Protest at Tesco expansion plans
People living in the town have launched the Stop Tesco Expansion campaign ahead of any proposals to increase the size of the store at Southern Way being submitted to North Somerset planners.
Campaigners have joined forces with Clevedon's Chamber of Trade and Commerce group to draw up a battle plan.
Members of the Stop Tesco group fear, that if plans are submitted and approved, it will sound the death knell for scores of small businesses in the town centre.
A website has now been set up at www.tescoexpansion.info for people to log onto and support the campaign.
A leaflet has also been designed outlining the impact of a bigger store which will be distributed across Clevedon should expansion plans be revealed.
Campaign leader Geoff Gardner said: "We are not anti-Tesco, but we are anti- expansion.
"Any moves to increase the size of this store would decimate the town centre and could force many shops out of business.
"If it were an out of town development, it may be different, but this store is right in the centre of Clevedon.
"It may be that with the increased competition, a lot of small businesses may think it is no longer worth trading and shut up shop."
Mr Gardner said residents living near the store were also concerned about the extra traffic and noise a larger store could bring.
Mr Gardner, aged 58, of Blackthorn Square, said: "People who live near the store already suffer problems with noise from deliveries. This will only get worse if the store is allowed to expand.
"I am also concerned about the amount of extra traffic a development such as this could create.
"It is unlikely that residents would get any peace."
Tesco bosses initially submitted plans to build a new store, on its existing site at Kenn Road, in December 2006. But the plans for the supermarket, which would have been built on the existing car park and backed onto Southern Way, were withdrawn following a wave of public protest.
Amended plans were then put forward to create a 6,888-square metre new store on the existing Bradshaw and Labcaire site which the supermarket giant bought for £1.3 million in November 2006, but these too were withdrawn.
Clevedon Chamber of Trade and Commerce president, David Hendey, said: "If the application that is submitted is for a substantially bigger store, the Chamber of Trade will be raising objections.
"A new, much larger store, would compete with the businesses which currently operate in Clevedon.
Tesco spokesman Dan Bramwell said: "At the moment, no application has been submitted and Tesco is reviewing its options.
"Before any new proposals are presented, if they vary from the last consultation, we would expect to consult with the local community again."
The new store would have wider aisles, a reduction in the height at which products are stocked and an increased number of checkouts to reduce queues.
An estimated 100 extra full and part-time staff would work at the store, while Labcaire, would relocate to larger, purpose-built premises in the area.
If the plans do get approved, the existing store would remain open until the building work for the new facilities is completed.
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