‘It’s bleak’: string of family firms shut in Rishi Sunak’s Yorkshire seat

Business owners in Richmond, North Yorkshire, which falls within Rishi Sunak’s constituency, say everyone is struggling financially. Photograph: Richard Saker/The Guardian

Christine Swift is shutting her antiques centre in Richmond town centre with a heavy heart but insists she has no choice. “I’ve not taken any money since last Christmas,” she said.

“We’ve been £10,000 a month down. I thought, ‘OK, it might just be a blip’ but things haven’t improved. Nobody is buying.”