RETAIL giant Tesco said this week that the response to a proposed store for Okehampton had been 'very positive' with 68% in favour at a recent consultation event.

But local businesses remain concerned that the supermarket will impact negatively on town centre trade.

Tesco will be submitting an application for a store on the site on Link Road this summer but held a two-day public exhibition in the Charter Hall and Ockment Centre ahead of this to gauge public opinion.

Regional corporate affairs manager Simon Petar said: 'Support for our proposed store in Okehampton has been very positive.

'Some 68% of those who attended the public exhibition were in favour, with many expressing an interest in seeking employment with us as well.

'We continue to talk to residents, retailers and councillors as we now move forward with our proposals.'

The store would create around 180 new jobs, which would be a mixture of full and part time and up to 270 car parking spaces would be provided.

If Tesco does get the go-ahead, current employees at Thompsons Devon, which currently occupies the site, will be given an opportunity to interview at Tesco, Mr Petar said.

The store would have good economical benefits for all:?'Everyone who drives to Exeter or another place currently to shop often spends more of their money wherever they have visited to go food shopping.

'By keeping people in Okehampton, they would be more likely to do their other shopping in the town itself.

'The store would sell mainly food, but there would be some non-food retail.

'It would sell kitchenware, possibly some clothes, and a very minor electrical section. I can't stress enough how minor a part of the store the non-food items would be.'

He said Tesco was taking its time to talk to people and find out their opinions for what they want from the store.

'For example, lots of people have asked us about a petrol station,' he said.

'We will take all this consultation and feedback and use it to see what people want from Tesco in Okehampton.'

Okehampton Chamber of Trade chairman Ian Bailey said the biggest concern of the traders in Okehampton was that trade would be taken away from Fore Street.

'This is directly opposed to Government advice such as the Portas report which is about regenerating the high streets,' he said.

'I think there is a long way to go in the discussions with Tesco to be convinced that this is right for the town.'

Mayor the Rev Cllr Mike Davies said the majority of correspondence he had had about a Tesco store from local residents was in favour but he personally had some concerns, particularly about the site, which he felt would cause traffic problems.

He also said it was important that restrictions were placed on what the store sold.