a pop-up in October 2021 before bosses spent thousands on a revamp to open as permanent cafe in February 2022.

As well as artisan teas, coffees and handmade cakes, it sold hand-poured soy candles and other gifts. It also served unusual seasonal drinks, such as lavender or rose iced matchas.

Aylesford mum Jode Rose, whose daughter worked at the coffee shop, criticised the company for not being able to pay its staff.

She said: “A lot of them are still owed money. They’re off to university soon and need that money for rent.

“So many people have been left out of pocket. It's not on, these are young girls who have been affected.”