A PETITION has been launched in St George against the planned opening of a new Tesco store.

Around 800 residents living in and around Bell Hill Road have signed the petition to stop a Tesco Express store opening in the former Bell pub, pictured.

Some householders have received a letter from the supermarket chain inviting them to a private meeting on Monday to discuss the proposed store. Many people feel the shop is not needed and will kill off local trade.

But Tesco have told the Evening Post the convenience store is the 'final element' in bringing the Bell back into use and helping to overcome anti-social behaviour issues that have impacted the community in the past.

The former pub is owned by developer Damaran Ltd.

Tesco claim the developer has been 'regenerating' the rundown pub over the last nine months, including restoring the roof, making the building structurally sound and creating four flats above the pub.

The supermarket-chain agreed a lease on the unit before Christmas and a spokeswoman said the company has been engaging with MP for Bristol East Kerry McCarthy, ward councillors and community representatives over the last three months.

Planning permission is not needed to convert the former pub into a convenience store but an application for works on the shop's frontage, signage and cash machine has been submitted to Bristol City Council and is currently pending consideration.

Leslie Niblett, 61, who lives in Battenburg Road, told the Post: "We don't need a Tesco here - there's a Tesco Metro just down the road. It will kill off all of the local trade and will do nothing for the community.

"So far there's been no consultation with residents - we didn't even know a planning application had gone in. I don't understand how Tesco can get away with it."

Kelvin Starr, 55, who lives in Bell Hill Road, said: "I've received a letter from Tesco inviting me to a 'private drop-in session' on Monday to discuss the company's plans for a store. It all seems very underhanded. In the letter it tries to convince us of the positives of having a Tesco in the street.

"It says it'll boost local business, which is laughable really.

A spokeswoman told the Post that some residents had written letters of support for the store and said the shop would sell different products to other shops in the road, such as fresh fruit and vegetables and freezer food. She said the store would also open longer on Sundays and would create about 20 new jobs for local people.

She said: "We've been very pleased to receive messages of support from local residents who simply want to be able to buy fresh food and vegetables on their doorstep. There is also strong interest in the job opportunities on offer. We are continuing to engage with the local community and looking forward to meeting further residents next week."