Epsom and Ewell’s new town centres manager believes the future prosperity of the borough is dependent on businesses working together to turn Epsom into a bustling market place.

Your Local Guardian:

Town centres manager Alanna Coombes discussing the future of Epsom with Organico manager Akif Kablan (far left) and Boots manager George Langridge

Alanna Coombes took over the reins in August and wants to work alongside businesses to make Epsom a pleasurable place to spend the day.

It is her job to implement Plan E - a long term strategy for improving the borough between 2011 and 2026.

Its objectives include improving leisure, cultural and recreational facilities, maintaining high-quality accommodation, and enhancing retail units in the borough.

Central to Ms Coombes' plan for improving the borough is making Epsom a Business Improvement District, in which businesses would put an additional one per cent of their business rates into a communal pot that would be spent for their collective good.

Your Local Guardian:

Alanna Coombes, town centres manager at Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

Ms Coombes also wants to make better use of Epsom’s iconic marketplace with more street food vendors and more frequent markets.

She said: "I want Epsom to be seen as a bustling market town where local people come to do their weekly shopping but stay because it’s a pleasurable place to spend the day.

"I want local residents to feel proud of their town centre and bright, enthusiastic, hard-working staff to be attracted to work here and proud to do so.

"There would always be lots going on in the marketplace, interesting shops to explore, and much-loved cafes, restaurants and bars where you can relax.

"But these are my personal views and I’ll be led by the businesses and the community - it’s their town centre and they really are the experts."

Akif Kablani, 29, manager at Organico health food shop in Kings Shade Walk off the High Street, said he was pleased to be working with the council and other businesses to improve the borough.

"Anything the council could do to support independents would be good. It would make the town more colourful and unique, as chains are everywhere anyway.

"Maybe the council could help us with online advertising.

"It could also help if the council could create more parking spaces because my customers are struggling to find spaces."

George Langridge, 42, manager of Boots in the Ashley Centre, believes there are "common problems" faced by big and small businesses alike, and so he supports a collaborative approach to improving the town.

He said: "We want to give customers a reason to go into Epsom rather than other town centres.

"If we could bring in more big retailers, that would help. Better advertising and making parking easier and cheaper would help as well.

"Getting in and out of Epsom is difficult too - the one-way system can be a bit congested.

"I think these are common problems that we have all got at the moment."

What do you think would improve the town centre? Comment below or email letters@epsomguardian.co.uk