More than 2,200 people have signed a petition backing a Camp Hill shopkeeper’s fight against a Tesco Express opening on his doorstep.
Nav Gathani, aged 55, has run The Hill Shop, in Hunsbury Hill Road, for 30 years, and is angry at the supermarket giant’s plan to convert the old Ironstone pub into one of its smaller convenience stores.
He has gained the backing of South Northamptonshire MP Andrea Leadsom, who visited the shop on Saturday to put her name to the petition.
Mr Gathani said: “She has given us great support. She said we have been doing a good job for 30 years and there is no need for a superstore here.
“We have had more than 2,200 signatures in one-and-a-half weeks.
“My customers are all annoyed with the issue and they have all said they will boycott Tesco. I’ve been serving people for years, and am now serving their grandchildren.”
The shop is well-known in the community for its charitable work, including handing out Christmas presents to elderly residents in neighbouring bungalows.
Tesco is yet to submit a formal planning application, but has sent letters to households in the area confirming its intentions for the site.
The company already has another Express store less than three miles away in East Hunsbury, and a superstore less than two miles away at Mereway.
The petition is still available for customers to sign in the shop.