CONCERNED customers have called on the borough council to reconsider plans to close down a popular coffee shop.
Coffee Break in Redhill High Street is due to close within weeks and customers who have been visiting for years say it will be like losing a part of the community.
But the land is earmarked for major redevelopment, with Reigate and Banstead Borough Council hoping to build a cinema, restaurant and shopping complex on the site within a few years.
As a result, it will not allow the cafe's owners to automatically renew a long-term lease.
Concerned IT trainer David Killeen, 40, said: "It's the best coffee in town by a long way. I'm absolutely gutted that it's going. It's good to be improving the town for the future but you can't just close all the local businesses in the process."
Paula Kennelly, a 43-year-old paramedic from Merstham, has been visiting the coffee shop with her parents for years. She said: "This coffee shop has got the best service and I just don't understand the decision, especially if it's going to be empty for years."
Her parents Alan Kennelly, 78, and Gloria Kennelly, 77, also said they were sad to see the cafe close and said it had become a part of the community over the years.
"It's a tragedy as far as we're concerned," Mr Kennelly said. "We come here, two, three, four times a week, the staff are very friendly. It's just the bigger chains, it seems, that are taking over everywhere."
Mrs Kennelly added: "There isn't anywhere in Redhill quite like this. It's always the small businesses that seem to be going. We just won't come to Redhill any more."
"It's concerning how many small businesses are closing down and not being replaced," said Gaylene Maisey, 62, from Whitebushes. "Lots of people use this café for business. I bring my grandchildren here and we know most of the people who come in."
Reigate and Banstead borough council has identified Redhill High Street for major redevelopment as part of the Redhill Town Centre Area Action Plan.
Council spokeswoman Claire Lapping said: "As this section of the High Street and Marketfield Way is earmarked for redevelopment we were unable to renew the lease on the same basis, with automatic renewal rights. The tenant had the option to apply to the court to challenge this. The tenant will receive statutory compensation for the loss of automatic renewal rights and was offered a new lease on more flexible terms, but he chose to take compensation and vacate the property when his lease expires later this month."
