A family-run store has been forced to downsize following the imminent arrival of a major superstore.

Down-sizing - Robinsons manager Kevin Day

Robinson's convenience store in Church Road, Tiptree, has been based in the village since the 1970s but manager Kevin Day is now set to turn it into a newsagents.

He will put a partition up in the middle of the shop to turn it into two units, with half acting as the newsagents and the other area free for another shop to rent.

Despite being able to continue selling papers, sweets, video and DVD hire and other basic items, it will spell the end for the sale of alcohol and frozen food there.

Mr Day, whose uncle Fred Robinson owns the business started by his father, said the decision has been made because he just cannot compete with the forthcoming Tesco store.

He said: "I am sad about having to downscale because we have been in the village so long. I do not really have much choice but I think I will keep a lot of my regular customers.

"I think a lot of the independent shops, the bakery, the flower shop, will be clobbered."

The changes to the shop are due to take place over the Queen's Golden Jubilee Bank Holiday weekend but it is not clear who will be taking on the unit next to Robinson's.

Published Monday, March 25, 2002