The news that a “popular and well-used” coffee chain in a Marlow park has closed has been branded as “sad” and a “great shame” by residents and businesses.

Costa, in Higginson Park, closed its doors after coming to the end of its lease - four years after opening.

Marlow Chamber president Aimee Smith said it was a “shame to see yet another retailer struggle”.

She said: “From the chamber’s perspective it’s always sad to see yet another business struggling enough to have to close under the pressure of high rent rates.

“I believe that’s why they closed and I believe it is an extremely high rate building.

“It’s never good to have gaps in the town.”

The café opened in April 2014 surrounded by controversy, with objectors claiming the picturesque park views were being “ruined” by the advertising signs and branding erected around the Wycombe District Council-owned site.

Rotarian Lance Slater, who has always been vocal in his support of the shop in the park, said it was “disappointing”.

He said: “It is disappointing in that during the summer months it attracts a great crowd around there and has a lot of popular clients.

“I would guess and hope that something similar would come up there because it is such a good position and so many people use the park.

“I am sure sometime soon another company providing similar operations to the people of Marlow will take over and we will all chug on.

“It is a pity but there will be something to replace it very soon, I’m sure.

“It is a very competitive world. These things happen and we have to get on with it.”

Speaking about what could replace it, Mrs Smith said while it was better to have units occupied rather than empty, there were concerns about its sustainability.

She said: “There are concerns that if a franchise of such a popular brand can’t afford the rent then an independent business might struggle even more and we wouldn’t want that.

“We are keen to see it let but we also want to make sure that whoever takes it on can sustain it.”

And Marlow mayor Jocelyn Towns said: “It is a great shame it has closed down and we look forward to someone else taking it on, as it is so popular and well used.”

The building was leased by Paul Messenger, who ran 20 Costa stores under his franchise Coffee Snobs, including the one in West Street.