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An independent pop-up Christmas shop has been met with accusations of cheating the rules to stay open during lockdown.
But the manager of Christmas On The Mall in Chatham says they are just trying to pay their staff and not make a huge loss - but will close on Monday.
Paul Butler, the store manager, is adamant they are "the safest retailer in Medway" and "going by the book to keep people safe" with two metre floor-markers, sanitised baskets, masks on staff and hand sanitiser at the door.
Government guidance states shops selling a combination of essential and non-essential items can stay open. The manager points to their stock of cleaning products and sweets, but shoppers have accused the store of stocking up on a few items to stay open.
One Chatham local who spotted the shop said: "We were concerned a pop up Christmas shop was blatantly still open. I just thought it was a total **** take that they thought they could stick a couple of toilet rolls at their door and get away with it. They're trying to navigate a way to stay open.
"When you see something like that, you think what's the point of us doing all the stuff we're doing. In this current crisis, it's a gamble you take that the shop is going to be open to trade. But to ignore a lockdown and carry on trading, it can't be right in any way that you look at it."
Another local shopper, Rob Wilkin, said: "It is disgusting that the Pentagon has not asked the shop to close or even been given a penalty notice."
Mr Butler is aware of the complaints, but insists he is not a 'profiteer.' He added: "We can't be profiteers because we won't be making a profit this year. If we stay open we will just be able to cover our staff and rent.
"But if we end up not opening before Christmas - which the extension of furlough to March suggests to me - we will be over. People who invested in us will lose out and we cannot store the stock because it costs more to store than buy. We're only open six weeks a year, so by the time we have set up, it's already been a massive loss."
He went on to argue: "The most essential thing for us right now is Christmas. It brings people together. It's essential for older people too for the need to see their family.
"I think if the people want us to open, then we will be open. If you feel having a Christmas tree at Christmas is essential then that is fine by me."
The manager says he asked Medway Council's trading standards to assess the store. Upon being told the small stock of cleaning products and sweets was not enough to consider them essential, Paul is following advice to set up a click and collect service and close the store on Monday.
A Medway Council spokesperson said: "Medway Council’s Trading Standards team has visited Chatham and offered advice to two shops selling Christmas items, and has encouraged them to ensure they are operating within the new national guidelines."
The store manager said upon speaking to the shopping centre management, they were very keen to follow rules but were sympathetic to stores like his which could shut down without business.
Charlene Malone, centre manager for the Pentagon Shopping Centre, said: "We are working closely with our retailers and Trading Standards. We understand that Trading Standards have been in touch with some of The Pentagon’s retailers today to discuss their trading plans directly."
