SUPERMARKET owners have applied to expand their shop to fight off competition.

Susan Beard and Keith Philip Griffith asked for planning permission to extend S&K convenience store, in Drury Road, Colchester.

A rival store, believed to be Tesco, is set to open as part of a development in nearby Butt Road.

S&K has been open for 26 years, but the owners say they need to make improvements to keep business healthy.

Plans lodged with Colchester Council include building an extension in the service yard to increase warehouse space and the shop floor area. Two flats would also be built upstairs.

Agent Mark Potter wrote to the council on behalf of the owners, explaining the shop floor was cramped and inpractical, leading to a large number of thefts.

He said: “It is difficult to oversee and maintain security in the store.

“Consequently, there are a large number of thefts, which inevitably affects the profit of the business.”

Mr Potter said the new design would include wider aisles, making the store more accessible to mums with pushchairs and people in wheelchairs.

He continued: “The applicant is also aware of the increased local competition.

“There are other local convenience stores competing for customers. There is also a new convenience store planned for the new housing area adjacent to Butt Road, by one of the large food retail companies .

“It is essential the applicant and owners remodel and extend the existing foodstore if they are to retain their existing customers and attract new customers.”

Building company Taylor Wimpey said it is considering selling off the land, in Butt Road and Goojerat Road, which has planning permission for a supermarket and three shops.

Discount chain Lidl revealed it made a bid for the site, but was beaten by an unknown competitor.

Tesco has declined to comment about the site.