'It would be nice to smarten up the area'

Consultation seeks residents' views on the future of the town's shopping centre

Business owners are backing a regeneration plan to "freshen up" part of a town centre in Surrey.

Plans to regenerate Leatherhead town centre are being drawn up by Mole Valley District Council.

It has been asking residents for their views on the Transform Leatherhead project as part of a consultation which closes on Monday.

Jonathan Jackson, who owns The Framing Art Gallery, in Bridge Street, said: "I think there are more people coming to live here and it would be nice to smarten up the area, down by the river especially."

There are proposals for the regeneration of the Swan shopping centre and land within the town's one-way system, known as Bull Hill, as well as by the riverside.

Keira Vyvyan-Robinson, the council's cabinet member for property and projects, said local opinion is "absolutely vital" for the future of the development.

David Farmer, owner of Surrey Hills Cycle Works, in Leatherhead, said it looked like the project was "finally moving forward", having been in the works for many years.

He added: "It's a very complicated process in Leatherhead because there's so many stakeholders and so many different facets to the regeneration of the Swan Centre."

He hoped the final stage of the consultation would "push things forward".

Mr Jackson told BBC Radio Surrey he would like to see the town's "dated" Swan shopping centre "freshened up".

Cllr Vyvyan-Robinson said the next steps would be announced by Leret Partnership, the joint venture between the council and Kier Property.

"Keep an eye on our social channels in the coming months," she added.