A SUPERMARKET giant is planning to expand its empire by bringing one of its smaller stores to Rhyl. Tesco, which is the world’s fourth largest retailer, last week submitted plans for an Express store to be erected at the former Esplanade Service Station on Coast Road. The 371 square metre development will have parking for 10 cars, three bicycles and one disability space. Neither residents living near the site nor the local community have been consulted about the proposal. Tesco Express stores are neighbourhood convenience shops, stocking mainly food with an emphasis on higher-margin products alongside everyday essentials. “The store will carry a basic range of groceries, ready meals, sandwiches and snacks, beers wines, spirits and a range of fresh fruit and vegetables,” reads the application. “The store is within a local centre with a large residential catchment in the surrounding area and the site is easily accessible by foot and bicycles for the majority of these households.” There will be a cash machine on site and Tesco designers hope to get approval for the store to be open from 6am to midnight. People living in the area have mixed feelings about the development. One householder told the Visitor: “It would be great to have a shop which is open until midnight and it’s got to be better than what’s there at the moment. “But I’m worried that our local shops just won’t be able to compete.” But Cllr John Bellis, in whose ward the proposed development lies, declined to comment. “I am aware of it and I’ve been invited by residents and businesses in my ward to discuss it with them,” he said. If granted approval, Tesco will be the fourth major supermarket chain to have a presence in the town. Morrisons and Sainsbury’s already have large stores on Vale Road and Asda is due to move from Kinmel Bay once the Ocean Plaza development is completed. david.rutland | 
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