A home and garden shop which has served customers for more than 70 years is now closing.

The announcement from the team at Wale & Son, in Walmer, near Deal, has been met with shock and sadness from customers, who say the town will not be the same without it.

The shop, along The Strand, first opened in 1950 and is close to both Deal Castle and the beach.

It sells produce, garden goods, pet supplies, ice creams as well as beach products.

Owners Julie and Shaun have made the sad decision to call it a day due to financial difficulties.

A statement read: "It is with great sadness that we are having to announce our closure.

"Due to new landlords and rising costs, we are no longer in a position to serve our customers to the best of our ability and to the standards you are all used to.

"We would like to thank you all for your loyalty in sticking by us for the 74 years we have been here, and making us feel like such an integral part of the community.

"This decision is made even harder by the fact so many of you have become friends as well as customers and you will all be sorely missed.

"So, thank you for putting up with me for 38 years, Jules for 20 years and Sarah for 16 years. Many, many thanks, Shaun and Julie."

The shop, which received a four-star hygiene rating as recently as June 2022, will see its last day of trading on September 21.

Its departure has brought a lot of disappointment among customers.

One, Robert Bennell, said: "So sorry to hear you’re closing - loved being able to pop into your shop and get things we needed when we lived there. Enjoy your retirement."

Meanwhile, Chloe Louise Orpin added: "Very sad news. I may not be as regular as some, but can I say I have many memories popping into your shop.

"My grandad would take me in and buy my a bag of monkey nuts.

"My gran would bring me in and buy gardening stuff, and an ice cream if I had been good.

"What I’m saying is that you will be greatly missed."

Another customer, Mj Johnson, added: “You have been a constant all the time we have been in Walmer. Such a terrible shame.”

Cllr Chris Vinson (Con, Walmer) also commented: "Very sad news. Wale & Son is an institution on The Strand."