Twice the size at Tesco?

A MULTI million pound scheme to double the size of Clevedon's Tesco supermarket has been revealed.The new store, which will back onto Southern Way, will be 5,588 square metres, compared to the existing 2,535 square metre store.The current supermarket will continue to trade while the new store, which will have 602 parking spaces, is built.The existing Labcaire and Bradshaw sites will form part of the new Tesco site, with both companies relocating to new premises in due course should the supermarket giant's application be successful.Access to the new store will be from the existing roundabout at Kenn Road with the store being relocated from its current site so it backs onto Southern Way.The expansion plans will see a further 150 jobs created in the town.The current store was built 11 years ago and Tesco chiefs say the upgrade is needed to offer customers a better shopping experience with new lines being offered including clothing and electrical goods.Tesco corporate affairs manager Felix Gummer said: "Since the store opened it has become extremely popular for weekly shopping trips and is currently over-trading with severe in-store congestion at peak times."Additionally the store suffers operational storage problems, limiting the availability of stock on the shelves."Most of the issues that currently hinder the existing store's performance will be addressed with the new store."The improvements to the internal layout will afford customers a more comfortable shopping experience with wider aisles and more tills."The new store will also have an in-store bakery and more fresh produce.Tesco's home shopping service - Tescodot.com - is also being extended at the store with the depot increasing in size to house four delivery vans.The new store will also have a petrol station and car and jet washes.Plans on whether the store will operate 24 hours have yet to be decided.Tesco bosses revealed their plans to councillors at a meeting of Clevedon Town Council planning and environment committee on Monday night.Committee chairman John Norton-Sealey said: "I think a new store with a better range of goods may bring more people to Clevedon and be good for the town."But I do have concerns about the impact this larger store could have on the town centre stores and this has to be carefully considered when looking at any application."Tesco will be holding a public consultation and display in Clevedon town centre and in store dates and will also be meeting with the town's Chamber of Trade and Commerce.If planning consent is agreed, store bosses hope to start work on site in 2008.