Residents of a Buttershaw street have branded as "ludicrous" a decision by their local Tesco store to open 24 hours a day.

Residents have already held a protest meeting about the store, which begins its round-the-clock opening on Monday, June 26.

"We get enough disturbance during the day," said Stephen Garside, 43, who has lived in nearby Fleece Street for 13 years. "There will now be people leaving the pub at 11pm and coming here to buy more beer and cigarettes. There is already enough racket around here."

He claimed cash dispensers outside the supermarket were constantly being vandalised and he feared further problems. "I also think the litter situation will get worse," he said.

"In my opinion Tesco are not thinking about the community but about money." said shop fitter Mr Garside, who has a disabled son and lives 400 yards from the store. "I won't have my son's sleep disturbed.

"Their decision is totally disgusting. There are elderly people living in this street and they don't need this."

Mr Garside said Tesco's petrol station would also be open 24 hours. This was of concern as the station was raided five months ago, he added.

Tesco spokesman Russell Craig said the Buttershaw store was the 171st 24-hour store. "Tesco is opening 24-hours in response to customers. We do let local people know about proposed openings and are always happy to listen to their views.

"We understand their concerns and obviously there are concerns about this. However we have got a few years experience in 24-hour opening," he said.

"People won't even know it is open at night and not as many people shop during the night as the day. Customers can park closer to the store so they are not pushing trollies around and deliveries will not increase.

"Neighbours of the store are also our customers and we don't want to annoy them. We have to ask them to be patient. We are asking for a leap of faith and we don't want to damage our relationship with them."

e-mail:

kim.mcrae@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

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