Residents to boycott rival supermarkets in high street triangle

A high street could be swamped by three big supermarkets operating within yards of each other.

Tesco and Asda are both planning to open stores in New Barnet - on the same road where a Sainsbury's already trades. Residents fear the trio will kill off small businesses and bring traffic chaos. Some threatened at a public meeting to boycott the two new supermarkets.

Councillor Robert Rams said: "The three supermarkets will be in a triangle and I dread to think how we will cope with it." He said there were fears over the future of nearby East Barnet village, home to many independent shops, and added: "It is going to be hellish. The residents do not want or need another supermarket, let alone two. The proposals could signal the nail in the coffin to a local way of life."

Sue Young, of Edward Road, New Barnet, said: "We are going to fight the proposals all the way and will boycott the supermarkets if they come here."

London Assembly member Brian Coleman, who supports the Evening Standard Save Our Small Shops campaign, said: "This is supermarket wars gone mad."

Tesco spokesman James Wigan said: "It is early days."