TRADERS’ leaders in Ludlow say they will fight any new application to build a supermarket on the outskirts of the town.

A ‘Love Ludlow’ campaign, led by the Chamber of Trade, believes that a planning application will be lodged shortly with Shropshire Council for a supermarket on a site on the edge of town.

There is a fear that competition from a supermarket would put at risk some of the town’s iconic businesses.

But campaigners are especially worried that an out-of-town development would draw shoppers away from the main centre where Ludlow’s independent shops are located.

The group, chaired by Ludlow Chamber of Commerce, claims to represent the majority view of its members many of whom are local shops owners that they say just cannot compete with another supermarket, especially one that is out -of-town and will essentially shift people’s shopping habits elsewhere.

They say that there are areas within Ludlow such as the Stone House complex in Corve Street that could be available for a shopping development and that this would be less damaging than an out-of-town store.

“It is a shame as we keep getting told how lovely Ludlow is and this is because we still have a proper high street.

"Basically we could see a number of butchers and bakers close down as a result of this, which would be a loss of valuable jobs, damage Ludlow’s vibrant high street, as well as our well known reputation as a food destination,” said Muff Murfin, chairman of Ludlow Chamber of Commerce.

The Love Ludlow Campaign currently has 300 plus likes on Facebook under ‘Keep Ludlow Local’ and there are sign up forms in various shops in town which locals can fill in to receive advice on what they can do to help oppose the planning application.

There is also information on the www.loveludlow.org.uk website