Work on the new Tesco store in Churchdown is well under way, leaving those who opposed it resigned to its arrival.
Development work is going strong on the old Hurrans Garden Centre site in Cheltenham Road East, with doors at the new supermarket expected to open before Christmas.
Councillors granted planning permission despite more than 200 protesters voicing their concerns over the impact Tesco would have on the local economy when the plans were first revealed three years ago.
County councillor Bill Whelan (Lib, Churchdown) said:
I think everyone in the area is just waiting for it to be finished now. The roadworks they have already done were for the utilities, but I believe more are on the way too. Some of the local shops may suffer but independents can survive as they offer a unique experience. One positive is that they are looking to recruit locally.
The store, on the former Hurrans Garden Centre site, has been described by Tesco as ‘entry level’, rather than a Metro or Express. The application was passed by Tewkesbury Borough Council despite more than 250 objection letters.