Fierce competition from a chain coffee shop has forced the owner of a neighbouring independent cafe to put his business up for sale.

Coffee Approach, in High Street, Great Missenden, is listed for sale on the Daltons Business website with a leasehold price of £165,000 and an annual turnover of £260,000.

However, in June Costa Coffee opened next door to the independent business.

Villagers set-up a petition titled Great Missenden Against Costa to campaign against the chain opening, because campaigners said the village ‘prides itself on independent businesses’ such as Coffee Approach.

However, because the site was a Chinese restaurant planning permission was not needed for a change of use, but Chiltern District Council did grant permission for signage.

Owner of Coffee Approach Kevin Galvin had planned to turn the space into an Italian restaurant, but he was beaten to it by Costa.

Mr Galvin, who has run Coffee Approach for two and a half years, today told getbucks that Costa has taken its toll on his business and for that reasons he has decided to cut his losses and move on.

He added: “I’d be lying if I said Costa hasn’t effected my trade, so rather than wait it out I decided it time for me to sell-up.”

After Costa’s announcement earlier this year, villagers were angry that the site chosen was next to an already well-established, independently run coffee shop.

They are now saddened by the news of its closure.

Mr Galvin said: “A lot of them are heartbroken. I’ve been here two and a half years and it’s the hub of the community. People are really cheesed off.”

Mr Galvin said he will remain at Coffee Approach until a sale is completely.

The site has A5 planning permission, which means it could remain as a cafe or could even become a restaurant.

Mr Galvin added: “It’s early days yet, so I’ll be here until it’s sold. I can’t see anything happening before Christmas, so I’ll just keep plodding along doing breakfasts until a contract is signed and sealed.”

Mr Galvin believes after he sells-up he will go back to his day job of being a policeman.

Are you said to see Coffee Approach on the market? Post your comments below.