A popular school uniform shop has suddenly closed down forcing customers on a near ten mile journey to new suppliers.

Parents hoping to collect pre-orders from The Sewing Shop in Echo Square, Gravesend were shocked to find a note on the door telling them the business had closed down and to chase their orders via the new supplier’s website.

The shop stocks uniform for almost every primary and secondary school in the Gravesham borough, and the news came as a shock to parents and schools who have been using the shop to kit out their kids for decades.

Old Lady of Hartley Catholic Primary School in Stack Lane, Hartley, near Longfield only found out about the closure on Monday morning.

Secretary Kim Gillespie said: “I received an email from the lady who used to run the shop saying she had had to close because of family circumstances and was not allowed to tell anyone until the deal was done.

"I now need to send an email out to parents, but I need to find out more information from the new suppliers first.

“I want to know what speed of turnaround parents can expect when they order uniform, the cost of delivery, and what’s the easiest way for parents to go about ordering uniform.”

She added: “I’ve been onto the suppliers first thing as there are things I need to know.

“I know there will be a backlash from parents and I need to know I have the answers they want to all their questions.”

Parent Zoe Aqlan, from Meopham, said she was planning to visit the shop in preparation for her son’s move from primary to Meopham School in September.

“It’s very frustrating to be losing The Sewing Shop,” she said. “My son is moving to secondary school in September and will need to be fitted for a whole new school uniform.

“Having to travel to Chatham for this is extremely inconvenient.”

The shop’s website has shut down and and a message directs customers to new suppliers Simmonds & Sons Ltd in Dockside Shopping Centre, Chatham – nearly ten miles away.

Matt Palmer, commercial director for schoolwear provider Banner Retail said his company had taken over the stock for The Sewing Shop after the owner was forced to close for health reasons.

He said: “We needed to step in quickly as the lady was no longer able to run the shop and there was a danger there would be nowhere in the area for parents to buy their uniform.

“We have been a lifeboat for the children in the area really as we have come in and taken over the stock.”

The shop’s lease had run out so he said it made sense to move the stock to a shop they already own in Chatham Dockside.

He said parents can travel to the shop or order online. Any pre-existing orders will also be dealt with by the new store.