A monthly business fair in Ashford has been described as 'invaluable' by small businesses in helping them make a strong comeback after the pandemic.

The fair, held at Godinton Village Hall, gives stall owners a 'positive environment' to help each other amid 'tough times' and showcase their products and services.

Laura Jane runs Fuller Love Designs, a personalised business, which she thinks would have been forced to close after the impact of the pandemic.

"If I hadn’t gone with the fair I would’ve shut shop a long time ago," she said.

"It’s a tough world out there for small businesses, so much competition, but being involved in this fair has definitely put my business on the right foot.

"I can hand on heart say if I stopped the fair my name and brand would drop and I would be at a massive loss."

The 29-year-old from Singleton estimated that about 70% of her customers come from the fair as well as repeat custom which she doesn't get from using her other online selling tool Etsy.

"With 70% of business coming because of the fair I just couldn’t have afforded materials to continue [if I stopped going to the fair].

"It’s a very hard world out there for anyone, but us small businesses cop it a lot."

Fellow small business owner Margaret West said she had to close when the pandemic hit due to the nature of her business but the fair has given her the chance to build her business back up.

"When covid stuck everything for me closed down," she said.

"My company consists of holistic therapy and beauty as well as other things. So no people, no business.

"I think the fair has began to bring everyone back to life, especially for those who are still struggling to pick up where they left off.

"There is a great camaraderie with the stall holders, and each one has a story of how their business struggled."

She added that the advertising that she has been able to do at the fair has been 'invaluable' to her due to the nature of her business.

"I sell beautiful therapeutic crystals as jewellery and to have in the home. It’s nice for people to see my digital store items in real life and sales have started to go up."

She also mentioned that amid the cost of living crisis, 'people are looking for something to lift their mind and spirit' as well as being affordable - which she said her products are.

"I don’t think this is just a fair, I think it’s an emergence of small businesses pulling together, to help each other and themselves."

The fair was launched in April by business owner Claire Thomas.

Mrs Thomas, 36, decided to start the fair after struggling to find an event which any small business can attend. She runs a craft business called 'Crafty Claire' as well as an Avon site.

"Any business, in any industry can take part," she said.

"It’s brilliant because it gives you that opportunity to speak to others in the same boat and swap tips and ideas of boosting.

"I think because everyone’s so supportive and we all cheer each other on across the hall, it’s just a really nice and welcoming environment."

The Singleton resident said that like any business, she is always wanting to grow so the monthly fair is a great way of doing this.

"I also know it's helped some much newer businesses grow their confidence and get their brand out there which is amazing.

"We are all there to support each other and I know many stallholders are passionate about the fair and its growing potential."

The event is free entry and the next fair takes place on September 3 from 12:30pm to 3:30pm at Godinton Village hall.