Additional reporting by Sean McPolin

Furious shop owners have hit out over the government's decision to enforce the second lockdown.

Independent retailers across Kent have expressed fears that being forced to close for one of the busiest months of the year could prove devastating for many businesses.

Nigel Webb's ironmongery shop in Tenterden will stay open, but he's facing having to close his general wares shop on the same street during lockdown for the second time this year.

He described the news as feeling like the town was "being punished".

He said: "I really feel like we should be sticking with the tiered system. I can't see how there's any need to force us into lockdown when we don't have anywhere near the problems or numbers you're seeing in the rest of the country.

"Of course, when the numbers come up, you come down hard on it and stop it from spreading, but why shut the rest of the economy down?

"We're very lucky with our ironmongery because we sell most of the same things year round and we're allowed to stay open as essential shopping, but so many other shops will have already bought all of their Christmas stock and won't be able to sell it during November, which is one of the town's busiest months!"

The retailer, who has been running the shops for around a third of its 100-year history, said that there was hope to be seen in the town's togetherness.

He explained: "I must just say thank you to everyone in the town who have supported all of their local shops.

"It's been really clear to see just how much everyone cares, and while it's going to be an incredibly tough time for everyone, it's been lovely to experience this togetherness over the last few days."

Mr Webb's concerns over the town's welfare were echoed by Rory Knight, owner of independent fashion retailer WUD Tenterden.

He said: "If I could sum the feeling up in a few words, it would be 'furious, incredulous, and bordering on depressed'.

"I have a wife, kids, and rent. What exactly am I supposed to do to provide for them when they're making us close down completely unnecessarily.

"They gave us a grant of all of about £1,300... that's not going to cover anything really!

"The unbelievable thing when you think about it is that people are going to be put out of jobs because of this, and what will happen to them then? They and their families will be forced to turn to the state for support."

The father-of-three ran a discount up to today, which he said was in order to get as much money in as possible before the four week lockdown kicked in tomorrow.

However, not all of the shop owners in the town feel that the lockdown is a bad idea.

'Clearly the numbers are bad enough...'

Memories Antiques owner Richard Brunger said: "Frankly, I feel like most of us could see this coming, I only wish that they had done this sooner to leave more of the festive period open if possible.

"I'm conscious that I am extremely fortunate in my personal position, and I know that a lot of people will be suffering, but clearly the numbers are bad enough for the government to make this decision.

"It has lead us to see an incredible effort by the town to support everyone, which I think is just fantastic."

Elsewhere the rush to snap up Christmas gifts before shops close saw shoppers flock to crowded town centres.

Cherly Chambers, who works at Mr Flower Sittingbourne, in the High Street said: "We'll still be doing some requested orders at our warehouse and have left a sign in the window which people can ring through to and order if they're getting married or a loved one passes away, but people can't just come in and buy something like they used to.

"There's been about 30 people who have come in and taken advantage of the cheaper prices we've had to put in. We've sold a lot of plants which I think people are buying to cheer up their living rooms for the next month."

The town's George pub opened three weeks ago after undergoing a £50,000 revamp but will be forced to shut its doors tomorrow.

Manager Andrew Palmer said it's been quiet over the past two days as people prepare for lockdown.

"It's a nightmare. It's been quiet this week, so I don't know how many we'll get in today or tonight. We're at the wrong end of town as all the big pubs and chains are up the other end," he said, adding: "I'm sure we will have our regulars in and enjoy a good night before everything shuts."

Asked what the lockdown will mean for the pub, he said: "It will cripple it, but we will fight back. It'll be hard to cope, but four weeks in manageable. If it goes on any longer and we lose the four weeks before Christmas then there won't be many pubs left next year. We don't make much money from January to March so rely on the festive trade.

"We'll be shutting for a month tomorrow and we've decided to rush through plans for a kitchen so we can start doing food if we can open again in December. It's been rushed through but it gives us something to do."

Businesses, cafes and bars in the town were busy.

A staff member at Forever Hair & Beauty Salon in the High Street said: "We've been busier than normal today with clients trying to book in before lockdown."

The salon will close tomorrow after reopening in July.

Bay Leaf Café in Roman Square, Sittingbourne, was full of people at lunch time looking to get some food and drink before restrictions come in tomorrow.

Chris Staff, owner of Empire Menswear in Sittingbourne High Street which has been forced to shut, said: "This lockdown could really be the death of the high street.

"It's come at the most important time of the year for retailers as they prepare for Christmas and those funds over the festive period help see us through January and February.

"If it goes on for any longer than November we'll be in trouble. We have to pay suppliers and without any trade we won't be able to do that.

"In terms of the economic side of things it's a disaster to be shutting down, but it has to be done. If it saves just one life it is worth it.

"We didn't have any signs of going into a significant lockdown and had geared up for Christmas trade and brought in all our stock which is now sitting on our shelves. More and more businesses are going to go further into debt.

"It's a waiting game for now and like I said it needs to be done to save lives, but economically it's not good at all for us and the lack of festive trade could finish off the high street."

Over in Thanet one pub boss said if closing down for a month meant customers could celebrate Christmas the measures were worthwhile , while localised schemes in places like Deal are aiming to help businesses fight back, even if their doors are closed.

Businesses in Gravesend and Dartford were also vowing to battle on, while one book shop owner urged shoppers to shun Amazon and turn to independent local businesses to help their high streets survive.

Read more: All the latest news from Kent