CONCERNED residents and shopkeepers have decided to turn up the heat on their campaign against plans to build a Tesco Express in Whetstone.

Last week over 70 people attended a public meeting in Manor Drive Methodist Hall in Manor Drive, to discuss the ‘Tesco Kills the Community – Every Little Hurts’ campaign, organised in reaction to the proposed new supermarket in Oakleigh Road North.

People expressed fears that the supermarket will put existing small retailers out of business, increase traffic and undermine the area's friendly community.

Thurairajah Suthaharan, who has owned the convenience store Maybrook in Oakleigh Road North for five years, said: “When I got the letter about the new Tesco it destroyed me – it will mean the end of my lifetime here and it will ruin my wife and kids’ lives too.”

A resident added: “The shopkeepers here are our friends – the people in Tesco aren’t going to keep an eye on my kids like they do, or stand and have a natter with me.

“Tesco is going to destroy our community spirit.”

Organiser of the meeting Jez Simms told the assembly he had contacted a representative from Tesco who declined his invitation to the meeting.

He said: “They thought it would be a shouting match and no one would be able to hear anything, which I find rather insulting.”

However, Tesco has informed Mr Simms they are willing to meet with the shopkeepers at a later date.

The campaign has the backing of MP Theresa Villiers and two Oakleigh ward councillors, including Councillor Stephen Sowerby, who attended the meeting, and Councillor Sachin Rajput.

Cllr Sowerby told the assembly he is against the new Tesco and although he will do what he can to help the campaign there is nothing he can do to stop the plans going ahead.

He said: “As far as I can see it is a done deal – and I’m not allowed to appeal.”

Under current planning regulations Tesco does not need permission to change the premises from a bar to a shop and therefore, the council cannot stop the store from going ahead on planning grounds.

Cllr Sowerby added: “The local community can vote with their feet and not use the store.”

The residents now plan to approach Barnet council about buying back the former pub to use it for the good of the community.

Others suggested the council were incapable of stopping the plans and said they should address Prime Minister David Cameron on the matter.

Campaign leader Ms Nevres Kemal said Tesco has lodged five planning applications for the building’s exterior and residents agreed to attend a council meeting to discuss their issues.

Around two thousand residents have signed a petition against the store and others were invited to sign it on the night.

Ms Kemal added: “We will have another meeting – we must keep this campaign rolling on.”