Business bosses have praised an entrepreneur after she moved to her premises in The Hive following the closure of Gravesend's historic market.

Market trader Sarah Cooke opened her second hand furniture shop Home and Vision in Northfleet yesterday after just 19 months running her stall.

On Saturday, Gravesend Borough Market closed for a £1.8 million refurbishment with some traders relocating to the St George's Centre.

The market is due to re-open next summer.

Gravesham council's cabinet member for business development Cllr Samir Jassal says he wants the market to act as a catalyst for growing businesses.

He said: "This is a fine example of what can be achieved.

"From an idea to a business plan, Sarah has developed her business steadily and rapidly outgrowing the market stall and graduating to a showroom in such a short period of time.

"When the market reopens next year we hope to attract many businesses with as much potential and ability to realise that potential.

"We want at least part of the market to be a catalyst for those businesses people to take them from the nursery slopes of trading to greater things.

"Sarah has been an example to many and we wish her every success."

Sarah said: "We have been very encouraged by the growing number of our customers and the new showroom enables us to have a permanent base to continue to grow and thanks go in no small part to the council for their help to achieve this."