A car crashed into the front of a popular town centre store – just days after it opened its doors for the first time this year.

Eyewitnesses believe it is lucky no one was killed following the incident in Herne Bay High Street at about 6pm yesterday.

It is understood the vehicle, which was reportedly carrying a mum and baby, smashed into Interiors Direct after it collided with a car leaving Bank Street.

The owner of the business, Mark Tadman, believes it will cost as much as £10,000 to repair the destroyed shopfront.

“It was a bit of shock,” he said.

“There have been queues outside the barbers next door for the last week and it only got a bit quieter yesterday, otherwise there could have been a fatality or two.

“Normally I would have closed up until it was repaired, but after being closed for four or five months, we’re desperate to take some money.”

Police and paramedics have confirmed they were called to the scene of the two-car crash in High Street yesterday.

A spokesman for the force says no arrests were made and no one was injured.

Adam Ahmad, who owns neighbouring business Oskar’s Barbers, heard a “loud bang” immediately before the car hit the shop.

“It was a bit frightening – you wouldn’t expect this kind of crash in the crash in the High Street,” he said.

“One of my guys was outside having a cigarette. He was lucky because he could have got really badly hurt.

“I believe if it had happened earlier someone could have easily got hurt. It could have been really bad.”

Mr Tadman, who has run the store for 25 years, closed for the day before the crash occurred.

He only found out about the incident when he received a call from Mr Ahmad shortly afterwards.

“I thought he was joking at first,” Mr Tadman added.

“I would have thought it would cost £5,000 or £10,000 to repair – it’ll be up to the insurance company to work out.

“It’s the first time this has happened in 25 years.”

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