Tesco 'will kill us off, definitely' (From Surrey Comet)

Walton Tesco 'will kill us off, definitely'

11:30am Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Elmbridge By Louise Robertson

Tesco has confirmed it wants to open a new store in Walton by Christmas, leading to fears independents will be forced out of business.

The supermarket giant plans to open an Express convenience store at 143 Hersham Road, the former Hersham Hardware site.

The plans have been met with mixed feelings by locals and businesses along the Halfway.

Sony Thakkar, an employee at Walton Food and Wine, said: “This will kill us off, definitely.

"There is lots of competition down here already, with two petrol stations and newsagents, but with Tesco a few steps away it will be dead for us.

“We are really angry because we have put everything in to this business. The council should never have allowed this.”

Elmbridge Council granted outline planning permission for a three-storey block on the site, containing two retail units and 14 flats, in January this year.