Rumours are circulating in a Leicestershire town that Tesco plans to open a superstore on the site of a former Focus DIY unit.

The local press and retailers say the rumours, which stem from a “reliable source”, concern a site near a recently opened Tesco Express on the edge of Market Harborough. If the rumours are substantiated, it would be another example of ‘hermit crab syndrome’, in which multiples move into the shells of recently vacated retailers such as Focus and JJB Sports.

A number of multiple supermarkets already serve Market Harborough, including a Sainsbury’s, Aldi, Lidl and a Tesco Metro, while Waitrose is also set to open a store.

Vipul Pabari, owner of the Connaught Road Post Office, said the move would have a major impact on his store. “The Tesco Express, which opened about a year ago, has already taken my business from that side of town. This would make it worse.”

Meanwhile, in Belvedere, Kent, retailer Amit Patel’s campaign against Asda’s plans to share half of a B&Q site has gained support of local Labour and Conservative councillors.