A bid by supermarket giant Tesco to open its Wood Street, Chelmsford, store round the clock is being opposed by many of its neighbours.

People living in surrounding streets claim to have been betrayed by the company.

They argue that when it opened the superstore in 1992, it promised them minimum disturbance.

Chelmsford councillor and former Mayor Freda Mountain has pledged to support opponents of the scheme, which has been submitted to Chelmsford Borough Council for planning consent.

She maintains that the scheme is totally unacceptable and that the store is not an isolated out-of-town retail site, but is bounded by two residential roads and the Miami Hotel.

"Residents feel betrayed because of all the promises and agreements made not to open on Sundays, for instance, to give them at least one day of rest," said Mrs Mountain.

"The store now opens on Sundays and is going for round-the-clock shopping which means a constant hubbub and disturbance. I will vigorously oppose the application.

"I would like to challenge Tesco, if they have any commitment to care in the community, to take residents' concerns into account, and not their own profit."

Tesco has countered that it pioneered 24-hour shopping in Britain and always worked very closely with local residents when one of its stores extended its opening hours. There were measures to ensure minimum disturbance.

A press spokesman said: "Opening 24 hours can help relieve congestion around stores at busy times.

"Deliveries cannot be made between 10pm and 6am, and this will not change. We believe that lorries parking there during these hours are not connected with Tesco and are merely using it as a stopover.

"Round-the-clock opening would mean a full complement of security staff who could patrol the store and move on rogue drivers."

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