THE rundown appearance of a supermarket which has been empty since October 2011 has been reported as having a negative impact on other traders in its immediate vicinity.

The former Euro Spar was opened in 2009 in premises formerly occupied by Somerfield in Bay Tree Hill, Liskeard, by Appleby Westward of Saltash. The business pulled out just under two years later, blaming the closure and loss of 28 jobs on poor trading.

The building suffers from the mess created by a large group of nesting pigeons, and the wall on the side of the store by the walkway which leads into the town is covered in graffiti. Rubbish is also regularly left there.

Andy Blackwell, of Blackies Barbers, which is opposite the empty store, said its closure had had a real impact on businesses in the area.

'I have no passing trade any more,' he said. 'The car park is no longer as busy as it used to be and the whole area is beginning to look a bit rundown.

'The store is in a right old mess and it deters people from coming in at this end of the town.

'The building needs some attention and something to be in there to bring some trade back here.

'There have been so many rumours of different supermarkets looking at it, but nothing seems to be happening.'

The chairman of the Liskeard Chamber of Commerce, Roger Terry, said: 'All the talk is about another food store for Euro Spar but it would be really great to have something totally different like a Wilkinsons. We need choice.'

In answer to comments from around the town on the grubby appearance of the store, Jane Pascoe, a cafe owner and secretary of the chamber of commerce, said: 'We mustn't keep looking at the negative aspects.

'The Co-op are doing their best to keep it clean, and as soon as the chamber tells them it is looking untidy again, they respond quite quickly and will come and clean the outside. The outside was last cleaned about a month ago.

'It is difficult and people feeding the pigeons there doesn't help the situation.

'The sooner a new occupant can be found the better, and I believe a new entrance to the store should be created from the car park.'

A spokesperson for Appleby Westward said: 'The Co-operative owns the lease and we retain it for a further three years.

'We have been seeking to market the building for occupation, but until a new tenant is finally secured by the Co-op, which won't now be in time for the summer season, no one will want to decorate the property.'

In a statement the Co-op said: 'As a community retailer, the Co-operative is committed to serving and supporting those communities in which it operates.

'It has asked the tenant, Appleby Westward, to address local concerns raised about the appearance and tidiness of the former store.

'Going forward, discussions are in place to secure future occupancy of the store, but it is too early to say anything further at this time.'