Independent shops in a village near Richmond have spoken out about their experiences during the Covid pandemic.

Barnes is famed for the multitude of indie-shops and eateries on its high street.

It was was ranked as having the most independent shops in the UK back in 2014 and The Local Democracy Reporting Service counted more than 40 independent businesses in the village.

But how have these businesses fared during the pandemic?

Local Democracy Reporter James Mayer heard from five different shop owners.

Simon Danciger, chair of the trustee board for the OSO Arts Centre in Barnes, said: "Being an independent, we are much more tuned into the community, much more community oriented.

"During the height of the Covid crisis during lockdown, we re-purposed the entire theatre as a production kitchen and distributed for free some 10,000s ready cooked meals."

The local theatre runs over 200 performances a year of professional music, dance and comedy.

Danciger added: "I think the people of Barnes cherish the independence of so many small local businesses."

He said that without all the independent businesses, Barnes would be a much "duller place" as independent businesses give Barnes "colour".

Mina Sheikh opened En Grain with her sister in May this year.

The shop is zero waste and sells dried food, such as grains, flour, pasta, teas, spices, crisps and confectionery.

Mina said: "We didn't feel that the pandemic was going to make a difference to us in terms of what we sell on the products – because it's a passion that we wanted to actually fulfil.

"Regardless of the pandemic, we took the plunge. We're finding that a lot of people are interested in the concept of zero waste."

Imran Haider, owner of Classy Cleaners, also spoke to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said: "During the pandemic, we were closed for a couple of weeks, then the government announced that dry cleaners can stay open.

"But when we came back, there was not much work to do. So I had to get rid of my staff."

He added: "If there was no government support, then we wouldn't have survived."

Jill Bates, owner of The Real Cheese Shop on Barnes High Street, had a more positive business experience of Covid.

Jill opened the cheese shop 30 years.

It only shut down briefly during the first Covid wave, then shortened its hours and days.

Jill said the businesses coped "very well" because "everybody's eating".

She said: "We've been very busy because the restaurants were shut so everyone was eating at home."

She believes business is slow this month because Barnes' residents are holidaying for the summer.

Sun Inn Flowers owner Jane Williams gave her experience of owning a business during multiple lockdowns.

She said: "The council shut us down, which was pretty unfair, as we are outside and a garden centre."

The shop was first opened by her mother in 1989.

Jane added: "When we were back, people were happy to see us."

Caroline Bloomfield sells second-hand clothing and antiques that are recyclable in her ethical shop of the same name.

Caroline opened her shop in October last year and has another business based in West Sussex.

When asked how her business has survived Covid, she said: "Very badly because the government grant didn't really help."

She said she got a grant for her West Sussex branch but not for her Barnes shop as it is a pop-up that she keeps extending.

Caroline said business is "good" post Covid but added: "I think London has definitely not recovered."

How has your business coped during lockdown? Let us know: DM us on Twitter or Facebook, @RichmondNubNews