SHOCKED shopkeepers have hit out at a retail giant after discovering their premises may be bulldozed to make way for a car park extension.

A planning application has been launched by supermarket chain Lidl to demolish a row of properties in Old Road.

It would allow the firm to expand the car park of its St Osyth Road store.

But the plans have come as a shock to the traders currently renting the shops which could be demolished, who say they were not informed.

Taxi firm A2B Taxis has rented one of the shops for nearly ten years.

Owner John Hall said: “We had heard rumours for a little while but that’s all it was.

“The first we knew of it was getting the council planning application notice through the door. It came as a real shock.”

It has now been confirmed to the Gazette that Lidl has not yet purchased the row of buildings.

It is believed a purchase will depend on planning permission being granted.

But A2B Taxis has been left in the dark, along with the other affected shops in the row – Home Comforts, Mad Cycles and takeaway Dilan 2.

Mr Hall added: “We’ve had this notice of the application but still no one has been to talk to us.

“If it goes ahead then we will be evicted and have to move elsewhere, but right now we are in limbo.

“We have traded here for nearly ten years. We have built up the firm and we’re established and have regular clients, especially people who use the shops and then pop in to us.

“If Lidl buy the properties then whatever they want to do is fair enough.

“We’re not against them expanding and we don’t begrudge them doing whatever they have to, but we have been left completely in the dark.

“It just seems like a common courtesy would be for someone to come to see us and tell us what is happening.

“This will have a huge effect on our business and a bit of decency would go a long way.”

The taxi firm is searching for new premises in case the scheme goes ahead.

Bosses have reassured customers that they will continue from a new base, no matter what happens.

Lidl says notification letters were sent to each of the tenants in 83-89 Old Road by their planning agents.

A spokesman said: “We understand the concerns regarding lack of information prior to this and sympathise with the taxi company.

“However this is an issue they will need to raise with their landlord, as owners of the property they were fully informed throughout the process.”

The planning application be decided by Tendring Council.