Shop owners on a busy high street claim some may be forced to shut because a nearby supermarket is taking away business.

Many of the traders in George Street, Hove, reported a dip in trade and takings when Tesco opened its store in Church Road in 2003.

Eighteen months on they claim they are still suffering.

One cafe owner is losing hundreds of pounds a week and is looking to sell.

A greengrocer's takings have dropped by a third and other businesses have lost staff.

Debbie Stenning, of Heebie Jeebies cafe, said: "Takings are down by about £1,000 a week.

"We have lost a lot of customers because of parking.

"Tesco took up all the parking spaces and only let people park for free if they shop in the store."

This week Tesco became the first retailer to clear £2 billion profits only four years after reaching the £1 billion mark.

Clive Bridle, manager of Howards butcher in George Street, said: "Before Tesco was there we had six or seven staff and now we are down to three.

"We are having to think about opening six days a week to make up for the downturn in profits."

Hasu Patel has been running the Londis shop in Church Road for 21 years.

He said he had been forced to make two people redundant and his own income has dropped.

He added: "It was very sad for them and for me as well. I am not surprised by Tesco's profits. Their prices are no cheaper than mine but with their buying power they can make a lot more profit.

"When I first started there was nobody else open after 6pm or at weekends. Now everyone is open late."

Pinkel Patel, who runs Taylors of Hove post office and newsagent in Church Road, said: "The supermarket has affected magazine and newspaper trade but because there is a post office here people come in anyway."

David Barr, of Sensational Food, in George Street, said his specialist food shop had seen a dip in profits when Tesco opened but his niche market meant shoppers had come back.

He said: "Tesco had an impact at first but they can't compete with our specialist sausages and bread."

The manager of Dean and Perry Jenkins greengrocers in George Street said takings had dropped by a third.

He said: "It was a real shock at first but takings did pick up slightly."

As well as groceries Tesco has branched out into DVDs, computer games, books, music systems, kitchenware, gardening ranges, insurance, internet access, petrol, gas and electricity.

In January Tesco announced plans to open 82 new stores in Britain.

A Brighton and Hove City Council spokesman said it was considering a farmers market in George Street.

He said: "Farmers markets focus on selling local produce back to the local economy and have a very positive, sustainable impact in the area."

If the plan goes ahead £5,000 of council money will cover set-up costs for a six-month trial.

A Tesco spokeswoman said: "The supermarket industry is the most competitive in the UK and brings enormous benefits to consumers.

"We believe that competition on the high street is a good thing. It keeps retailers on their toes and ensures customers get the best products at the best prices with the best customer service.

"Customers vote with their feet and will shop where they get those three things."

April 15, 2005