Tesco's expansion has been criticised, and in some cases actively opposed; Plans for a large Tesco shop in St Albans, Hertfordshire, attracted widespread local opposition. This led to the formation of the "Stop St Albans Tesco Group". In June 2008, St Albans Council refused planning permission for the proposed new shop. In April 2011, longstanding opposition to a Tesco Express shop in Cheltenham Road, Stokes Croft, Bristol, evolved into a violent clash between opponents and police. The recently opened shopfront was heavily damaged, and police reported the seizure of petrol bombs. Opponents have suggested that the shop would damage small shops and harm the character of the area. In March 2015 an arson attack gutted a new Tesco Express shop in Godalming, Surrey, two days before it was due to open. Tesco had purchased a public house and converted it into the new store, a change which did not require planning permission, thus denying the vigorous local opposition any formal means of preventing it. After continuing local opposition, including the local MP and borough council, Tesco abandoned its plans for the shop in January 2017.
Tesco's expansion has been criticised and in some cases actively opposed; Plans for a large Tesco shop in St Albans Hertfordshire attracted widespread local opposition This led to the formation of the "Stop St Albans Tesco Group" In June 2008 St Albans Council refused planning permission for the proposed new shop In April 2011 longstanding opposition to a Tesco Express shop in Cheltenham Road Stokes Croft Bristol evolved into a violent clash between opponents and police The recently opened shopfront was heavily damaged and police reported the seizure of petrol bombs Opponents have suggested that the shop would damage small shops and harm the character of the area In March 2015 an arson attack gutted a new Tesco Express shop in Godalming Surrey two days before it was due to open Tesco had purchased a public house and converted it into the new store a change which did not require planning permission thus denying the vigorous local opposition any formal means of preventing it After continuing local opposition including the local MP and borough council Tesco abandoned its plans for the shop in January 2017