CAMPAIGNERS against a proposed Tesco store in north Essex say news of falling profits at the retail giant is unlikely to change their battle.

The Stour Community First Group has been monitoring plans for a Tesco supermarket on the outskirts of Manningtree since they first heard about them back in 2007. The group say they are not against Tesco itself but feel a supermarket on the scale proposed is not needed in the town.

Chairman of the group, Chris Bowden, said: “In our case, Tesco have planning permission and they own the land, so they are unlikely to abandon their plans because of a drop in profits.

“Things have changed in recent times. Not too long ago we were told work would be starting shortly and we expected to see the bulldozers arriving. Then Tesco issued a profits warning and the work was delayed.

“Now this latest news will probably mean they won’t build it at the moment but wait until the economic situation improves. The threat still hangs over us.”

Under current planning conditions laid out by Tendring District Council, Tesco has until November 2014 to begin work before their permission expires.

Mr Bowden added: “I’d be very surprised if they let the application expire. They will either seek to renew it or put forward a new application. What we have to guard against is Tesco submitting a new application for a larger supermarket, which will bring them the bigger profits they are seeking.”