TESCO has issued a plea to come and buy the derelict land behind their Middlewich store.


The land was bought by the supermarket giant in 2009 and plans were revealed to expand their current store.


But with the plans being scrapped in 2013, the Middlewich community has become frustrated with the wasted ‘limbo land’.


However, Tesco has now placed the land on the market and says it urges anyone interested in purchasing the land to get in touch.


Mark Thomas, from Tesco, said: “We’re proud to serve our customers in Middlewich and to be part of the community.


“Since we’re no longer planning to open a new store, we’ve placed the land adjacent to our existing shop on the market and we’re keen to see it put to alternative use as soon possible.


“We advertised the site in the national property press last weekend and we’re open to all expressions of interest, including from competitors. We’d urge anyone interested in purchasing the land to get in touch with our agents, Eckersley.”


Tesco released the statement in reaction to a comment from cllr Simon McGrory, who said he and the Middlewich First group were calling on Cheshire East Council to impose a compulsory purchase order on the land, meaning they would force Tesco to sell it.


Cllr McGrory said: "Tesco have made it clear they are not going to develop this land, and we can see they won't sell it to a competitor, making the prospect for the land to be almost unsalable.


“Middlewich First have identified the need for more accessible shops and offices on Wheelock Street, and this together with the need for bringing more small family homes closer to the town centre makes the site an ideal location."