High street businesses say ferry closure hit trade

A couple who own an Indian restaurant on Gravesend's heritage high street have said businesses are struggling after the loss of the ferry service to Tilbury two years ago.

Alim and Rita Khan put everything into creating their dream business, Chaat N Chai, which serves authentic Indian street food cooked fresh to order.

They said the high street once saw a steady flow of commuters, schoolchildren and day trippers heading to and from the ferry, but passing trade has disappeared.

The ferry stopped after council funding ended, but Gravesham MP Dr Lauren Sullivan will hold a summit on 16 October, bringing together councils, businesses and ferry companies to explore whether it can be restored.

"Anything is movement here, it helps to advertise your business," Alim said. "They might not buy at the time, but they will go and think about your business.

"We don't get that benefit because no-one's coming down this road, so we have to put a lot of effort into driving our business."

Marie's Tea Room, which is across the road, has also felt the impact.

Employee Malik Aboderin said there used to be a need for more staff, particularly at weekends, adding: "When the ferry was about it would be very busy, especially on a Saturday. Now it's just slowed down, it's just decreased."

The Gravesend to Tilbury ferry ran six days a week, with 100,000 passenger journeys each year. The crossing took about 10 minutes.

By car, the journey is around half an hour, while public transport can take about an hour and a half.

Sullivan said the loss of the ferry had had a "massive impact" on the local economy.

She has raised the issue in Parliament, where Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he would work with her to find a way to bring the service back.

The ferry was jointly subsidised by councils on either side of the Thames, but Thurrock Council withdrew its funding in 2023.

Kent County Council (KCC) continued funding the service alone until it stopped in April 2024.

A KCC spokesperson said: "KCC part-funded and contracted the ferry service for more than 20 years and remained committed to its future.

"However, after Thurrock Council withdrew its funding in 2023, KCC could not afford to sustain the service alone and the ferry stopped running in April 2024.

"KCC would welcome the opportunity to see the ferry return, but this would require further financial support."

You can see more on that story on Politics South East on BBC1 at 10:00 BST.

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