More than 500 people are fighting a controversial bid to build Oxford’s third Tesco store.

The supermarket giant has submitted plans to build an Express store on the site of the boarded-up Friar pub in Marston Road.

But in 10 days, 540 people have signed a petition against the proposed shop.

They are worried it will undercut local traders and threaten the only post office in the area.

Croft Road resident Mick Haines organised the petition at the beginning of the month and left it in the Costcutter store, which houses the post office and is directly opposite the site.

He said: “There are all sorts of problems with building a Tesco in Marston Road.

“People are concerned with parking, and traffic, but mainly the threat to the post office.”

John Townsend, also of Croft Road, added: “It’s not just a post office, it is the heart of the community.

“If it went, the effect it would have on the older people who use it as a lifeline would be terrible.”

Tesco, which has two other Oxford stores in Cowley Road and the Cowley Retail Park, bought the site from Oxford businessman Clinton Pugh last April.

It has also purchased the site of another former pub, The Fox and Hounds, in Abingdon Road. That is also opposite a local supermarket and South Oxford’s remaining post office.

Tesco wants to build Express stores at both sites.

In December, it sent out consultation letters to 260 homeowners in the Marston Road area, and submitted plans for a two storey building, roughly the size of a tennis court, to Oxford City Council. Residents were asked to submit comments to the council by the start of this week.

When plans to build the store were first announced, some residents gave it a cautious welcome.

Nicola Bowers, of Marston Road, said she liked the fact it would be open later.

Mother-of-two Anna Reed, of Rippington Drive, added: “Tesco is usually cheaper than other supermarkets.”

Mr Haines said: “I know there are some in favour of Tesco coming to the road, as they assume it will be better value.

“But I don’t know of any Tesco store which has a post office in it – and if Costcutter goes, so will our post office.”

A city council spokesman said a public meeting was expected to be called next month to give residents the chance to air their views about the application.

Sivanesarajah Pakeerathan, manager of the Costcutter store, said he was pleasantly surprised by the support for the petition.

He said: “It was left here on January 2, and since then hundreds of people have pledged their support.”

Tesco said a door knocking campaign had shown that residents were in favour of the company’s proposals.

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk