SHOPPING giant Tesco has launched a website aimed at convincing the residents of a historic Suffolk town that they need a supermarket.The website comes after a petition was distributed by the Hadleigh Society against the plans had already accrued more than 600 signatures,Tesco hope to build a new store in the Bridge Street area of the town, on the Brett Works site, as well as creating over 200 parking spaces and a small planted area.

SHOPPING giant Tesco has launched a website aimed at convincing the residents of a historic Suffolk town that they need a supermarket.

The website comes after a petition was distributed by the Hadleigh Society against the plans had already accrued more than 600 signatures,

Tesco hope to build a new store in the Bridge Street area of the town, on the Brett Works site, as well as creating over 200 parking spaces and a small planted area.

The proposals have yet to go before Babergh District Council, but it is expected they will be examined by planners in the spring.

On the website, Tesco claim that a supermarket is vital for Hadleigh because it is losing business to other towns that can offer more choice and car parking.

It claims a new store would help retain and attract trade to the town, as well as providing up to 200 new jobs for locals.

Under a section entitled 'Who will benefit', the website reads: "The people of Hadleigh will be given more choice for their food shopping in Hadleigh - and the whole town centre will benefit from the extra trade.

"By attracting more people into the town, rather than driving to Ipswich or Sudbury, over one million vehicle miles will be saved each year - a big boost for the environment."

Elsewhere, it adds: "Currently 84 per cent of residents from Hadleigh and its surrounding district do their main food shopping outside the area, in Ipswich and other towns.

"The people of Hadleigh say they want more choice when they shop."

The site also defends the choice of Brett Works as the proposed spot for the development, claiming it provides easy pedestrian access, is close to the town centre and can be quickly developed.

But Jan Byrne, chairman of the Hadleigh Society, said she was unimpressed with website and it offered nothing new.

She added: "It cuts no ice really and I wouldn't have thought the website will sway anyone's opinion in the town.

"It's just an attempt by Tesco's to make themselves look good."