Businesses may finally start moving into a recession-hit shopping parade after Tesco expressed an interest in building a store there.

Hundreds of residents in the new Livingstone Park estate, in Epsom, have had to cope without any shops nearby because units at the Horton Centre, in Horton Crescent, have remained empty for more than a year since they were built.

Councillor Julie Morris, leader of Epsom and Ewell’s Liberal Democrat Group, said Tesco’s interest was “really good news” for neighbouring families, along with people living in Manor Park and Clarendon Park.

She said: “I’m not sure what the rental was, and whether that’s been a barrier. If you put that alongside the fact we’ve been in a recession, it’s been very difficult for small or independent shop owners to have the means to take on a unit like that because the banks haven’t been lending any money.

“It takes a big player to be bold enough to take on one of the units there. What we hope with Tesco is the other units will become more attractive as a business proposition.”

Tesco has applied to the council’s licencing committee for permission to sell alcohol at the shopping parade.

Coun Morris said she did not believe the supermarket chain’s arrival would intimidate smaller stores from setting up next door.

She added: “If you want a good mixture of shops, if you get something like a Tesco Express what tends to happen is you get perhaps a hardresser and specialist shops.

“What we probably wouldn’t get is greengrocers and grocery shops.

“Tesco would become the anchor of the parade and that hopefully would draw in other retailers and services for the community.”

Councillor David Buxton, who lives in the Livingstone Park estate, said he was sure residents would welcome a Tesco store.

He added: “We hope Tesco will come so that they can walk to the shop to get their newspapers, food and drinks, rather than having to get the car out to drive to the nearest shop.”

A spokeswoman for Epsom and Ewell Council said: "An application from Tesco for a new premises license was received on October 11 and is now in the consultation period.

"During the 28-day consultation period a public notice is displayed at the premises and an advertisement is placed in the local newspaper."