Owners of an independent clothing store are celebrating 20 years of trading.

Debra Winter has been kitting out children in adorable outfits at Little N's Baby Boutique in the Priory Shopping Centre, Dartford, since 2003.

The 56-year-old and her partner Mark Aldridge first started out selling clothes in local markets across Kent and the South East in 1997.

She said: “We did Maidstone, Gillingham, Rainham, Rochester, Folkestone and Croydon – we did them all to be honest.

“Brighton was a busy one as we went on the bank holidays.

“Mark was at the wholesalers one day and got introduced to a gentleman who was selling the shop that we have now.

“He asked if we would be interested in taking it on, so we went to see if it was a busy area and did some homework.

“We said we would like to buy it and we did! We fell into it really, it was just one of those things.”

The couple, who live in West Kingsdown, have been together for 30 years, and first met each other in Blackpool on a stag do and hen party.

They moved into the Priory Shopping Centre on May 19 2003 and have never looked back since.

Debra says she remembers calling Mark when they first launched.

“I phoned him many times on opening day, as I was looking after the children,” she said.

“I kept asking how he was and what it was like. I know he said his stomach was in knots and was quite nervous.

“But he got over it and went on serving – back in his element – it is what he loves doing.

“The gift of the gab is the phrase that comes to mind!”

The shop sells a varity of baby clothes and accessories, including comforters, bibs, soft sole shoes, headbows, blankets and personalised items.

They even have a Spanish line of outfits, which are said to be “a lot more unique” than your usual ensemble.

“Some are frilly, some have pom-poms and even the boys ones have bows on them,” Debra explained.

“That's what the Spanish designs are about, they are quite feminine.

“It’s just a little bit different, better made and good quality.”

Over the past two decades, the duo have served thousands of customers, including generations of families.

“It’s brilliant,” Debra said. “We have friends who would come when they were children and still visit us now buying for their own babies.

“They say ‘my mum used to shop in here for me’. You watch them grow up and it is lovely.”

Debra also mentioned how in recent years they have had to increase the selection of “neutral” coloured clothing – lots of grays, whites and beiges.

She says this is down to the fact that many couples are now choosing not to find out the baby’s gender until they are born.

However the tradition of having blue for a boy and pink for a girl is still very prominent.

Through multiple Covid lockdowns and now the cost of living crisis, the couple have continued to run the business, working seven days a week.

“It is a roller coaster,” Debra said. “You can go in one day and the sky’s the limit, other times you can barely take the rent.

“It’s not for the lighthearted. You have got to be in it for the long haul.”

She added: “But we have been here for 20 years and hope to be here for another 10 – then I think we can retire!

“We love it there and love the people, and I hope that is reciprocated with those we have met over the years.”