OWNERS of a post office are concerned that the opening of a supermarket across the road will cause their business to suffer.

Mark Patel and his sister Mina Patel have run Sunnyville Post Office in Bridge Parade, Billericay, for 12 years.

However, Sainsbury’s are opening a store opposite them in Radford Way.

Mr Patel said: “I am concerned about Sainsbury’s opening.

“It is going to affect out business badly.

“We sell newspapers, cards and sandwiches and they are going to sell the same items.

“We are just a small business and people will go there instead because they are cheaper and have more variety.

“That is not to say we are expensive, but they can sell things cheaper and we can’t afford to.

“We still have to pay our business rates which won’t go down because of this.

“But what can we do about it now?”

He added that the other businesses in the parade would also struggle, including Threshers Wine and DGW Meats, the butchers.

Mr Patel is also concerned that people might use the parking at the parade while going to Sainsbury’s meaning his customers would not be able to get parked.

The Sainsbury’s Local, which will create 25 jobs, is due to open on November 23.