Thousands of small stores are doomed after a Government watchdog approved supermarkets’ expansion plans, it was claimed last night. Community groups fear that city centres will become ghost towns as the ‘big four’ – Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons – move to extend their empires. The proposals are expected to speed the closure of small independent outlets, which are already being lost at a rate of more than 2,000 a year.

Brian Mascall, manager of the twice-monthly farmers market, said: ‘the centre of Salisbury now has almost no retail life – they just can’t seem to survive. ‘Everything is based on the outskirts, where the supermarkets are.’

The chamber of commerce’s president, Ian Hudson, added: ‘Putting a large store on the outskirts of the city pulls people away from the centre and other shops follow to take advantage of the extra shoppers there – it is a domino effect. ‘We are starting to see a few business closures.’ (Daily Mail 16/02/08)

If the supermarkets are hurting your business and you want to fight back, contact ORCA now on 0845 270 1128