TESCO LOOKING TO EXPAND

Lewes District Council officers confirmed that they had received preliminary planning documents for an extension from the giant company.

They were not able to go into detail because the scheme is not yet in the public domain.

But local carpet trader David Quinn was aware of the scheme and said it should be opposed as it would turn what is at present essentially a food store into one also able to sell electrical goods, homeware, clothes and other products, putting undue pressure on independent businesses in Lewes.

High Street tobacconist Stephen Catlin said: 'It looks like Tesco wants all the Lewes business for itself.

'I lament the sort of domination these stores exert on towns like ours.

'Their attitude seem to be: take it or leave it.'

Bill Collison of Bill's Store in the Cliffe said: 'It will provide unfair competition for independent traders who are the soul of the town.

'Tesco has a virtual monopoly on parking for shoppers in Lewes. Any expansion will see other traders being squeezed further.'

A Tesco spokesman was unable to comment this week.