SUPERMARKET giant Tesco is pressing ahead with its bid to build new stores in Ashtead and Dorking.
The company has told the Advertiser its plans for an Express store in Reigate Road will be submitted to council planners imminently.
Tesco has also confirmed the development of a Metro store in Ashtead will go ahead after gaining planning permission last year.
The announcement by the supermarket chain comes after it announced last month it would scrap more than 100 store developments that had been in the pipeline following a fall in profits – its first drop since the 1990s.
Asked about the Dorking plan, Beth Greenhouse, spokeswoman for Tesco, said: "We're committed to opening our store in Reigate Road, Dorking and will be consulting with the community in the coming weeks before submitting our plans to the council.
"If our application is successful we hope to open during the summer, creating 20 new jobs for people in the community."
Reacting to the news, councillor Margaret Cooksey (Lib Dem, Dorking South) said: "Of course if it's just a small Express one then being where it is it's not too bad but it's not something we particularly would have wanted.
"The concept of an edge-of-town supermarket is one that we would be wary of."
Jacquetta Fewster, from Mole Valley Green Party, added: "We're very keen to support local businesses so when national supermarkets come in to the town, like Tesco, then that's a concern.
"It's going to bring in more competition for smaller businesses who generally are looking to do things in a more sustainable way than the big chains.
"Even though it's physically a small store, it's obviously part of a very big company.
"Our approach is that smaller businesses are better for the environment, and better for communities. We'd prefer to see the Frankie and Benny's site used for a local business."
Planning permission for the Metro store in Ashtead was granted by the district council's planning committee in September 2012 after a four-year battle between Tesco and campaigners in the village and three previous rejected applications.
The approved proposal is for a 690sq-m Tesco Metro store, with nine flats above.
Asked about the future of the Ashtead site, Ms Greenhouse continued: "We intend to proceed with our plans for our Metro store in Ashtead and will update the community once we have confirmed timeframes for opening the store."
On hearing the latest news on the Ashtead store, councillor Simon Ling (Independent, Ashtead Village) said: "I think it would be good for Tesco to actually do something now.
"It's a bit of an eyesore so we'd like them to get on with it. The local traders were all keen for them to be there because – rightly or wrongly – they think it will bring more footfall and trade for them."
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