By JULIA RAVENSCROFT

WORRIED market traders fear that a 'parasitic' out-of-town Tesco superstore could swallow up their customers.

Many stallholders say that the new supermarket, which was given the go-ahead by the borough council last month along with the new Wolves stadium, will hit them hard with its free parking and modern facilities.

The colossal superstore is to be built on the former Tetley Walker site on the A49. Many council officers had opposed the plans, with head of planning John Earle commenting that it would have a 'parasitic' relationship to the town centre.

Retail consultants hired by the council had also ruled it was an edge-of-centre one-stop retail development which could not be justified.

Roy Sweeney, who owns Sweeney's Butchers, said: "It's going to affect our trade. We're surrounded by supermarkets now. We are paying a lot of money for this stall and this Tesco is going to put us out of a job."

Tom Finnegan, owner of Finnegan's bakery, said: "I think Tesco has been pushed through and I don't think it's good for traders because there is enough competition as it is.

"We're not on a level playing field. We can't get sorted with free car parking."

Matthew Forsyth, chairman of the Market Traders' Committee, owner of Oliver's Baby World and Harts Fabrics, and joint owner of Celebrations Cards said: "I'm not pleased with the development.

"I don't think it's an added advantage to the town centre and that's where my interest lies.

"It will certainly take a lot of customers from the town centre and there are 250 traders in the market."

But Ray Rigby, vice-chairman of the Market Traders' Association, owner of Rigby's Fruit and Veg and the Flower Centre, and joint owner of Celebrations Cards said he offers a better, cheaper service which he thinks will retain his loyal customers.

He said: "I would like to think it's not going to have a detrimental effect on the market. I think it's competing with Sainsbury's, ASDA and Morrisons."

But many traders said they believed that the proposed Time Square development could be a positive thing and bring shoppers back into the town centre.

Council leader John Gartside said last week that the new Tesco development

would not be detrimental to town centre trading.