TRADERS TO FIGHT TESCO EXPANSION PLAN

The store, which opened in August, 1990, says it 'over-trades' at the moment and needs to expand.

But shopkeepers fear Tesco's stock of non-food items, such as CDs, books, clothes and cooking utensils, will be vastly expanded, driving another nail into the coffin of small, independent retailers.

Said Lewes Chamber of Commerce president David Quinn: 'The new part of the store, with its extended stock, would be doubling up on what the High Street already provides, but with the unfair advantage of having a free car park.

'We on the other hand have parking restrictions and charges.

'We shall oppose this scheme with all our guns blazing. This is where we small traders dig our heels in.

'With higher rents and rates, we are already working longer hours for less profit.'

Tesco has applied for planning permission to increase its retail space by 818 square metres from its current size of 2,759 square metres; and its storage area by 796 square metres from 2,144 square metres.

The company says in a report to the planning authority that the new development will create more jobs for local people.

It also says there will 'only be a very low level of trade diversion from existing businesses in the town centre'.

Should permission be granted, it promises it will review the period that shoppers are allowed to stay free in its car park in order to allow time for people to visit the town centre as well as the store.

The report continues: 'A larger store in Lewes will mean that more people will have access to a wider range of goods.'

It also says 'price sensitive' customers might well be deterred from using the Waitrose store and migrate to Tesco.

It was therefore important that its store was improved to ensure that new shoppers could be comfortably accommodated.

Tesco was unavailable for comment.