A family firm renowned for its bright yellow vans has made the “emotional decision” to shut down after 26 years in business.

The Window Workshop in Ramsgate has faced mounting financial pressures amid the cost-of-living crisis, interest rate hikes and lockdowns.

Having built a somewhat ubiquitous presence in the town and surrounding areas since opening in 1997, bosses say they tried their ‘upmost’ to stay afloat.

The Deal family said in a recent statement: “We have regrettably decided to close our company after 26 years of trading.

“This was an emotional decision as we had staff and family members employed by us.

“Due to the current climate since lockdown and with interest rates etc, we have been injecting our own money into our company to ensure we kept our valued employees in work.

“We honestly tried our upmost through these trying years.

“Unfortunately as our work was quietening down it was no longer viable for us to keep trading.”

Historically, Window Workshop’s yellow vans were often seen in the town and surrounding areas.

But now bosses have given a heartfelt apology to customers with future works scheduled, as it calls in its fleet.

The statement continued: “We have instructed a company to act on our behalf, we were advised we could not contact anyone, again to emphasise no monies had been exchanged from any customers.

“We have ensured sufficient funds and the value of machinery and stock etc will cover any surplus invoices for those companies who we did not pay.

“This has been a very hard decision and we thank everyone who has contacted us, friends, family and previous customers to send us their best wishes.”

Customers expressed their sadness on Facebook, with John Lycett commenting: “You have looked after us well for many years and always done an excellent job.

“Thank you so much for your service. We wish you well in the future.”

Michael Wood added: “I always knew your vans just by the colour.

“I could tell from a mile off before the writing was visible on the side. It’s very sad news.”