OPPONENTS of plans to turn an historic pub into the Lowestoft area’s fourth Tesco store claim there is a “groundswell of opinion” against the company’s “unnecessary expansion” in the town.

The supermarket giant announced two weeks ago that it had secured the lease on the Tramway Hotel on London Road, Pakefield, and proposed to turn the building into a new Tesco Express store.

But its plans have prompted a wave of objections, with scores of people signing a petition opposing the move.

Paul Hobbs, chairman of the Promoting Pakefield Group, said one petition was taken to the Seagull Theatre on Saturday night and audience members immediately filled two A4 sheets.

“There is a groundswell of opinion, not against Tesco per se but the unnecessary expansion in Lowestoft,” he said.

“People are saying we have enough Tesco stores – other businesses should have a fair crack.”

“We are asking people not only in Pakefield but in Lowestoft to register their protest at the unnecessary expansion by making their own petitions, which simply say ‘We are against the expansion of more Tesco outlets in Lowestoft and particularly in Pakefield’ – and to get signatures and drop them into the Ferini Art Gallery.”

Mr Hobbs added: “The Tramway Hotel is a pivotal – cornerstone – centrepiece, if not the focus of Pakefield.

“To consider changing the fa�ade or the building in any way which does not enhance Pakefield would be disastrous.”

A Tesco spokesman said the company was keen to engage in drawing up its plans and that its proposals would help “secure the future” of the Tramway Hotel.