Fears for the future of Marlow’s unique town centre are growing after two long-standing family businesses were forced to move in response to soaring market prices.

Iconic dress shop Jolliffes this weekend waved goodbye to Marlow after more than 45 years, with founder Geoff Jolliffe unable to find another affordable premises in the town.

And Skiwear shop Turners - based on the High Street for over two decades - has relocated to Station Road after crippling rent charges forced the hand of owners David and Lynda Turner.

Mr Turner, who celebrated the 23rd anniversary of his shop in February, admitted its High Street rent renewal from Shanly-owned Sorbon Estates rocketed.

The trader, who opened the fashion store when he was 28, ruled out paying the market rate and claims rent on nearby Station Road is "much fairer".

His former landlord Sorbon Estates - owned by the Shanly Group - has responded to fears over the future of independent stores in town, saying it tries hard to ensure a "healthy" mix.

And though Mr Turner says is he is confident the new shop off the beaten track will be a success, he fears for the number of sole traders being able to afford spiralling rents in future.

He said: "The problem is a lot of places just can’t afford the market rents. If some of the big boys come in and are prepared to pay a certain level it has a knock on effect.

"With market rents someone can always afford it but independents can’t. The costs involved are huge.

"It is a big problem, but the question is how do you balance it?

"People come here because of the river and the town, but they also come here because of the good mix of retailers.

"If Marlow ends up looking like any other High Street, fewer people will come.

"But you still feel Marlow should be able to come through this and be able to offer what people want in town. Marlow people are wonderful and we have a lot of loyal customers."

Jolliffes has stood at its Chapel Street home since the 1960s and is instantly recognisable to Marlovians.

But the family firm are moving to Wooburn Green after a fruitless search to find a premises in Marlow they could afford.

Mr Jolliffe said: "We would like to have stayed in Marlow, we didn't want to sell but with the recession it wasn't viable to carry on here.

"We wanted to find somewhere in Marlow but everywhere seems too expensive, it's been almost impossible.

"It's such a shame we can't find somewhere in Marlow but unless you're making huge profits it's very difficult.

"But our customers are very loyal so that's the best bit of it."

Jolliffes will be taken over by 71-year-old Mr Jolliffe's daughter Rachel Jolliffe after he decided to retire She said: "We'd like to reassure customers we are still going strong.

"It's sad, Marlow prides itself on its unique mix of businesses. It's a real bone of contention in town I know."

Turners' High Street departure caused an outcry among residents, with many sharing Mr Turner's fears over the future of retail in Marlow.

Residents took to social media to vent their frustrations at what they see as the decline in quality on the High Street as more independent stores shut up shop.

Chris Bailey wrote: "Whilst we obviously don't know both sides of the story, on the surface this doesn't look good.

"I'm certainly far less proud of the High Street when 'showing off' Marlow to people who haven't been here before.

"I guess this is partly a sign of the times, but we really do seem to be heading towards a characterless town centre full of chains."