A cut-price superstore has stirred up resentment from all sides in the Radford district of Coventry.

Aldi, the Euro giant, will open a new store despite vigorous protests from local residents and shopkeepers backed by the City Council.

The discount chain, whose headquarters is at Atherstone in north Warwickshire, has bought the Texaco garage in Radford Road and intends to build a new store.

Coventry City Council rejected the plan after receiving a one thousand name petition from local residents, but Aldi appealed to the Government and the council was overruled.

Now shopkeepers are protesting that they face bankruptcy with such a large store arriving on their doorstep.

Surinder Sood, who has a small supermarket nearby, said:

"How can we compete. It is going to have a serious effect on small businesses. This is not the place for a giant store.

"Jubilee Crescent is a fantastic shopping area nearby. Why do they need another one?"

Councillor Sheila Collins, chairman of Coventry’s planning policy team has added her protest:

"Radford Road is a very busy road. The site is close to a junction where there have been several accidents. There are already local shops. I think the inspector has made a bad decision."