HUNDREDS of shoppers are backing a bid to get cut price clothes store Primark to take over the Tesco site in Devizes after it closes on April 4.

Among the campaigners is Devizes town and Wiltshire councillor Sue Evans.

She said: “Once Tesco goes, there will be nowhere for people to buy reasonably priced children’s clothes. Devizes really needs another clothing retailer.

“It is important that we try and encourage someone like Primark to come to the town.

“I am worried it won’t be easy to find a retailer to take over such a large premises and a big empty building will create a bad impression for people visiting the town.”

An on-line petition about the fate of the Maryport Street store has been launched by Dean Czerwionka, who has written to Primark to ask it to consider Devizes as a place to invest.

He is urging people, via social media, to get behind the campaign and said: “The people of Devizes are really lacking in their pursuit for affordable clothing that can cater for the vast majority of people in the town and surrounding areas.

“I urge the local authorities and local retailers and the people of Devizes to get behind this campaign. Primark are a world leader in the clothing industry and would help the economy of Devizes to get more people from local towns and villages using and seeing what [it] has to offer.

“Primark has no online store for purchases and the nearest outlets are Swindon and Bath.”

More than 200 people have signed the petition in its first week and many have left comments backing his aims.

Signatory Jessie Coltart said: “We could definitely do with a decent clothing store.”

Lauren Camp said: “We need somewhere to get affordable clothing and underwear.”

It is the second petition to be launched since Tesco announced the store would be closed. It is at www.change.org/p/primark- primark-store-for-devizes