A representative from Tesco told local residents and businesses about their plans to demolish the Old Golden Fleece pub to make way for a new store at a meeting held by Churwell Action Group.

But Ray's store, AK News and Churwell Food Market, are now fighting to have plans refused by Leeds City Council's planning department when, it is believed, they are submitted at the end June.


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Bhanu Patel and husband Jayesh, who have run Ray's store for three years, say they are very disappointed with the news.

"We've heard that some of the community support the plans, but we don't, which is why we started this petition.

"Some of our regular customers have said they are against it and they will support us. They have all been very supportive.

"We are settled here with our two children and have put so many hours into this business and then this big thing will just come along and eat us up."

Mrs Patel said that they offer a more personal service than customers will get with a big supermarket chain.

"We help our customers as much as we can. Tesco will not offer that same standard of personal service," she said.

Priti Patel, who has owned Churwell Food Market for 13 years, is also gathering signatures on the petition.

"We have very loyal customers and more than 300 people have already signed the petition. We're also expecting 50 objection letters to be written by customers.

"Here we offer a personal service. Customers don't just come in to do their shopping, but for a cuppa and a chat.

"I've nothing against Tesco building new stores, but only where they are needed and they are not needed here. Churwell is a village and it should stay a village."

Mrs Patel said that she also believes the new build would affect Morley town centre.

"People go into Morley to do their shopping, but they won't have to go as far if there is a supermarket in Churwell, so Morley will be missing out too.

"The people in Churwell are like a little family and I do not want that to go away. This plan will kill local businesses."

This isn't the first time that Mrs Patel has petitioned against a bigger store opening in the area.

In May, an application for a retail unit at the bottom of Elland Road was rejected by Leeds City Council.

Mrs Patel, who collected 500 signatures on that petition, said: "If they can reject plans for a similar thing just down the road, how can they grant permission for this one?"

Mr Ferman Ali, who owns AK News, believes that the new storewould put him and others out of business.

"Some people are for it and some are against it.