A WORCESTER nursing home owner fears he could lose staff to Tesco if the supermarket giant gets the go-ahead to develop in St John's.

Derek Jones claims paltry increases in Social Services funding make it difficult for homes to attract staff because they cannot increase pay levels.

The boss of the 50-bed Henwick Grange Nursing Home in Hallow Road, St John's, is worried plans for a Tesco store on the Christopher Whitehead High School site could hit his staffing levels.

"It frightens the life out of me," admitted Mr Jones, who employs 85 people.

Worcestershire Social Services has increased fees by just £12 on a single room rather than the £39 the Worcestershire Nursing Homes Association insists homes need.

"My biggest concern is a new supermarket in St John's," added Mr Jones.

"It's so hard to get staff at the moment, and which would you rather do, wipe somebody's bottom or stack shelves for the same money?

"I'm not proud of the fact we pay some of our staff only just the present minimum wage, but on what Social Services pay us there are no margins to pay any more.

"It's getting to the point where there's so little bottom line in profits, there's no point going on."

But he said their hands were tied by Social Services as "they are the customer and we are the provider, but they dictate the pay".

New school

Mr Jones is convinced a new Tesco store is inevitable because it is throwing in a new school.

"Call me an old cynic but if somebody like that said we'll build you a nice new school with no upkeep for five years, what are you going to do if you're a Worcestershire councillor?" he added.

County councillors recently gave cautious backing to the plan despite strong local objections, including a 1,000-strong petition.

Tesco representatives have already met several times with Worcester City Council about the project, which would see the school demolished and relocated to Grove Farm or Earl Court's Farm.

Worcestershire Social Services head of adult services, Paul Jays, said meeting fee levels demanded would cost around £4m and cause disruption to other services.