Farnham is not up for the Coppa Club as the chain has confirmed that its move to Brightwells Yard is off.

The firm dropped the bombshell last Friday to end months of speculation over its anticipated move into Brightwells House in the heart of the development.

A spokesperson told disappointed would-be customers the chain needed to “move on” as their intended opening date was pushed back by a series of delays.

The decision has left even bigger questions about the future and viability of the development as Coppa Club is the second “anchor tenant” after M&S to pull out of the scheme.

“Our original intention was to open in Farnham in 2022,” reads the firm’s statement to the Herald.

“But unfortunately, due to the very public delays to the Brightwells development, we find ourselves in 2024 still with deadlines missed and key issues outstanding.

“As a business, we have to move on.”

Rumours abounded before Christmas that Coppa Club were having second thoughts about the move amid a drop in share price and a spell of radio silence in addition to the well-publicised delays.

The Herald made repeated attempts to get a statement from the firm through various avenues while Surrey County Council, which is attempting to attract businesses to the development, said at the time that “nothing had changed” and they expected Coppa Club to honour their arrangement.

They have declined to comment in the meantime, citing an ongoing legal process, while developers Crest Nicholson have followed suit.

A spokesperson for the latter said: “Unfortunately, we are unable to make any comment due to ongoing legal matters.”

There have also been rumours that the grade II-listed Brightwells House could be split amid difficulties to secure a tenant.