Tesco wants to coexist with small shops

Tesco says a proper survey will be carried out before any expansion of the Douglas store.

There's concern about the proposed doubling of the floor space with the feeling it could adversely affect other local traders.

The Isle of Man Chamber of Commerce is unhappy about the scale of the planned facility and yesterday Douglas Council leader David Christian said if the expansion went ahead the capital could become a 'ghost town'.

However, Tesco's corporate affairs manager Doug Wilson says his company doesn't want to drive smaller local shops out of business (play audio file):

A public inquiry will consider Tesco's expansion plans early in 2010.