Doubts over whether Tesco will actually build a proposed new store on the current Huddersfield Sports Centre site have resurfaced but have been rejected by council chiefs.
The concerns have grown in the wake of a TV investigation into changes in the retail world.
The retail giant has had plans for years to take over the current Southgate site and build a new superstore when the new Huddersfield Leisure Centre at Springwood is opened.
Click on the gallery below to see pictures from inside the centre shot by Construct Films.
But in the Channel 4 Dispatches programme researchers claimed: “Food retailing is undergoing its greatest revolution since supermarkets were invented.
“The era of domination by the big four - Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons and Asda - is waning.
“Profits are slumping, sales are stalling, and online shopping is transforming the market. And while the big four struggle, discounters such as Aldi and Lidl are booming.”
The programme claimed that there was a problem of expansion. Building more large supermarkets had become a problem.
But Kirklees Council regeneration chief, Clr Peter McBride, said: “That’s nonsense. I would be absolutely amazed if that was the case.
“Why would Tesco go to all the trouble they have done over so many years to pull the plug now?
“The simple fact is that they can’t start building their new store until the new sports centre has been completed and the old one demolished. It’s a logical progression.”
This is not the first time concerns have been expressed over the new Tesco. In April the retail giant said it remained committed to building new stores in Huddersfield and Holmfirth after reports that it was scrapping more than 100 major store developments.
The firm has had plans for a new store off New Mill Road rejected in the past.
At the time Philip Clarke, chief executive at Tesco, said: “The large stores we have are great ... but we won’t need many more of the because growth in future will be multi-channel - a combination of big stores, local convenience stores and online.”
Tesco spokesman Mark Thomas said: “We’re continuing to discuss our proposals with Kirklees Council in order to bring forward our new store. We will be sure to keep the community updated on our plans.”
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