PETROL STATION retailers from across Co Clare are opposing a plan by Tesco to open a station in Kilrush which they say will force the closure of a number of stations with the loss of 43 jobs.
Last month Kilrush Town Council granted planning permission to Tesco to build a four-island petrol station on the Ennis road in the west Clare town.
The council gave the plan the go-ahead in spite of strong opposition from station owners and from the independent retailers organisation, Rgdata.
Eleven stations have appealed the decision: Oliver O'Shea and John Crowley, Kilrush; John Daly, Cooraclare; Michael Fitzpatrick, Kilmihil; Michael Sheedy, Darragh; O'Sullivan Hansbury, Ennis; Maxol/Spar, Clarecastle; Pádraic Hayes, Doonbeg; David Glynn, Killimer; Tony Nealon, Kilmurry McMahon and Tessie Power, Knockerra.
Lodged by the Irish Petrol Retailers' Association, the appeal states that a number of these stations, some of which provide the only shop for local communities, would be forced to close.
The station owners predict that their Tesco rival would take 43 per cent of the petrol retail market in west Clare, with Tesco accounting for sales of €149,940 per week.
