A popular hairdressers is being forced to close after almost 70 years - because people are having fewer cuts since Covid struck.

The owner of Caprice in Canterbury Road, Whitstable, says the business has never fully recovered from the impact of the pandemic as customers' habits changed.

Jo Davis, who has owned the business since 2009, praised the "kindness, loyalty and support" of her customers - some of whom have been going to the shop for 50 years.

"The main reason we have to close is because we've never fully recovered from Covid and people’s habits changing," the 48-year-old said.

"For instance, I had a handful of ladies who would come every four weeks to have their hair cut, but since Covid they have it cut, leave it until it's long, and have it cut.

"The ladies who came every week now come every fortnight. It all adds up, and with the cost of living, the utility bills mean I can’t keep going.

"The cost of electricity, gas and water - it’s no different from a domestic dwelling. Being a business, they’re higher anyway."

The Swalecliffe resident says the building has been a hairdressers since the 1950s and there have been various owners.

"I took it over in 2009 but have worked there since I was 14 - I’ve been here for 34 years," she added.

"I started as a Saturday girl when I was still at school, when I would come in on a Friday night and all day on Saturday to shampoo, make teas and sweep.

"When I was 16 I went to college, and qualified at 18."

About 50 customers have haircuts each week at the business, where three hairdressers work, as well as an assistant.

The building is leased by Jo, and there are currently no plans for its future when the shop closes on Friday, September 30.

She received a flurry of messages of support from customers and former workers after sharing the news of the imminent closure on social media.

"A couple of customers have been coming for 50 years," she said.

"The clients are very loyal and are very upset. It feels like a family, and it is going to be a big loss, but you can’t live on nothing and unfortunately it can’t carry on."

Jo says hairdressing is "her life", and she is now going to be working mobile three days a week, and on Friday and Saturday at Lauren Daniels in Herne Bay.

"I would never give it up," she added. "I love it and I love the people. It is about being part of someone’s life.

"People are regular, and I have been with them for more than 30 years.

"They have watched me grow up, get married and have children. They are part of our lives as much as we are part of theirs.

"You make someone feel better. They come in feeling down, so you give them a nice head massage and they talk about what’s bothering them, and they go out feeling a whole lot better."