A funeral directors has warned a new parking zone may force it out of Epsom after 80 years because its bereaved clients can no longer park outside.

W. A. Truelove and Son Ltd, the only business in Church Road, Epsom, is an independent, family-run company which has been operating on the site since the 1930s.

But the introduction of residents’ parking in a number of roads around the town centre, including Church Road, on June 1, may sound its death knell.

Epsom Council has refused to issue it with any residents’ parking permits because it is a business.

This means that clients who come to make funeral arrangements or visit loved-ones in its chapel cannot park on the road outside between 9am and 5pm on weekdays while the parking restrictions are in force.

The council, which is responsible for enforcing the permits, has sold it 120 temporary visitors’ permits for £240 on a one-off basis. 

Truelove has been told that it will not be able to buy any more once they run out - and it has already used 10 in the first week of the month.

Steve Lapper, general manager at Truelove, said: "This will have a catastrophic effect on our business as many of our clients are elderly and recently bereaved and can’t be expected to park a long distance away, and we don’t want to put time limits on them because residents’ parking is in force. 

"We can have two or three clients here at any one time who will need parking.

"It may be that we would have to move or close down this particular branch."

He said Truelove was looking for a "compromise" and is happy to pay for three residents' parking permits.

Mr Lapper added: "We were here before the parking restrictions. 

"Residents’ parking has been forced upon us, there was no consultation with the businesses affected."

A spokeswoman for Epsom Council said that, in refusing Truelove residents’ permits, it was merely enforcing the policy of Surrey County Council (SCC).

A SCC spokeswoman said it does not currently issue business permits in the area but "could consider it if there is sufficient demand".

She added: "We installed a bay limited to one hour's parking in the side road next to Mr Lapper’s business specifically for his clients.

"There is an exemption enabling vehicles directly involved in the business to park outside for as long as can reasonably be expected to carry out their work, so there will be no enforcement against hearses.

"We will be reviewing the changes after a few months as we always do to see if any changes are needed."

MP Chris Grayling said: "Of course Epsom needs sensible parking restrictions, but the council also needs to be very careful about the impact of any change on local small businesses."

Is your business affected by the new parking zone? Leave a comment below or email Hardeep Matharu on hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.