Epsom has been given a "vote of confidence" after healthcare chain Nuffield Health announced it is set to bring its headquarters and more than 400 staff to the town.

Nuffield Health, which runs hospitals, gyms and clinics, will move from New Malden to the Epsom Gateway building in Ashley Avenue in December.

The UK’s largest healthcare charity has let about 40,000 sq ft of Threadneedle’s Epsom Gateway building, which was built by engineering company Atkins during the 1980s. Atkins still retains office space in the building.

Epsom and Ewell Councillor Clive Woodbridge, chairman of the Residents’ Association group, said: “It’s a vote of confidence in Epsom that a company of that size should want to have its headquarters in our town.

“We have a lot of office space available and hopefully this will be a positive sign of things to come.”

He said having several hundred office workers in town would act as an “economic stimulus” for retailers and businesses.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Julie Morris welcomed Nuffield Health to Epsom, saying: “It’s really good news because we need to keep our offices as occupied as possible to ensure the town thrives.

“The people who come into the town will hopefully improve its economic vitality generally.”

A Nuffield spokeswoman said there will be limited job creation but moving forward they would look to recruit from the community.

She said: “We chose Epsom as we believe it will provide a great place for everyone to work, is within reasonable proximity to our current location and is flexible enough for us to create innovative work spaces.”

David Beddows, general manager at the Ashley Centre, said: “I think we should be celebrating. It shows a confidence in Epsom and brings more people in. It’s about time we had some positive news.”

Stile Harold Williams and Hanover Green were letting agents on behalf of Threadneedle.

Mark Skelton, of Stile Harold Williams, welcomed Nuffield Health as turning the tide after a period of not “particularly good news” with occupiers downsizing.

He said: “It’s just what the town needs, some new blood.” William Oldrieve, graduate surveyor at Hanover Green, said Nuffield Health was paying about £22 per sq ft on a 15-year lease.

Nuffield Health treats almost half a million patients every year across its 31 hospitals. The charity has 65 fitness and wellbeing centres, 200 corporate facilities and 20 medical clinics.