Work has begun to change a former public house into Braintree’s fifth Tesco store.

Tesco already has large stores at Marks Farm, Market Place and in Great Notley, while a smaller Tesco Express store will soon open in place of the former Kings Head pub in Coggeshall Road, Braintree.

Braintree Council approved a planning application for a new shopfront, service yard and canopy at the site in May.

Applications for an extension to the building, external alterations and new signage were previously approved.

A change of use application was not needed because the site was previously a pub.

More than 400 people signed a petition against the new store, compiled by Vallipuram Vaseeharan, owner of the Jubilee Oak Express in nearby Cressing Road.

See this week's Braintree and Witham Times for the full story.