Shoppers in Abingdon are being asked to choose between two major supermarket schemes set to dominate the town centre.

The first proposal is for a new “medium to large” superstore at The Charter of 4,800 sq m, about 51,000 sq ft, while the second proposal would cover 6,500 sq m, or almost 70,000 sq ft, about the same size as the Tesco Extra store, off Marcham Road.

The second option for a new supermarket in a £53m town centre redevelopment is so large superstores at comparable sites could only be found in cities, according to a new report.

When planning consultants Tibbalds drew up its £25,000 study, it found “no town centre foodstores of a comparable size” for either option, and concluded two Sainsbury’s edge-of-town supermarkets in Leicester and Nottingham were the best available match.

However, another store of similar size is Sainsbury’s in Didcot, which covers 59,000 sq ft.

The two scenarios are contained in the report which includes plans to revamp the shopping precinct in Bury Street.

Roger Cox, cabinet member for planning at Vale of White Horse District Council, said: “Abingdon is under-performing as a retail centre and we have to grasp the opportunity to revitalise it.

“We need to revitalise our town centres otherwise we could be left with a collection of charity shops and banks.

“Abingdon’s precinct dates back to the 1960s and needs an update – if something isn’t done the town could get left in the 20th century.”

Mr Cox could not rule out Tesco bidding for the site, even though the company has its Tesco Extra store off Marcham Road, a Tesco Express off Wootton Road, and another shop planned for Oxford Road.

Earlier this year, it emerged that artists’ impressions for the redevelopment featured the Sainsbury’s logo, but the chain denied any “firm” proposals to move in.

Mr Cox urged members of the public to take part in the consultation, and added: “The last thing we want is to impose a solution on people living in Abingdon.”

Peter Wiblin, who runs West End newsagents, and is the former joint president of the Chamber of Commerce, said: “Both options sound huge and would destroy our nice little market town.

“My preference would be for Waitrose to move into the town centre with a John Lewis to provide a mixed retail experience.

“Sainsbury’s and Tesco are of the same ilk and if one of them comes in what is the town going to get back?

“Abingdon will need a new bridge over the Thames to help alleviate the extra traffic, and I think we could end up with a public inquiry over this.”

Mr Cox described the two options as “illustrative scenarios” and added: “We are consulting on the brief and its design guidelines, rather than promoting or consulting on either scenario.”

For further information visit whitehorsedc.gov.uk