IT WAS a David v Goliath battle – and once again the little man won.
Traders from small shops in Bridlington's Old Town have stopped Tesco from opening a store on their doorstep.
Councillors threw out plans for a Tesco Express store at the Esso garage in Scarborough Road at a meeting on Monday.
Hayley Baker, man
ageress of Old Town Stores, collected 1,225 signatures on a petition against the plans and was delighted with the outcome.
She said: "We are over the moon. Every customer who has come in and we have told the news to has been thrilled.
"If Tesco had come in, it would have led to job losses and shops closing.
"In some way it would have affected not just us, but the greengrocers, the bakers, the newsagents.
"Let's hope Tesco gives this up as a bad job now. Everyone is smiling in High Street again."
She thanked all those who had signed the petition, and councillors who had supported their campaign.
Coun John Wilkinson spoke against the application at Monday's meeting of East Riding of Yorkshire Council's eastern area planning committee.
He said: "It would have killed Old Town. I couldn't believe the application got as far as it did and I was surprised the council officers recommended its approval.
"Tesco can appeal but I'm hoping they won't. It was an unanimous decision by councillors.
"The detrimental effect to highway safety and congestion would have been massive."
Coun Ray Allerston also addressed councillors
He told the Free Press: "I spoke for the people of Old Town at the meeting and I'm pleased about it being rejected because it would have devastated businesses and shops in Old Town.
"The traffic is terrible anyhow, it's bad enough having a petrol station right on that roundabout, let alone a shop with people pulling in and out all the time."
