A community leader says Chester has turned into ‘Tescoville’ after the retail giant confirmed it is eyeing up a potential retail opportunity in Hoole.

Cllr Bob Thompson believes Tesco wants to take over The Elms Medical Centre in Hoole Road where change of use planning permission is being sought to convert the site into retail.

The Lib Dem ward councillor fears a Tesco Express at that location could kill off independent stores in nearby Faulkner Street if motorists bypass the bustling road.

And the councillor, who laments the transfer of GP services from The Elms into the city centre, is ‘immensely disappointed’ the surgery appears to have ‘sold out to Tesco’, although Tesco points out it is not behind the planning application.

He said: “People visit Faulkner Street for its vibrancy and the excellence of its small independent shops. It is also heavily reliant on passing trade.

“People turn into Faulkner Street to buy a bottle of milk or a postage stamp or a loaf of bread and happily do so. If there is a more convenient alternative, that’s going to hoover up business out of Faulkner Street.

“At least the Sainsbury’s is in Faulkner Street. I believe at the time Tesco wanted that site as well.

“Tesco already owns the One Stop shop in Faulkner Street. Chester has become Tescoville. How many more Tescos do we want in Chester?”

Cllr Thompson added: “I am immensely disappointed The Elms sold out to Tesco.

“It shows a total lack of interest in the community. That surgery has provided a service for 30 years.”

Tesco spokesperson Mark Thomas stressed Tesco was not behind the doctors’ planning application but added: “We think a small Tesco store would complement the retail offer in Hoole. We’d be happy to review any options for a store in the local community.”

Speaking about the “Tescoville” charge, Mr Thomas said Tesco only opened where there was a demand.

He said: “We are dedicated to our customers and will look to open a store that serves their needs as best as possible.

“We operate alongside a huge range of businesses in communities across the country and, through increasing footfall, our stores can provide a boost to local traders.

“We employ many people across Chester and are proud to support the city’s flourishing economy.”

Tesco has large stores in Frodsham Street and Sealand Road as well as the Chester Retail Park-based Tesco Homeplus plus a giant Tesco Extra at Broughton Retail Park.

There are Tesco Express stores in Delamere Street and Pepper Street in the city centre and another at Weston Grove, Upton.

One Stop shops are also owned by Tesco with stores in Faulkner Street in Hoole, Garden Lane, Upton and Waverton.

Siobhan Cahill, who ran Grosvenor News in Cuppin Street until it closed last year, told The Chronicle at the time that she blamed fierce competition from the nearby Tesco Express in Pepper Street.

The Chronicle has contacted The Elms Medical Centre in Hoole Road on a number of occasions but they have so far declined to comment.