RALLYING campaigners sent out a strong message to Tesco five years ago that a supermarket was not wanted.

Within weeks of rumours circulating that the chain may want to open a store off Osmaston Road in Allenton, 1,000 people had signed a petition against it.

Land was being bought up, The Mitre pub shut down temporarily and there was speculation that the popular Allenton Market would close, causing anger among traders.

But Tesco remained tight-lipped, saying only that it believed developers were using the store's name to try to acquire the land.

Five years on and Tesco is now approaching councillors and traders about its plans for a 60,000 sq ft store on the site.

And armed with the knowledge of the reaction in 2005, it is already mounting a charm offensive to get people on side.

Its weapon in winning over the stallholders is the promise of an improved market somewhere on the site.

David Reynolds, chairman of the Allenton Market Traders' Association, seems convinced the plans would be a "110% improvement" for the stallholders and for residents in the area.

But nearby businesses in Allenton district centre have a different view and are still against the idea.

"A Tesco here would put us out of business." That was the harsh warning of Dee McIlwee, manager of Arden News in Osmaston Road, Allenton, which employs six part-time staff.

"Tesco sell newspapers and cigarettes and all the things we sell here. It would put a lot of shops around here out of business."

Her concerns were echoed by Joe Storer, owner of Gerald Langley grocers, which has been in Osmaston Road since before the Second World War.

He said: "We have a lot of very loyal customers but we would lose all our floating trade.

"I live in Alfreton and when they built a big Tesco store there all the other traders closed down within 12 months."

It is clear that Tesco still has work to do to win support, with the demolition of the Mitre pub being a bone of contention.

Barbara Whitmore, 60, of Flamstead Street, Allestree, said: "It would be wrong – how can you take down such a monument?

"The pub's been there forever. I was brought up there and have had many a happy hour in there. Allenton wouldn't be the same without it."

Donna Nash, 45, who grew up in Booth Street, Allenton, said the store would be on a busy road which could cause problems.

"My only concern would be the traffic – it's already horrendous as it is. It's 50/50 good and bad because Allenton has a nice, tidy shopping area that would be hit hard. But it would be nice to have a Tesco," she said.

And there could still be a major stumbling block in Tesco's plans – Derby City Council.

The authority still owns the Allenton Market site and said it had not been in any recent talks over selling it.

A spokeswoman said: "Before any decision was taken about the market there would have to be consultation."

The council's planning department confirmed it was aware Tesco was looking at "some proposals" but said no plans had been submitted.

Anyone submitting a planning application can do, regardless of whether they own the land or not.

Tesco has also been approaching ward councillors to seek discussions.

Alvaston councillor Paul Bayliss confirmed he hoped to meet with Tesco by the end of this month to talk through its plans for a new store.

He said: "My view at the moment is that I give this a cautious welcome but until I see all the detail it is hard to say exactly what this will mean for the area."