A greengrocer full of rotting food that caused a stink along New Malden High Street for nearly two months is set to be turned into a Foxtons branch.

The estate agent confirmed it was due to open at 178 New Malden High Street, where the Shree Ganesh shop had previously been.

Surrey Comet:

Rotting food that left a "health hazard" in Shree Ganesh   

Shree Ganesh closed down in December 2014 with owners leaving behind shelves of decaying bread and fruit, prompting passersby to complain about the foul smell and dubbing it a "health hazard" before Kingston Council stepped in.

Foxtons is listed on the London stock exchange and is known for its large property portfolio along with its trademark fridges containing bottled water and transparent glass office windows.

It has 58 other branches across London, Surrey and Middlesex.

A spokesman for the estate agent was unable to confirm the date of its New Malden branch opening, but did promise to employ "great local talent" and play an "active role in the community" upon arrival.

But New Malden’s independent shop owners and businesses have been left feeling uncertain about the new player on the block.

Richard Allum, partner for the New Malden branch of Kingston estate agent Parry & Drewett, has been trading in the High Street since the 1970s.

He said: "There seems to be a disproportionate amount of hairdressers and estate agents and it has become hard for individual businesses to survive.

"The question is how much of the money stays local? As a long-established estate agent you hope that the loyalty and experience of 40 years will keep us going."

Surrey Comet:

New Malden High Street has seen big chains such as Nando's and Pizza Express open in the last year

Andy Ross, who owns independent stationery shop Suttles along the High Street, said: "Foxtons is obviously a big brand name but it’s not exactly what you want on the High Street, you want shops that sell stuff.

"The good thing is a lot of those bigger companies are now seeing New Malden as a viable financial option, but it beggars belief the market share estate agents seem to have.

"The High Street is a shadow of its former self, but who is going to take the punt and open on a high street with all the doom and gloom in the media on how the high street is dying?"

Foxtons is just the latest in a line of chains and retailers that have opened up in New Malden in the past year. Portuguese peri-peri specialist Nando’s opened in December last year and Pizza Express welcomed customers into its restaurant two months ago.

Are you happy Foxtons is coming to New Malden? Send an email to letters@surreycomet.co.uk