More protests as Tesco chain grows bigger

TRADERS are throwing their support behind a campaign against the expansion of an out-of-town Tesco during the same week of the store's official opening. The £5 million extension to Tesco Extra in Royston has created around 90 new full and part-time jobs. But business owners in Royston town centre, who have been fighting the further expansion of Tesco in Old North Road, are fearful about the effect on them of the extended store, which now sells many more non-food products. Many are signing up to support a campaign run by businessman Andrew Fowler against further expansion. Mr Fowler said he had handed out hundreds of leaflets during Royston's farmers' market at the weekend and had a "terrific" response. He said: "Businesses in Royston really are suffering - the town centre is a shadow of its former self. "We have to do something - anything - to stop the out-of-town Tesco from destroying our town centre trade."