A supermarket “turf war” is rolling on after a national chain announced it will open a new store - directly opposite its competitor.
Sainsbury’s confirmed it will open a Local convenience shop in Western Road, Hove - its seventh in the city.
The company bought the premises, which stands across the road from a Tesco Express store, last week.
It follows on from claims reported in The Argus last week that the two national chains were fighting each other for customers in Brighton and Hove.
But residents have blasted the firms for bringing the local community into its feud.
Ward councillor Paul Elgood said: “To have two national chains opposite each other seems entirely unnecessary to me.
“One is enough but Sainsbury's locating there is more about them competing with Tesco than about serving the local community.
“There are huge concerns this could change the make-up of the area, not to mention the effect deliveries will have on an already congested area.”
Alex Hammond, 27, of Lansdowne Street, Hove, said: “Since I have moved into the ares five or six supermarkets have popped up in the area. It’s just saturation of the market.
“With a Tesco and a Starbucks already on that corner, Hove has definitely lost some of its charm.”
Tom McCauley, 62, owner of Le Grand Cochon delicatessen, said: “These supermarkets are just moving here and taking all the trade away from local businesses.
“There are too many here, they're all over the place, they're taking over.”
The store will open in two units formerly used by signwriters Fatsigns and household shop Design Interiors.
It will be the firm’s seventh confirmed store in the city - compared to 12 sites owned by Tesco.
New Local shops are planned at the former Caffyns car showroom in Preston Road, Brighton and in part of the Reflections bathroom shop in Portland Road, Hove.
It follows a statement from the company nine days ago which said “there are no confirmed plans for additional stores in Sussex at present”.
A Sainsbury’s spokeswoman confirmed the Western Road store is due to open in Spring.
Sainsbury’s stores in the city
Western Road, Brighton (Local – size doubled 2009) New England Street, Brighton (Superstore) Lewes Road, Brighton (Superstore) Old Shoreham Road, Hove (Superstore) Portland Road, Hove (Local – expected early 2010) Preston Road, Brighton (Local – expected mid-2010) Western Road, Hove (Local - expected Spring 2010)
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