Queues are already forming for a potential new Tesco Express store - even though it has not yet been agreed.

Earlier this year, the store chain was refused permission to knock down an existing shop at a former Save petrol station in London Road, Benfleet, and build the Express store in its place.

However, Tesco has now applied to Castle Point Council for a certificate of lawfulness to be able to move in and trade from the shop on the site as it stands.

The firm is "still reviewing" other options such as appealing against the decision not to let it demolish and rebuild the shop.

A spokeswoman said: "We had a lot of support in Benfleet. We sent out leaflets to try to gauge the feeling of local people, like we always do. We found that 94 per cent of the people who replied, wanted a store there. I also got lots of phone calls and quite a lot of people asking for jobs there.

"They still ring me now about it. If we traded from the existing store on the site, it wouldn't be the best offer we could give to local people.

"That's why we wanted to build a new one. We are very interested in opening there because we think it is a prime location. I'd like to thank people for their support."

Published Tuesday, April 29, 2003

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