The Chicken and Frog, an independent bookshop described as a "haven" for families and neurodivergent children, will shut its doors in January after 14 years of operation. Owner Natasha Radford, known to customers as "Mrs Chicken", attributes the closure to a dramatic surge in business rates and utility costs that have made the shop financially unviable. According to BBC News, the shop has also struggled with declining footfall in Brentwood town centre, with Radford reporting days when no sales occur.
The 53-year-old former teacher expressed the emotional weight of the decision, noting that running an independent business becomes "all-consuming". She reflected on the impact the shop has had: "To know that we've had a positive impact on people's lives... it's huge." Since announcing the closure, Radford has been inundated with customers seeking farewells and embraces, underscoring the deep connection the bookshop has forged within the community.
The shop's closure represents more than the loss of retail space—it will remove a vital community resource. Beyond selling books, the Chicken and Frog has operated workshops and provided a sensory space for children with additional needs. The venue was recognised for its community contribution, having been joint winner of the High Street Impact Award at the Brentwood Business Awards 2025, acknowledging its significance to local life.
Why has the shop become unviable?
Radford operates on razor-thin profit margins typical of independent booksellers. A volume she purchases for £4.05 sells for £6.99—a markup that fails to compete with the "deep discounts that the big boys get", she explained. The financial squeeze has intensified dramatically on the cost side of the equation.
Her electricity bills have tripled since the shop first opened 14 years ago. More significantly, her annual business rates have surged from £2,868 in 2024 to £8,435 in the current year—a nearly threefold increase in a single year. This spike reflects a government policy shift: in April 2025, the temporary 75% relief discount on business rates was reduced to 40%, placing renewed pressure on High Street traders.
The rates burden falls particularly heavily on Brentwood because they are calculated using market rental value, a metric that inflates property valuations in towns close to London. Radford pointed out that this system disproportionately penalises businesses in such locations, where commercial rents are driven by proximity to the capital rather than local trading conditions.
What do customers say about the loss?
Stephanie, a 36-year-old teacher who brought her neurodivergent child to the shop regularly, described the news as "truly heartbreaking" and an "immense loss" to Brentwood. She characterised the bookshop as an "incredible haven" of "knowledge, support and community". Stephanie praised Radford and her husband for treating every visitor "as a close friend" and going "above and beyond to help". She added: "Her love for children and their wellbeing was felt in every part of that shop and every club and session she ran."
What is the government's response?
An HM Treasury spokesperson told the BBC that the autumn Budget 2026 provided High Street businesses with "more breathing space". Under the new policy, traders now pay business rates only once their rateable value reaches £18,000, up from the previous threshold of £12,000. However, the spokesperson acknowledged that "some areas were 'more expensive than others'", meaning certain shops would not benefit from this relief. The Treasury also noted that rental value is a "commercial decision" between landlords and businesses, deflecting responsibility for the cost pressures facing independent retailers.
Radford has criticised the government's approach more broadly, arguing that communities feel "fragmented" and that allowing community hubs to close represents a "massive oversight" by policymakers. Her concerns reflect a wider pattern affecting independent businesses across the country. Similar pressures have forced other community-focused enterprises to close or seek emergency funding: a craft shop in Cheltenham launched a £5,000 crowdfunding campaign after relocation doubled its costs, while a foodbank in East Yorkshire closed after 16 years as costs soared and donations fell.
What happens next for the shop?
The Chicken and Frog will continue trading until January 2027. Before closure, the shop is scheduled to host Mrs Claus's grotto on Saturday 21 November 2026 from 12pm to 3pm as a free drop-in event, and Sunday 22 November from 12pm to 5pm for SEND families by booking. This final seasonal event will allow the shop to serve its community one last time before the January closure takes effect.
