Additional reporting by Simon Finlay, Local Democracy Reporter

A shopkeeper has hit out at the loss of a “vital” passenger ferry service which is set to “massively” impact commuters and day-trippers alike.

The owner of Marie’s Tea Room, in Gravesend High Street, has branded the decision to stop the long-running Gravesend to Tilbury crossing a “huge blow”.

He is now predicting a significant drop in business as a result.

Speaking to KentOnline, Graham Broadbent said: "It is going to have a huge impact. Rents and wages will be going up for everybody in April and now we will see a fall in trade.

"This is going to be a blow to us. I know how much it is going to affect us and the other shops in the town centre.

"It is surprising how many people come over from Essex. We have people telling us there is not much happening in Tilbury so come to Gravesend.

"We will lose that as they will now go elsewhere instead. We have worked hard to build up regular customers who we will now lose.”

He believes the tea room will see around a 5% drop in trade when the ferry stops running at the end of March.

“It does not sound that big but financially we are speaking about a staff member a month,” the businessman added.

For more than 20 years, the ferry service, connecting Kent to Essex, was co-subsidised by Kent County Council (KCC) and Thurrock Council.

However, its future was cast in doubt following serious financial pressures from both authorities.

Thurrock Council had already pulled its funding and KCC has since expressed concerns it could no longer afford the £55,000 subsidy, which could quadruple.

The local authority launched a public consultation in January and received more than 1,700 responses – many pleading for the crossing to be saved.

Respondents to the survey painted a picture of hardship, disruption and inconvenience its loss would bring.

Should the service be halted, more than a third (35%) said they would have to drive to their destination and 23% would have to source a form of public transport.

Mum-of-two Shell Back said she regularly uses the ferry to visit family in Essex and take her children on affordable days out to the seaside.

As she does not drive, the river crossing is an easy and convenient way to travel as opposed to trains and buses.

The 34-year-old said: "I am in panic mode. I am a single mum and the ticket price makes a day out with my children so much cheaper.

"It is going to affect us massively. It will now be really hard to see my sister-in-law as neither of us drives.

"Every time I have used it, it has been packed. So many people are going to be affected by this. It is really gutting."

Sally Thompson also said the decision will mean she will struggle to see her daughter and grandchildren who live across the river.

The Gravesend resident added: "We use the ferry fairly regularly as it is so much easier than driving and using the Dartford crossing which can take hours.

"Using the crossing is not viable as if there is an accident or incident we are likely to be late to other commitments such as school pick-up.

"The ferry is mainly reliable. Without it, I will possibly see much less of my family.

"I really hope the service can be saved."

The ferry carries more than 100,000 passenger journeys a year – many who use it to commute to and from work.

Natalie Mitchell is one. She travels from Gravesend to work with her colleague Vickie Donoghue over in Essex.

She said: "I cannot drive so for projects in Essex I will have to get the train into London and then back out again.

"This will increase costs and commuting times from five minutes on the ferry to around two hours.

"It is a huge loss. I understand Jetstream feeling their position is not currently tenable, but the impact is huge."

Leader of Gravesham council, Cllr John Burden, has also said he is “extremely concerned” over the break in service.

He added: “We understand the business decision taken by the operators who have faced weeks of uncertainty following KCC’s decision to consult on the future of the service and then offer them only a short-term contract. Any business would struggle to operate in those circumstances.

“That said, the impact the loss of the service will have on the schoolchildren and commuters who regularly use the ferry, and the loss of trade for our Gravesend businesses from day visitors from Essex are our primary concerns.

“We have been working with KCC, Thurrock Council and others to try and ensure the service remains in place, and our offer to take part in further conversations, including identifying a future operator, remains on the table.

“However, as a borough council, we do not have the budget to contribute to the subsidy for the ferry service. That is for the strategic transport authorities and budget holders – in this case KCC and Thurrock – to solve.”

Last week, the operator Jetstream Tours declared the ferry would cease running at the end of March.

In a statement, a spokesman for the firm said: “Following a second extension to our existing contract, in November 2023, we became aware of funding issues which started through the withdrawal of funding from Thurrock Council.

“We have maintained positive talks solely with KCC throughout this period whilst a consultation period was entered.

“Regrettably due to ongoing concerns and uncertainties presented around future funding and an abandoned procurement process by KCC for longer-term prospects, Jetstream Tours has been unable to enter into negotiations with the council.”

Short-term extensions to the existing contract are not “tenable for our business”, said the company.

The statement added: “We feel it ultimately would lead to further protracted job insecurities and have an adverse effect on our ability to adequately employ and ensure continuity of a regular and reliable ferry service.”

KCC councillors will be discussing plans at a meeting this afternoon (March 7).