Campaigners against plans for a new Tesco store have taken their fight online.
An online petition and Facebook group both called ‘No to Tesco Extra Macclesfield’ have sprung up in the last week.
Both call for Cheshire East council to reject plans to the Hibel Road store with a Tesco Extra double the size at Barracks Mill.
Since launching up the Facebook group on February 13 cyber campaigners has garnered the support of 113 people.
The author of the page said: “This campaign is not about demonising Tesco and others – it is about not allowing them to undo the good work that Macclesfield Loop, Barnaby Festival, Treacle – a quality market for Macclesfield and numerous other organisations and individuals have done for a revival of Macclesfield’s town centre.
“Tesco’s plans would create another out-of-town shopping centre.
“The consequences for our existing retailers and those brave ones who have just opened shop or planning to do so could be devastating.”
Another petition called ‘No to Tesco Extra Macclesfield’ has been started via petitiononline.co.uk.
At this month’s Business Breakfast members gave Tesco the thumbs-down.
One critic called it ‘the single greatest threat to the town’s prosperity’.
The scheme, which includes introducing warehouse-style retail units, will create 300 news jobs, according to Tesco.
The supermarket giant claims a hopper bus, pedestrian links and 1,000 free car parking spaces at the new 100,000 sq ft development will actually bring people to Macclesfield and stop people going to centres like Handforth Dean.
