Leading figures in Marlow have expressed concern for town businesses after it emerged Sunday opening hours for bigger stores could be extended.

A government consultation is under way which would give Wycombe District Council the power to select which parts of their area would benefit from extending opening hours, if it gains support, allowing them to boost their high streets.

However, Marlow councillor Richard Scott asked how such a movement would affect smaller businesses.

He said: “Because the decision would lie with the district council the main question would be is if bigger stores in High Wycombe were allowed to extend their opening hours, what would this mean for smaller businesses in, say, Princes Risborough or Marlow?”

Tony Thornby, from the Marlow Chamber of Commerce fears that the plans could "squeeze" local businesses if they go ahead.

He said: “The negatives for smaller shops, like those we have in Marlow, would be greater than the benefits. The business would get sucked out of the smaller shops by those that can afford to stay open longer.

“Bigger names would get bigger and smaller ones would get squeezed. If you know you can go to where all the big names are for longer, and then people will take advantage.

“It would be incredibly expensive for smaller shops to extend their hours because they would need more staff, and the bigger organisations would be able to do this with ease.”

Julie Cooper, from D&J news on West Street has noticed a strain on her business since a Sainsbury’s store opened opposite her shop, and was concerned towards how shops staying longer elsewhere would affect her.

She said: “Everything is going corporate but there is nothing we can do about it. I’ve been here 35 years and saw my sales go down when Sainsbury’s across the road opened so there’s a big chance if could affect Marlow if people decide to head to somewhere like Wycombe to shop.

"I don’t see the need for it and I don’t understand why people head to the bigger stores.”

Bernard Burger, from Burger’s bakery in Marlow, said it would not affect his own business, but said: “I can’t see this having any direct effect on us because we have our own control over hours. However it’s typical in this country that wants to take advantage of the lower paid people in retail and make them work longer, so I’m dead against it.”

Jacqueline Ford, from Wycombe District Council said: “From our point of view we would welcome local flexibility to decide, but it will be interesting to see how we would come to a view locally on this, as the views of local businesses (and the BID in High Wycombe) would be important, but so would what our neighbours would do as well, given the ease of access to other town centres."

The government are looking for responses from local businesses by September 16.