Critics say that the supermarket giant is swamping suburbs in the south-west of the city, jeopardising existing businesses.

Steve Carroll, who runs a Londis convenience store opposite the site earmarked for the latest Tesco Express, the former Parkhead garage in Ecclesall Road South, said: "We are concerned.

"At Totley, a neighbouring convenience store shut within 12 months of Tesco opening. It already has so many branches – how many more do we need?

"My shop already provides an important convenience to the people of Parkhead and we've invested to ensure residents get good service and competitive prices. There's also a Spar nearby.

"The only extra thing Tesco wants to provide is opening till 11pm, which will cause disturbance through people buying drink late at night."

Tesco says that it is meeting a need for neighbourhood 'top up' shopping throughout the day and part of the night, recently convincing councillors to approve a Tesco Express on the site of the former Autoworld car showroom at the corner of Abbeydale Road and Bedale Road, despite widespread opposition.

The council must now decide whether to approve the Parkhead application.

Local councillor Sylvia Dunkley said it is causing "huge concern" in the community because it could undermine the viability of existing shops and because of the expected noise from air conditioning units and waste bins.

The traffic and road safety implications are "horrendous," added Coun Dunkley.

Large delivery lorries would be parked in an area where there are many junctions and access points.

John Mayo, who lives next-door-but-one to the proposed Tesco, said: "Lewis Hamilton would have difficulty beating some of the cars that already drive along here.

"Add an articulated lorry making deliveries to Tesco and you can set your clock by the number of accidents there are going to be."

Another neighbour, Penny Burnham, said: "When the site was a petrol station there were many accidents with cars pulling in and out.

"One woman was killed and a little boy had his skull fractured."


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