STAFF at a small business in Worcester are looking for new jobs after a supermarket giant announced it planns to open a store on its doorstep.

A planning application will be submitted by the end of this week to Worcester City Council for Sainsbury's to transform an old furniture store in Barbourne Road into a local branch supermarket, creating 25 jobs for the area.

But staff at the family-run Costcutter in the same road are already looking for new work as they felt the build would hit the store's custom too hard to keep them employed and the business going.

Gurdeep Singh, from the store, said: "We're not happy at all - it's going to disrupt our business terribly. It is not going to be good for business and a couple of the lads are looking for other jobs because it will affect us so badly.

"Sainsbury's have got such buying power we won't be able to compete with the prices."

The convenience store, which sells groceries, tobacco and alcohol, has already had to endure a falling custom because of the refurbishment at the Co-operative Store at the end of the road as it changes into Ombersley Road.

"Since the Co-op refurbed, that has hit us as well, and even though it is further up the road a bit, it has affected us and having a another supermarket come in will really hit us," Mr Singh added.

"We are just a small shop - a family-run thing - and there's nothing we can do."

Although plans for the Sainbury's Local store are in the very early stages, a spokesman for Sainsbury's said they plan to refurbish the building, which previously housed Intoto Furniture, and potentially build a small rear car park.

He said: "We will be submitting a planning application to Worcester City Council this week to refurbish the former Intoto building on Barbourne Road and replace it with a new convenience store.

“We believe the store will be a positive addition to the area, bringing genuine benefits to the community by creating new jobs and providing additional shopping choice for local residents.”

The plans will be made available to view on the Worcester City Council's website, worcester.gov.uk, after they have been officially submitted.