SUPERMARKET giant Morrisons is to open a new store in Merstham.
The nationwide chain has won the right to open an M local convenience store on the former Iron Horse site off Bletchingley Road, which will bring 20 jobs to the town.
The store will be joined by three other shops and ten flats, as part of a multimillion-pound scheme to regenerate the town.
But while many residents welcomed the news, the proposals have been met with opposition by some traders in Portland Drive, who face losing their businesses.
In the plans, put forward by Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Surrey County Council and Raven Housing Trust, the existing parade of 21 shops and 42 flats is to be demolished and replaced with new homes.
Munir Akhtar, who runs the Triguard hardware store and is planning to retire before the development is completed, said residents would miss the variety.
He said: "People spend a few pence more here but it's always worth it. They don't want to drive to Homebase or Redhill, it would cost them more money. Is Morrisons going to bring these sorts of things? It's just fruit and vegetables. A lot of elderly people are worried."
Owner of Merstham Tandoori Rois Amiah said the borough council was "not concerned about community spirit".
"I'm disappointed and worried," he added. "After 25 years am I going to get anything?"
Melvut Tezgel, who works at Portland Cafe, said he didn't want to move his business to somewhere else in Merstham as he would not get the same footfall.
"Everyone comes down here, meeting here, talking, chilling out," he added.
"For the residents [regeneration] is good but for the shops it's not good."
But Wood Street resident Hannah O'Brien told the Mirror: "It can't hurt having investment and jobs. All these shops are family businesses but they're small businesses, they can't offer jobs."
The borough council's planning chief Councillor Natalie Bramhall said: "The Morrisons M local store will give Merstham residents much easier access to essential groceries and fresh produce at affordable prices.
"We also welcome the employment opportunities it will provide. These things were very important to us in choosing who the new convenience store provider would be."
Stephen O'Connell, acquisition manager for Morrisons, said: "Fresh food will be at the heart of our offer and we will work hard to make our store a positive addition to the community."
The application to develop the Portland Drive parade of shops and flats has not yet been submitted, but two planning applications, for the Iron Horse site – which includes Morrisons – and the Triangle site – earmarked for a new community hub and restaurant units – are currently being considered by the borough council.
A decision will be made on those proposals in July. If approved, work will start in January 2015.
The Portland Drive scheme would begin once the Iron Horse and Triangle shops are up and running.
A council spokesman added: "Discussions about who will lease the other three shops, and the four new units planned on the Triangle site are well advanced and further announcements are expected soon."
