Store's appeal delay

A PUBLIC inquiry into an appeal by supermarket chain Tesco will be delayed at least three months.

The hearing was to be held over restrictions on the goods Tesco sells at its Brighouse store.

The firm wants to increase the space for non-food goods from 15% of the net retail sales area to 35%.

These would include clothes, household items and white goods, such as fridges, washers and microwave ovens.

A two-day public inquiry was to have been held at Halifax Town Hall on May 5.

But this will be delayed three months.

Local businesses are opposing the increase in the sales floor at Tesco, because it will threaten their trade.

Mrs Em Armitage, of Clifton Action Group, said: "Because of the other traders, Tesco's sales allowance should not be increased.

"Tesco is really taking over Brighouse."