23 March 2007, 14:31 PM
  • The people of Manningtree in Essex are making a stand against Tesco's plans to open a convenience store in its small, rural town.

With a deli, farm shop and health store already in the area, along with a Co-op and a Tesco Express, residents say they don’t need another food outlet.

With such a strength of feeling against the supermarket giant’s proposals, Tesco has been forced to wait for the results of a consultation with residents who have raised fears that local retailers will be edged out of business.

The multiple said it would “listen to local people” before forging ahead in its quest to build a store focusing on convenience retailing. And, according to the East Anglian Daily Times, North Essex MP, Bernard Jenkin, said he would do all he could to force a public inquiry if Tesco pressed ahead with its plans and residents contacted him with their concerns.

Mr Jenkin has since met with a representative from Tesco where he learned the supermarket is “very serious” about its plans but it wants to listen to residents to ensure it gets things right. Tesco has already purchased the land but a planning application has yet to be submitted. However, the strength of feeling against the development could stall Tesco’s plans as some residents are planning to stand up for their local stores.