Shoppers are turning away from Esher town centre because there are too many chain restaurants and a lack of independent stores, it has been claimed.

The claims were made following the news the High Street would be losing the independent men’s clothing shop Dapper and parcel delivery business Mail Boxes Etc, in place of at least one new restaurant as part of a town revamp.

Developer Millside Properties was granted permission to demolish part of the High Street between the HSBC bank and the Magnet Kitchen shop to where the 1960s Wolsey House building stands, and replace it with four larger shop or restaurant units and offices.

Joan Leifer, from Esher Residents’ Association, said: “How many restaurants do we need in Esher? The town used to be full of little shops, but now lot of people shop in Claygate instead.”

Esher resident Peter Petersons, owner of Mail Boxes Etc, said he would cease trading on Christmas Eve and move back to his other shop in Weybridge.

He said: “My concern is we are getting more restaurants and losing the smaller shops. There is already limited shopping choice in Esher as it is.”

Tony Reed, from Esher Business Guild, said he wanted to encourage smaller shops into the area, but it was a hard task due to the price of rents.

He said: “We are anxious to encourage them to move in, but the high prices only attract larger chains.”

Esher Councillor Simon Waugh said he supported the development but said in an ideal world the developers would be able to offer more smaller units.

He said: “Part of the problem with Esher is it is hard to have community facilities like a butcher when the main road goes straight through the centre of town.”