TESCO is preparing an audacious bid to revitalise the derelict Wisbech Stadium site to build a superstore two and a half times the size of its existing store on Cromwell Road.

In a game of ‘retail chess’ the company will remove, at one fell swoop, all other companies hoping to rent space there but Tesco says it remains committed to an eight screen cinema complex and three restaurants.

Once the new store is up and running, Tesco hope to convert their present store into a terrace of nine shops - with a later phase to extend the new retail park to adjoining land in Sandown Road.

In a joint venture with London and Edinburgh Estates – the company who won consent for the �40 million stadium re-development five years ago- Tesco is now in talks with Fenland District Council.

Jonathan Clogg, a director of London and Edinburgh Estates, said last night: “We are at a very delicate state of discussions. At the moment it’s probably a bit premature to be discussing this fully.

“We have had a number of discussions in a number of directions about what we are seeking to deliver and have invested time and capital over an extended period of time”.

It is possible some of the companies originally earmarked for the stadium site – including Next, New Look, Brantano, Wickes and Pets At Home- may be tempted to sign up for the new Tesco retail park.

International specialists WYG Planning and Design- who specialise in out of town shopping malls and retail parks- have been recruited to negotiate with Fenland planners.

Bethany Burton, a WYG associate, has approached Fenland Council with an outline of Wisbech schemes, pointing out the 10,438 square metres new Tesco store is “not significantly” greater than that already agreed for the existing site where a near doubling in size to 8,009 square metres had been approved.

Ms Burton said a full planning application including flood risk and transport assessments as well as a design and access statement will follow.