BUSINESS owners on Warmingham Lane have hit out at Tesco Express after the stores refurbishment has forced them to shut up shop and miss out on trade.


The Tesco Express store has been closed from Sunday, July 20 while work has gone on to improve the car park in front of the store, and will re-open tomorrow, Thursday, July 31.


However the store's neighbours, who rent the property from Tesco, have also taken a hit due to the refurbishment and one business owner has spoken of his anger with the national chain.


Rob Walker, owner of Rob’s Fish and Chip Bar on Warmingham Lane, has kept his shop open but says his trade has fallen by 70 per cent and has had to shut up shop most days.

Rob said: “We have to close early most days because we just can’t trade, it’s as simple as that, one day we just opened for half an hour because we were fighting a losing battle.

“With the work going on with the car park nobody can get to us, we can’t even get deliveries in.

“I’ve been phoning up Tesco and giving them some grief because I want some kind of compensation, and it’s not just us, all the shops here can’t trade, the Chinese takeaway is really struggling as well.

“I just don’t know why they do this type of thing to people, we’ve had it before with them, they’re a big company and they can treat people how they want basically.

“They didn’t even let us know that this was happening, and to add to it, they’ve just put the rent up.”

The work being done at the property aims to refresh the look of the store and car park and will also include a refurbishment of all shop fronts including Rob’s Fish and Chip Bar.

Mark Thomas, a spokesman for Tesco, said: “Alongside our store, our neighbours at Warmingham Lane provide a great service to the community.

“Our store is undergoing a refresh, to improve the shopping experience for our customers, and this has included work to the car park.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience caused to local businesses and will be looking to meet with them to discuss their concerns. In the meantime, we welcome customers to all businesses at Warmingham Lane.”