Threats, vandalism, burglary and even a gunshot have led to a business owner deciding to close his Margate store.

Thanet Bedz director Jamie Knight, from Ramsgate, says he has had enough of the issues caused by people repeatedly vandalising his shop.

The store in Margate High Street has been open for three years but now Mr Knight says its presence in the town is coming to an end.

The 40-year-old said: “We had an incident where lead was ripped from the roof, which caused water to pour into the showroom, costing thousands to repair.

“Someone smashed their way through the shop last year and burgled it. They didn’t even take that much, but once again it cost us thousands of pounds to sort out.

“There was even a gunshot out of a window at the warehouse. It is shocking.

“It is no surprise to me business after business is closing, it is because of the constant trouble and vandalism in Margate High Street.”

“We have fought and fought to keep this shop open but we just cannot afford to keep paying out for all of this" - Jamie Knight

Mr Knight said the final straw came on Tuesday evening last week, when a fire extinguisher was thrown through a skylight, causing more damage to the store.

He added: “We have fought and fought to keep this shop open but we just cannot afford to keep paying out for all of this.

“When you get this much grief there becomes a point when you think, is it worth it any more?

“The next process will be contacting the landlords and sorting out closure.

“Our presence is coming to an end.”