Supermarkets face fresh restrictions

Fresh planning restrictions, designed to stem local dominance of individual supermarkets, is to be unveiled this week, according to the Metro newspaper.

The Competition Commission’s chairman, Peter Freeman, has been conducting a two-year inquiry into the grocery sector, which is reportedly worth £95 billion. Freeman is expected to set out details of a competition test, where planners must consider local rivals before giving permission for expansion.

The body is also to unveil new ombudsman powers, designed to supervise the relationship between the big supermarkets – Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda and Morrisions – and their suppliers