Businesses given say on Tesco's plans to double size of its store

The Tesco superstore in Brigg would be one of the biggest in the region and would create 100 new jobs.

But local opinion is divided, with some businesses concerned it could kill off independent trade.

A three-day consultation carried out by consultants on behalf of Tesco at the current store, which ended at the weekend, showed the vast majority in support of the development.

However Sandy Andrews, whose shop Ink It UK sells inkjet cartridges and stationary and is just a few minutes walk from the store on Barnard Avenue, will be delivering her own forms around the town for people to fill out.

She said: "My immediate instinct was no, no, no but talking to other businesses suggests the best way forward is to gauge opinion with a questionnaire.

"The town council has been quoted as saying we need to offer choice to people in Brigg, but my question would be what happens in two years time if there are no alternatives to Tesco?"

Mrs Andrews said a strong vote against the Tesco development could be used as a basis to ask North Lincolnshire Council for a return of two hours free parking at the two council-run car parks in the town to give businesses "an even playing field."

Paul Keane, who owns Grandad's Shed, which has a fine furniture shop downstairs and a cafe bistro upstairs, said his main concern was about the new caf Tesco proposes opening in the new store.

He said he didn't think the development would bring new shoppers into the town centre: "All it will do is bring more business to Tesco."

He said: "I know there's about 13 cafe type businesses in Brigg – we don't need another one.

"It will also affect the main car parking area directly opposite my shop – they are all going to park in the free car parking not in the main car park at Brigg."

Tesco wants to build on a site currently occupied by Lidl, which is looking to move close by.

The supermarket giant currently has permission to expand its current Brigg store to 30,000 sq ft, but is now seeking permission for a 40,000 sq ft "environmental" store, with 90 more car parking spaces bringing the total number to 426. The building would be cladded in larch and generate some of its own electricity and heat.

The store would have a wider range of food than the current shop, and would sell products such as TVs, small electrical goods and a range of clothing.

A spokeswoman for Tesco, said shoppers who'd taken part in consultation were keen on women and children's clothing being sold, as well as more grocery and fresh foods.

Of the 367 who signed to register a view, just two were "undecided."

Spokesman Matt Magee said they were looking to build "a bigger and better store that will stop people leaving Brigg."

He added: "People feel at the moment that they have to leave Brigg to get what they want. With improved access to the town centre we will see more people shopping in the High Street as well – not to mention the improvements we are making on the riverside."

David Rose, the chairman of the northern Lincolnshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England said it supported moves to gauge opinion. He said: "I think the concern is because they are introducing more special services some of the existing shops might well be put out of business. The concern is that the variety and distinctive character of retail provision will diminish."

He said it was important to work with superstores to ensure they sourced products locally. He said there was evidence to demonstrate that local suppliers and traders in areas surrounding superstores "are quite seriously affected if superstores don't use locally-sourced food and other products."