A CAUTIOUS welcome has been given to a new store planned for Caterham on the Hill's shopping centre.
Two vacant shop sites would be merged into one to create a new Co-op store in Raglan Precinct, with a cash machine attached.
The plan centres on a former furniture store which is among a handful of empty premises in the centre.
News of the scheme has been largely welcomed by the area's county councillor John Orrick, who lives in nearby Chaldon Road.
He said: "Anything which keeps the shopping district vibrant and means fewer empty shops must be a good thing.
"And for a national organisation to show faith in Caterham can only be good news.
"But I'm not sure how many food retail stores that locality can support.
"There's already one in the precinct, and three others nearby."
Sally Skinner, who lives in neighbouring Auckland Road, said: "We have a fairly elderly population around here so having a new store almost on their doorstep would be welcome.
"There are already some convenience stores around here but they aren't particularly large.
"They tend to be quite expensive and offer limited stock.
"Raglan Precinct looks a bit tired and old-fashioned nowadays.
"Having empty shops allowed to just remain vacant would leave the place dying."
Nathan Sykes, from the scheme's Yorkshire-based planning agents, said: "The improvements should add confidence and investment to the area.
"The building will enhance the rest of the precinct.
"The site is in a well-established area of Caterham."
Mr Sykes said a new store should not create any parking problems because drivers would stop off only briefly, and most of its shoppers would walk there.
There was a Co-op store in the shopping centre for several years.
Based on the site of the current Nisa convenience, the former Co-op closed down in 2006.
