Family-run businesses in Farnham say they are facing their greatest-ever challenge, as rising costs and dwindling footfall leave the town’s high street under severe pressure.

A place where some shops have been handed down through generations, Farnham is now seeing its independents struggle against online shopping, the cost-of-living crisis and the ongoing roadworks in the town centre.

This heritage is embodied by Ranger’s Furnishings on West Street, run by the same family for five generations and celebrating 130 years in the town this year.

Today, it faces what current owner Tom Kirk describes as its toughest-ever test.

Mr Kirk said: “It is really challenging and our business has survived through some of the hardest period in human history, like the world wars and the recent pandemic, but trading is now harder than ever.

“Business and customers are both struggling with the cost of living.

“Many young people will choose to buy furniture online rather than coming to a store like ours to have a look round.

“The hardest part is getting people through the door as once we do that we usually make a sale. But people are just not shopping in shops like ours anymore and if we didn’t own the shop we would not have survived.”

His wife, Anna, runs West Street Bakes, a contrasting business model that thrives online.

Ms Kirk said: “My business has not seen impact of lower footfall during the roadworks as I’m predominately online but my business is doing well and one day I would love to have my own shop.

“I walk around town with my kids looking at the empty shops dreaming one day I could move my business to there. But realistically it is just not a viable option and it would be too large a cost.”

Farnham’s MP Greg Stafford said both local and central government needs to do more to help.

He said: “Businesses in Farnham are being hammered from all sides. The Government’s out-of-touch taxes are threatening the survival of small and family firms.

“Waverley Borough Council has the power to offer temporary rate relief, but traders have been left unsupported while it hikes car parking charges at the worst possible moment.

“Traders do not have unlimited resources or patience. I will keep raising these issues with our councils and in Parliament, but Waverley must show it values Farnham’s businesses not as a cash cow, but as the lifeblood of our community.”