Businesses in Solihull fear their futures have been thrown into doubt as massive changes are made to the Touchwood shopping centre and the face of the town.
Some historic buildings in High Street are expected to be demolished as part of the major regeneration which will add a further 30 units to the shopping centre.
Borough councillors have approved the plans but some companies fear the expansion could force them out of the town.
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Among those which say they could be left with no choice but to move are Revital Health Shop, Letting Places, children's clothing shop Jurnie and Melvyn Danes estate agency.
Frank Hill, who owns Letting Places on the High Street, said his livelihood might be in jeopardy.
"My unit will be completely demolished and there has never been an alternative offered within the new plans," said Mr Hill, who has run the business in the town centre for six years along with his wife.
He described the changes made to the historic town centre as an "absolute disaster".
"My business may not be viable in the future," he added.
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"I also find it unbelievable that anything of this quality could be replacing the conservation area."
Manager of Jurnie Trish Willetts said: "I am in two minds. As a Silhillian, I think the new plans are great but we love it here and we don't want to move.
"We are just going into our third year of business and just starting to get established. Where else in Solihull are we going to find a better spot than this?
"But I understand that we have to have these changes in the town and I think it will be great for Solihull."
Graham Pearce, managing director of Pearcelegal, said his business could also be affected.
Part of his unit would be demolished, leaving some of his workforce without a place to work.
"We are a growing business and our staff has grown from nine to 22," he said.
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"If we lose this space, it is going to be difficult for us to continue in this part of the unit."
Dr Nisar Khan runs the Dental Practice Manor Square, where the unit would be turned into a new restaurant.
"We do not need more restaurants," Dr Khan said.
"But we do need a facility like the dental practice to remain in the town."
The expansion is set to bring 900 new jobs to the town, around 500 during the construction phase and 400 jobs to help run the new shops and restaurants.
Developer Lend Lease plans to demolish the two existing council buildings to make way for the 115,000 sq ft extension to the shopping centre.
The decision to approve the initial plans for the extension split Solihull council's planning committee, five votes to four.
Coun Linda Brown (Ind Blythe) described the move to demolish the existing businesses as "immoral".
But Coun Diana Holl-Allen (Con Knowle) said Solihull needed re-development.
"We have to think of our future generations here," she said.
"I can sympathise with many of the concerns raised but, at the end of the day, Solihull needs to keep up with the competitors."
Officers described the Touchwood plans as "the final fit in the town centre jigsaw".
They also said the plans had undergone many changes and revisions, as well as an extensive consultation process to address concerns raised.