Shop owners in Southfields are up in arms over a proposal by Sainsbury's to locate a new store near its thriving independent retail district.

Residents and business owners were outraged by the proposal which they felt would be detrimental to the area and will force independent shops to close.

Hitesh Patel, 50, who works at John Walkers on Replingham Road, is fiercely opposed to the plan and has been involved in a 2,000-strong petition to halt the process.

He said: “This would be completely out of character for the town. I have lived here since 1977 and it would ruin this area.”

Mr Patel believes the store would only be detrimental to Southfields and will offer no solid work to residents.

Southfields is known for a host of small independent shops and the thought of using three shops to create a new Sainsbury's has not been welcomed.

At a planning meeting last week the plans for the new store opening were put on hold which thrilled residents however Sainsbury's has assured the public that they want to work alongside them so that both parties will benefit.

A Sainsbury's spokesman said: “We are aware that concerns have been raised locally and as a result we have contacted local groups who have expressed an interest in our plans to offer them a meeting.

“We are keen to work with the community to make sure our potential store fits into the local area well and complements other traders and businesses.”

Despite assurances from Sainsbury's Mr Patel has stressed that the look of the town is not the only issue they have with the proposal.

He said: “Shops like Sainsbury's do the news, the lottery, the groceries, everything, so we'll go out of business.”

Proposals have been placed on hold for now, but shop owners have vowed to plan more action if the proposals go ahead.