A farm shop has shut after 17 years of serving customers.

The Tiddly Pomme at Brogdale Farm, Faversham, ceased trading after Easter, with bosses saying several factors made the closure “unavoidable”.

In a statement online, John Lewington, owner of the shop and cider taproom, said: “We have tried extremely hard to continue to trade, but a number of factors over the last few years have made this step unavoidable.

“I’d like to thank all our wonderful suppliers for filling the shop with the very best local produce over the last six years and I wish you all the very best for the future.

“Thank you of course to all our customers, both regular and occasional, that have made the journey so enjoyable.”

Mr Lewington will now turn his attention to his other venture, Brogdale Craft Cider. This will continue to be available at Brogdale Collections- an extensive fruit orchard based at the farm.

Despite the continued presence of his cider company, many customers were left disappointed to hear about the closure of the shop.

One person said: “That is sad news John, I wish you well in your future endeavours, you deserve to do well.”

Debbie Hickman, who handed over the firm to John in 2018, added: “We managed to clock up 17 years between us, which for an independent shop in this day and age is a massive achievement.”

The shop, which sold cider, beers, food and arts and crafts, was based at the farm’s Market Place, made up of independent shops and a restaurant.

The farm’s owners, The East Malling Trust, who took over in February, hopes the space will be filled soon.

Chief executive Karyn Hood said: “The decision by The Tiddly Pomme had already been made before the trust acquired it.

“It is obviously disappointing to see any company downsize, particularly a local producer, but we are pleased that its cider business will continue to operate at Brogdale. We will take our time to assess the space vacated and are confident we can let it in the near future.”

The East Malling Trust completed its multimillion-pound purchase of Brogdale Farm in February, vowing to work with existing operators.

The 146-acre site had been put on the market for £4.85 million in July last year, a figure described as “quite conservative” by agents George Webb Finn.

The majority of the farm buildings now host shops, offices and eateries. The Faversham Minature Railway is also based at Brogdale.

The agricultural land is currently rented out to two farming tenants, who harvest top fruit, soft fruit, nuts and nursery crops, as well as recently grubbed orchards laid to grass.

Farmland not dedicated to the National Fruit Collection - which boasts 4,000 varieties of fruit trees - is subject to a yearly lease renewal.