Business owners in Kent are reeling at the news another national lockdown is on the cards from next week.

The move, which could come into force from Wednesday , could see everything except nurseries, schools, universities and essential shops close until December 1.

Margaret Preedy, the owner of Rianos Maidstone which host weddings, parties and functions at the venue in Tonbridge Road, said she was worried about how another rule change will affect her already struggling business.

She said: "I'm very anxious about what he [Boris Johnson] is going to say because whatever it is, it will have a huge impact on my business.

"I have so many weddings that were transferred until December and now it doesn't look like they are going to go ahead either.

"It's a total disaster for venues like myself because there's nothing I can do. I can't adapt to a restaurant or a bar and nobody wants to get married or hold events at the moment.

"The whole situation is difficult and very depressing. I've been in the business 20 years and after all that hard work, it's just all gone. I can't see an end to all this.

"It's a total disaster for venues like myself because there's nothing I can do"

"I had about five events planned for November but whether they are going to go ahead now, I'm not so sure."

Deborah Haylett, who co-runs the social enterprise Café Revival in Whitstable, has called for the furlough scheme to be reinstated if the country goes into lockdown again.

The business, based in the Horsebridge Arts Centre, is in the process of moving some of its trading online and helps deliver food to the people who have mental health problems.

But she fears the scheme is going to "expand massively" because of the rise in anxiety levels that will come with a national lockdown.

"It’s another big blow but I totally understand why it seems inevitable when the dominoes are falling all around us in the rest of Europe and even Scotland and Wales," she said.

"I just hope the government will have things in place to help businesses survive."

Ms Haylett estimated the firm has spent about £3,000 bulk buying products to make the café Covid compliant.

"We have spent a fortune," she added. "From sanisiters to screens and extra staff time for cleaning.

"We haven’t been open at full capacity anyway – we went down to five days a week from seven and our opening hours were shorter because footfall hasn’t got back to what it was anyway."

Others in the hospitality and leisure industry, one of the worst hit when lockdown was called in March, have described the latest news as another 'kick in the teeth'.

Tina Beadle who owns The Scared Crow pub in West Malling is hoping the announcement will still allow her to serve takeaway meals, something that helped the business survive through the summer.

She added: "If they come up with some financial help then a month we can probably get through, but if they don't we're stuffed really.

"At the end of furlough you're expected to take the staff back on but how can we do that if we're having another lockdown?

"I know the government has difficult decisions to make but it's like giving it to you in one hand but taking it out of the other.

"It's a kick in the teeth but what can we do?"

The owner of an Aylesford soft-play centre says he doesn't know how his business will cope if another lockdown is called.

Having reopened just a few weeks ago, Adventure Kidz in Wood Close is one of the few centres that has been able to welcome back families.

The owner Andrew Moody says he feels businesses like his have been forgotten by the government and having to close again so soon after reopening will be 'crippling'.

Mr Moody, 49 who has been running the centre with his wife Elizabeth for ten years, added: "It's devastating for us again because we were the last sector to be able to open last time.

"We've been back for six or seven weeks and now it looks like we will have to close again.

"With no financial help I'm left wondering, how much longer can we survive as a company? "It is absolutely crippling beyond belief.

"This virus isn't going to go away anytime soon and it's sad that people are dying but we have just got to come to terms with it and move on.

"If I have to close for another month how do I pay my bills?

"Our companies are suffering so much and the government isn't helping us at all."

With Christmas just around the corner those who work in the arts industry are facing the prospect of having to cancel or reschedule their socially distanced festive shows.

Theatre company Get Out Of My Space’s (GOOMS) had hoped to perform their reimagined version of Dickens' iconic festive tale, A Christmas Carol, inside the Grand Pavilion at The Beacon restaurant in Tunbridge Wells.

It was due to run for 28 days starting from November 24.

Organiser Tobias Cornwell says he hopes the show can still go on, even if slightly later than planned.

Mr Cornwell, 23 said: "At the moment we are going to progress as planned but with a date change to have performances start on December 1 instead.

"There is also a chance for an extension to 23rd Dec if the demand dictates.

"We also want to reiterate and make clear that if any performance is cancelled then all those who have booked will receive a full refund.

"We’re trying to be a beacon of positivity in these strange times and give as many people as possible something incredible to look forward to."

Additional reporting by Brad Harper

Are you a business owner worried about what's going to happen next? Email news@thekmgroup.co.uk

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