The owner of a gift shop that has been in a town centre for 12 years says new parking charges have proved to be the last straw for her struggling business.

Teresa Seamer, who had warned the council against the fees during a public meeting, is to bring down the shutters on Gorgeous George at the end of the month.

She says her independent boutique in Tonbridge High Street, which sells gifts, jewellery, children’s toys, and specialist wines and spirits, had already suffered from a drop in footfall in the town, even before the parking charges were introduced.

As a result, she has lost thousands of pounds and feels the business is no longer viable.

Parking charges were increased across Tonbridge and Malling on August 19 despite fears it could hit the coffers of already struggling businesses.

As well as an increase in costs, the times of operation were also extended until 8pm.

Previously the cut-off had been 6pm - and charges were introduced for the first time on Sundays and bank holidays.

Mrs Seamer said: “It’s been a combination of factors. It began with the closure of the banks in town and then continued with the closure of the Post Office and its move to another part of town.

“We’ve just seen footfall - and trade - go down and down.

“The parking is the thing that has finally pushed us over the edge.”

A rally was held in June in protest over the Sunday parking charges, and Mrs Seamer herself spoke at a council meeting to warn the local authority that the extended charges would be bad for business.

She said: “The council didn’t listen, They had no intention of listening. They had already made up their minds.”

Council leader Matt Boughton (Con) has said the administration would review the effects of the parking charges once they had been in a year.

Free parking for up to 30 minutes has also been introduced in six short-stay car parks in the town centre.

Mrs Seamer added: “It’s such a shame. I love Tonbridge – it’s a great place. I have lived here for 22 years.”

But she hasn’t given up hope, adding: “I still have four and a half years left on the lease of the building.

“I’m trying to develop a new business model, one that will help make this part of town a destination for visitors. Maybe a coffee shop, selling specialist spirits and produce from local growers.”

Whatever her new venture is, she intends to take her two existing staff members on the journey with her.

Meanwhile, Gorgeous George is running a closing down sale with 10% off Jellycat plush toys and 20% off other items.

It will close on October 31, but Mrs Seamer is planning one last event - a sale of Christmas goods from stalls outside the store in November.

Meanwhile, the shop’s closure has been greeted with dismay on social media.

One person wrote: “Tonbridge is losing one of the best shops ever.

“What a fantastic shop it has been for every age, young or old, sister or brothers, husbands looking for that special gift for a loved one.

“Teresa has been a warrior fighting bills going up, shop rates, rent, and the list goes on. It's a sad day. Her welcoming smile is going to be missed.”

Elsewhere in the borough, residents in West Malling are campaigning for changes to the new parking restrictions which they say is risking the future of its monthly farmers’ market.

A quarter of the stallholders have pulled out since a four-hour limit was introduced, impacting where traders can park.

Meanwhile, another Tonbridge trader has opted for a novel way to combat the parking fees - she is offering to pay them herself.

Karen Sochon, who owns Karen Alexandra Beauty and Well-Being in Avebury Avenue, is offering her customers a refund of an hour’s fee if they buy something.

She said: “Since the new parking charges were introduced I am among many business owners in Tonbridge worried about what these increases are going to mean to our future business prosperity.

“It’s a small gesture, but I hope it will encourage shoppers not just to visit my shop, but also to stay around in the town a bit longer and visit all the wonderful independent businesses that we are lucky enough to have in the town, and keep our town centre thriving.”