New store for Tesco is 'threat to many others

Tesco wants to build the superstore on green field land at High Stakesby on the edge of Whitby under a deal with the Sisters of the Order of the Holy Paraclete.

The supermarket giant says it will create 300 new jobs. But now a study by an independent retail analyst, using planning data and Government research, points to town centre stores shutting down towns where similar Tesco stores have opened.

Richard Stankiewicz, who led the research, said: "If the Tesco store alone was built, it is of such a size that it would have the potential to close all other existing grocery outlets in Whitby town centre.

"There would be a significant loss of trade to the town centre via loss of linked trips, equivalent to a 24 per cent loss of net profit for the small traders."

Helen Barker, from the Whitby Residents Against Tesco group, said: "This research backs up everything we have been saying.

"This Tesco supermarket is simply far too big and will have a devastating impact on Whitby's shops."

A protest petition containing more than 3,700 signatures has been handed into Scarborough Council, which will make a final decision on July 29. Hundreds of people are expected to go to a public meeting at the port's Spa Pavilion on July 22.

But Tesco regional corporate affairs manager Matthew Magee said: "It's easier for people to go into town from our store, increasing custom for all businesses in the town, rather than people continuing to shop in Guisborough or Scarborough."

He added that a rival supermarket proposal would cause more damage to local trade because it was too far out.