"SHOP locally or wave goodbye to your high street."
This is the stark warning from Oxted's Chamber of Commerce chairman – as his wife's business closed down after 13 years in the town.
Paul Dashwood has told the Mirror that more residents need to spend their cash in the town to ensure the survival of its independent businesses.
"Smaller businesses rely on local people spending their money in their shops," he said.
"But at the moment that doesn't seem to the case. I think everyone is tightening their purse strings.
"The recession has hit us personally and my fear is that our high streets will have fewer independent shops as competition from superstores, out of town shopping centres and the internet increases."
Fiona Dashwood Couture, a luxury bridal and occasionwear boutique in Station Road East, closed its doors on February 8.
"It is simply because rents, rates and other overheads were too high for us and the banks are still not supporting small and medium size businesses," said Mr Dashwood.
"The business was no longer sustainable in the current climate.
"Having to close any business is a very difficult decision. Fiona's boutique has been a much-admired part of Oxted for the last 13 years, and leaving such a wonderful community is a huge disappointment for us."
Mr Dashwood said that it had been an emotional blow, not only for his wife, Fiona, who did not want to talk about the shop's closure, but to the five loyal and talented members of staff whom she had to make redundant.
He added: "When you work somewhere for so long, it can be a massive blow and she is feeling a little unsettled about it, because it had become like a second home to her. We'll miss it.
"Fiona has a great reputation as a designer and has built up long-term relationships with her clients, so who knows what the future will hold for her?
"However, compared to many other small towns, Oxted remains a vibrant shopping destination, and still benefits from free parking.
"Retail units never remain vacant for very long, and I hope it won't be too long before a new business will be welcomed to the town."
