The Beazley's Meats proprietor, who has been at the water tower end of High Street for 17 years, this week put the ‘For Lease’ sign in his window after relocating to Morrison Street, Wodonga.

Mr Beazley said High Street was increasingly difficult for customer access and the 20km/h shared zone plan would add to frustrations.

“Things are changing in High Street, with our sort of business there's not too many in main streets – they are all on the outer sites which is fair enough,” Mr Beazley said.

“(The council) want people to sit and look around and have a coffee or look in a book shop or a dress shop.

“They don't want people who rush into a shop and rush out and want to keep going.”

Mr Beazley, 53, has 18 months remaining on his lease, but he is keen for a replacement tenant to be found as soon as possible.

He began his career in High Street as a 15-year-old apprentice at Jensen's Meats and apart from a 10-month stint in Albury his entire working career has been on the Wodonga thoroughfare.

Mr Beazley believes the shared zone will fail because it will deter traffic and therefore customers.

“It's strip shopping, so it should be left as strip shopping,” he said.

“It's not a shopping centre, like a plaza, and that's why the tenants want to keep it that way.”

Nearby High Street retailer, Wodonga Jewellers owner David McWaters said he was saddened at Mr Beazley's exit.

“It's disappointing,” Mr McWaters said.

“There's another retailer out of High Street and High Street is quickly becoming a ghost town.

“If you walk up and down you can see empty shops, left, right and centre.

“It seems the council has focussed on making High Street beautiful rather than functional.”

Mr McWaters said he would not rule out leaving his premises if roadwork tied to the shared zone, which he supports, impeded business.