A pair of Marlow businessmen facing eviction from the High Street plan to overcome “criminal” rent prices and bring independence back to the town.

Simon Bown and Mauro Bernesi launched their pop-up Italian food shop Bella Italia at the end of last year, offering products they claim cannot be found in bigger chains.

Like many small retailers that have left empty spaces on the thriving High Street, Bella Italia will be replaced by a business better equipped to pay full rent on a longer term basis.

However this has inspired the pairs plans to recruit other small retailers and form a “consortium of independence” to share rent, rates and staff in a bid to overcome sky high rent prices and later hope to open a food arcade in the town.

Mr Bown said: “It seems that many independent retailers are no longer able to cope with the costs of operating in Marlow.

“However the residents and visitors to the town clearly appreciate the boutique kind of services that we offer.

“We are all having the same problem so why not work together to share rents and staff?

“It would be a consortium of independence. We would share the shop with partners and it would restore the independence in Marlow.”

The next step would be to form a base of partners to launch the business, with Mr Bown urging any interested parties to come forward.

The plight of independent retailers in Marlow is no secret after David Turner from Turners was forced to move his shop off the High Street on to Station Road, with his old spot still vacant a year on.

And in February the MFP reported how Marlow is predicted to see a 58 percent rise in business rates next year – the first increase since 2008 – with residents fearing this will kill of what is left of the town’s independence.

Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, Tony Thornby, hailed the plans, saying: “A recent face to face recruitment visit of mine too many shops on the High Street revealed that a very high percentage are in fact already parts of chains.

“There is a good example of Mauro’s collaborative idea in terms of a large UK chain, Debenhams.

“My gut feel is therefore that collaborations between retail businesses with complementary offerings could work.”

One of Marlow’s biggest property giants, Sorbon Estates, insisted it continues to welcome independent stores in to the thriving town.

Chris Naylor, asset management director at Sorbon Estates, said: “Marlow’s high street continues to be a thriving retail and leisure destination, and there are a number of exciting new retailers coming to the town.

“Track Coffee, an independent barista, and Office Shoes are two of our new tenants which we believe will enhance the town, and represents our commitment to supporting the important mix of independent businesses and suitable chains.”