Tesco to rival Co-op in Maidenhead

Two supermarket giants are preparing to go head-to-head to attract Maidenhead shoppers.

The Co-op in Bath Road is steeling itself for battle after it was revealed Tesco is planning to move into the empty site directly opposite.

The land, near the junction with St Mark’s Road, was only vacated by a Mercedes Benz dealership eight weeks ago when it moved to a new showroom over the road.

The company plans to put a Tesco Express on the plot, which is a smaller, tennis court-sized version of its main stores aimed at people who want to do a quick shop rather than a large weekly food haul.

Adrian Barradell, spokesman for Midcounties Co-operative, said: “We don’t believe there’s any need for a new Tesco store directly opposite our store. We believe the local community and local shoppers are already well-served regarding convenience shopping.”

A spokesman for Tesco confirmed it has plans to build an Express store on the site and said: “This is an excellent opportunity for a Tesco Express on a busy part of Bath Road. However, an Express store’s purpose would be to serve the immediate neighbourhood around it."

No plans have yet been submitted to the Royal Borough.