A gift shop is shutting down due to a “lack of footfall” following the departure of multiple big-name brands from its town.

The owners of the Don’t Panic Store, in the St George’s Centre, Gravesend, Alex and Monique Souter said it has not been an easy decision but they can no longer survive.

Speaking to KentOnline, Alex said: “It is the day-old saying, use it or lose it. We really love the store and our customers love it but it is no longer viable.

“Even though we did try and offer more, like the board game cafe, the retail side has not been making enough money.

“This is not new or only affecting the shopping centre. We have seen shops that have been here for decades calling it quits.”

He explained the store, which sells a variety of board games and gifts, has struggled with the rising price of utilities, rent and service charges and the cost-of-living crisis.

However, he said it was the likes of Argos and WHSmith closing down and leaving the shopping centre which hit the hardest, as it caused a reduction in footfall.

Alex added: “There are some fantastic businesses in the St George’s Centre but as a whole, there is not enough to grab people’s attention.

“There are not enough big-name shops and diverse offerings to pull people in. It seems more people walk through it rather than come in to shop.”

Last month, Gravesham council, which owns the shopping mall, revealed its ambitious plans to revitalise the St George’s Centre as it hopes to increase footfall, despite people’s changing shopping habits.

It is looking to build a tech hub, community space, and pop-ups for small businesses and community groups.

Despite this, Alex said by the time the changes have been made it will be “too late” for his games and gift shop.

He added: “The new centre manager, Krishna, has been fantastic since coming on board. As best as she can, she has brought a new life into the centre.

“She is trying to do different things and has been a positive force but unfortunately, too much damage has already been done.

“It is a real shame. Although it is sad, we can look back and say coming out of the pandemic we opened a shop and kept it open for four years.

“I still see that as an achievement and I am really happy with what we did achieve.”

Husband-and-wife duo Alex and Monique Souter own the popular escape room business The Panic Room which has branches in Gravesend, Dartford, Essex and Niagara Falls in America.

The pair have assured their customers that their other ventures will be unaffected by the closure of the Don’t Panic Store.

It is set to shut in the New Year and is hosting a closing-down sale to clear stock.