An independent bookshop that has operated in Brentwood town centre for 14 years will close in January after a sharp increase in bills and business rates forced the owner to shut up shop. The Chicken and Frog, run by Natasha Radford, has become known as a refuge for families and neurodivergent children, offering workshops and a sensory space alongside its books. Radford, a 53-year-old former teacher, said the rising costs had made the business unviable, with footfall so low at times that she has gone entire days without making a sale.
Radford's costs have soared dramatically. She said her electricity bills have tripled since the shop first opened, and her annual business rates have surged from £2,868 in 2024 to £8,435 this year. As a small independent trader, she does not benefit from the deep discounts offered to larger retailers. The shop operates on thin margins, typically buying books in at £4.05 and selling them for £6.99.
The sharp rise in rates stems from government policy changes. In April 2025, the government reduced its temporary 75% business rates relief discount to 40%. Rates are also determined by market rental value, which disproportionately affects shops in towns close to London like Brentwood. An HM Treasury spokesperson told the BBC that the autumn Budget aimed to give High Street businesses 'more breathing space', with the threshold at which traders must pay rates rising from £12,000 to £18,000 in rateable value. However, the spokesperson acknowledged that some areas were 'more expensive than others', meaning certain shops would not benefit from this change.
The closure will leave a significant gap in the community. Customer Stephanie, a 36-year-old teacher, described the shop as an 'incredible haven' of 'knowledge, support and community' and said its loss would be an 'immense loss' to Brentwood. Radford has expressed frustration that allowing such community hubs to close represents a 'massive oversight' by the government. She noted that communities now felt 'fragmented'. Since announcing the closure, Radford said customers have been visiting to say goodbye and offer support, with many coming in for a hug.