A FORECAST for future development suggests Beverley needs a new supermarket.

A new retail study commissioned by East Riding Council suggests Beverley, Bridlington and Goole could each require another supermarket in the future.

The three towns, along with Driffield, are also identified as having significant potential for new non-food store development.

Spending growth forecasts in the retail study will help council planners draw up a blueprint to help shape future development across the East Riding up to 2026.

The public will be consulted later this year, when draft proposals earmarking suitable sites are published in the local development framework document.

But Beverley and District Chamber of Trade chairman Phillip Guest warned any proposals for a new supermarket in the town would be controversial.

There was huge opposition over the development of a Tesco store in Beverley in 2002 and Mr Guest has cast doubt over the need for another supermarket.

He said: "It's hard to believe we could possibly need another supermarket.

"We were told the reason we had to have Tesco was to anchor shopping in the town centre, bring people in and prevent a further store being built on the outskirts."

An alternative to building an additional supermarket could be the extension of existing supermarkets.

East Riding Council leader Stephen Parnaby was also quick to voice his personal opposition to the idea of a new supermarket for Beverley.

Councillor Parnaby said: "The town is already well catered for by supermarkets and there is no site available for another one – not even out of town.

"There is no chance in the immediate future of another supermarket being built. Anything like that is a long way off.

"We will have to come well out of the recession before there is even the possibility of another supermarket in Beverley."

The retail study was by Darlington-based town planners England and Lyle.

It will be considered by the council's cabinet tomorrow.