A shop owner in one of Britain's most upmarket cities says she had to close early - after taking just £4.50 in a day.

Natasha Whiting, 35, owns 'Hidden' which sells a range of British-made quality 'lifestyle' goods like homeware, books, candles, ceramics, crockery and cards.

She say she is passionate about her store being an 'experience' for shoppers with products made from natural textures, like clay, wood, linen and flowers.

But recently Natasha closed the shop in Bath in Somerset for a Thursday and Friday - after taking just £4.50 on the Wednesday.

All she sold that day was one wooden postcard.

She says like many independent shops she is struggling amid the economy, cost of living crisis and decreased footfall on high streets.

Natasha posted about her £4.50 takings on Instagram and said she was 'overwhelmed' with responses from fellow business owners reporting similar struggles.

She wrote:

''Hi all. Things are not going so well for the shop at the moment.

''I think the heat doesn't help (plus the economy of course). But today I sold a grand total of £4.50.  

''I'm going to shut tomorrow & Friday as I am so behind on everything else in my life and I could do with the space. I hope this doesn't disrupt any plans.

''If you planned to visit please message me and i can open by appointment,.

''Back open at the weekend. Thank you for understanding XX.''

Since the post Natasha, who opened her store in December 2022, said many other businesses had been in touch with similar stories.

She said: "I don't want to say goodbye to my shop, but it's a case of survival."

"So many shops contacted me after my post - which I initially just put out there to inform people that I would be shut - I couldn't believe it. "

"It obviously resonated with a lot of people."

"One person said they had owned their store for 12 years - and the past eight months has been the hardest they've ever had."

Natasha says there are lots of factors affecting local, independent shops in the current climate - from the ease of online purchases and less tourists.

She said: "We are losing a lot of independent shops at the moment - lots in the last six months have gone online because it's easier."

"I think it's a really important conversation at the moment because the fact is, so many people will do Amazon and shop online - even without thinking about it."

"People aren't choosing not to support independent shops, but the way our lifestyle is set up now, it's just so easy."

"I don't begrudge people for doing it because it's so convenient, especially when you have lots to juggle with children, families and work."

"We are also seeing less tourists than usual this year - during the summer months we get a lot of our income from tourists - so that will have an effect."

Bath has suffered a number of shop closures - recently Jolly's an historic department store closed its doors after opening in 1823.

It is set to open again next year with new owners.

Natasha also wants to highlight the substantial impact the cost of living crisis has upon peoples' spending habits.

She said: "People just don't seem to go out shopping that much anymore - and everything is so expensive."

"The cost of living is crazy: the price of food, water, electricity bills, everything! "

''We are being so squeezed - and that then impacts how much people have to spend, and impacts the way people live their lives, such as acting out of convenience and needing to get things quickly.

"All of that then goes offshore, we're not keeping it in the local economy."

"We have also had Brexit and the pandemic - so I think it's a melting pot of different pressures impacting the way people are living and spending."

The mum-of-two, who was born in Bath, hopes to use her position to draw attention to the issue, encourage conversations and celebrate independent store owners across the country.

She argued Bath could do more to highlight independent stores in the city - which are more often than not, Natasha claimed, are located on the outskirts, and how people can think about supporting shops which do not just mass import all of their products from China.

She explained: "The more we can talk about it the better."

"There are so many incredible shops cross the UK - but lots of stores have opened, recently in the highstreets, that are selling things for so cheap because the majority are made from China."

Natasha said she is looking at ways to ensure the future sustainability of her business moving forward.

However, store managers at Graham and Green, based on Walcot street in Bath, have said their footfall has increased across their three stores this year.

Hannah, store manager at the home furniture and family run store, said: "Graham and Green is 52 years old, so it is already an established business."

"We are in the right spot for us in the artisan quarters - it's all about location, location, location."

"This year, though it has taken two years, the tourists are back, and everybody wants to take something home. It is busy all the time."

Hannah explained how the store has aircon, and always features a promotion, campaign or discount for their shoppers - which she said also plays a role.

Shopper Glenys Stevens, 72, says she considers herself lucky to be able to ventures out and shop at independent stores - whilst "refusing" to buy anything from Amazon."

She said: "I hate Amazon."

"I don't shop from there - I refuse to do it! If I can't get what I want out, then I do without."

"I live in a big block of flats and the amazon boxes just pile up."

"But I am lucky, I live on my own - I don't have kids, or parents to look after."

"I do my best, but everywhere will look the same if we don't support independents - people don't want to see more Zara and H&M stores, they want to find unique shops and cafes."

"People will be sad when the independents go."

An assistant shop worker at Bath Old Books also agreed tourism is back in the city - but people have less money, which means business is stagnant.

Though they said as the unique shop has been in the city for decades, its reputation means it will be able to remain.

They said: "We are doing OK."

"It could be better - but people have less to spend."

"But we have a lot of local regulars who come in, and lots of tourists - this is a small business, and we could always do with more, but it is niche."

"It has been here a long time, and it will most likely remain that way."

You can visit Natasha's store: https://www.hiddenstore.co.uk/shop