An independent bookshop described as being a “haven” for families and neurodivergent children has announced it will close after 14 years.
The Chicken and Frog says it will leave Brentwood town centre in January after a huge increase in its bills and business rates.
Owner Natasha Radford, aka “Mrs Chicken”, also says the town’s footfall has been so low that at times she has gone a whole day without a sale.
The 53-year-old said she had been busy since announcing the news, with customers coming in for a hug and a farewell.
“It means the world because running your own business is difficult. It becomes all-consuming,” said Radford, a former teacher.
“So, to know that we’ve had a positive impact on people’s lives… it’s huge.”
