TESCO laid down a ‘no surrender’ gauntlet to Sainsbury today as it vowed to build a store in Whittlesey and create 200 jobs on either of two sites it has in mind.

“Tesco Stores Ltd would like to confirm its continued commitment to Whittlesey,” a spokesman for the supermarket giants said.

The extraordinary statement came just weeks after rivals Sainsbury –who promise 250 jobs- held a public exhibition on plans for a new store and country park.

Tesco was first off the starting grid, firstly trying to win consent for a town centre store that would have meant windfall profits for some home owners and re location of the fire station.

However that plan fell and the company later picked up the permission obtained by Manea based Harrier Developments Ltd who secured permission on a site in Station Road.

Edward Heppenstall, Development Manager at Tesco said they had worked with Harrier for three to four years on and “we now believe we have come up with the best possible supermarket plans for Whittlesey which are due to be decided upon shortly”.

He said he had explained to Fenland Council that should they win permission for Eastrea Road they will go there but if not they will use the existing consent for Station Road.

“Whether it is the current proposals for Eastrea Road, or the consented food store at Station Road, Tesco Stores Ltd is fully committed to providing a new environmentally friendly store, around 200 new jobs for local people, better transport services for the town and a better shopping choice for Whittlesey,” he said.

Meanwhile Sainsbury’s proposed 32,000 square ft store and 54-acre country park to the south of Eastrea Road will include a customer cafe, bakery, delicatessen, butcher and fresh fish counter.