EVESHAM Town Council has opposed plans for a B&M Homestores store in the town after concerns it could "suck" business out of the centre.

If successful the store would be located in the former Midlands Electricity Depot, Worcester Road, with access opposite the entrance to Tesco, a site which already has planning permission for 37 homes.

And it would follow in the footsteps of B&M Stores in Worcester, which opened in November 2012 creating 50 jobs.

But the majority of Evesham councillors were not in support of the proposals.

Cllr Richard Jones said: "I think it's over development. I think there is a highways problem up there with the entry and exit to it.

"They will bring employment but we don't know how many jobs will be lost in the local area down to other shops being closed."

Cllr Gerry O'Donnell added it was another in a line of out of town retail developments in Evesham.

"I am particularly concerned about this ribbon of development up Worcester Road," he said.

"It does take it out of the town centre.

"All it needs is a few retail outlets to start blossoming in an area and it starts to suck out of the town centre."

Despite this not everyone shared the same worries.

Cllr Mark Goodge said: "As far as the planning concept is concerned I don't see a there's a problem using that for retail. If we are going to have more retail in the area then the access needs to be sorted out."

And Cllr Wendy Dyke added: "There is nowhere in the centre for a store of this size. I too am concerned about trade going out of the town. I think it's good for Evesham that more of these multi-national stores want to come to the town."

The final decision will be made by Wychavon District Council's Planning Committee later this year.