ANOTHER restaurant is set to open its doors in Marlow bringing the total of town centre eateries to around 15.

Business leaders, who recently mounted a campaign to stop more restaurants opening in Marlow, have expressed grave concern that the town's economic balance is now under serious threat.

The new Indian restaurant, Tiger Gardens, is set to open in October at 41, West Street, which previously housed two offices.

The owner, Abdul Rob, also runs Megna Premier, another West Street Indian restaurant.

Mr Rob originally owned a restaurant in Spittal Street but, following the Morris Place development, was forced to find temporary accommodation elsewhere in the town.

He said he had intended to move back to Spittal Street but a spokesman for landlord Michael Shanly said Mr Rob's bid for the lease was not successful.

Mr Rob said: "This will be larger and more exclusive than Megna but they will complement each other."

Colin Berks, president of Marlow Chamber of Trade and Commerce, said: "We very much regret yet another change of use to restaurant. This is destroying the economic balance of the town."

A spokesman for Michael Shanly said they were about to sign a deal with an operator to take over at the Spittal Street restaurant.

The spokesman added: "It is a high class operation and I think it will be very good for Marlow."

A spokesman for Wycombe District Council said: "A change of use from an office to a restaurant was not considered harmful because office uses don't generate the same level of retail activity as shops and restaurants."