A battle is brewing in Port Chalmers as residents square up for a fight to save their supermarket.
It was confirmed last week Foodstuffs South Island was planning to withdraw its New World brand from the store next month, replacing it with a Four Square brand under new owner-operators.
The plan, which was expected to cost jobs among the 70 full and part-time staff, has prompted a community outcry amid fears the downgrade will lead to a complete closure.
More than 650 people have signed an online petition launched on Sunday, calling for the supermarket to remain as a New World.
Another 155 people have joined a Facebook group rallying to keep the supermarket open, and a public ''planning meeting'' will be held at the Careys Bay Hotel tonight to discuss ways of fighting Foodstuffs' plans.
The meeting was organised by Sawyers Bay resident Robyn Broughton, who told the Otago Daily Times there were ''a lot of angry people'' in Port Chalmers as a result of Foodstuffs' plans.
She hoped tonight's meeting would lead to a group being formed to fight the change, by pressuring Foodstuffs to keep the New World brand in Port Chalmers.
Mrs Broughton said many, including those on fixed incomes, the elderly and those without transport, relied on the supermarket for their shopping.
Those who could not travel would become ''a captive audience'' for higher prices at Port Chalmers, while those who could would shop elsewhere, ''inevitably'' leading to the supermarket's closure, she said.
The Facebook page set up to oppose Foodstuffs' plans was created by Port Chalmers resident Ryan Jones, a student, who said he was ''shocked'' by the company's plans.
He was also organising a rally to be staged outside the supermarket when Foodstuffs representatives met supermarket staff next month to confirm their plans.
The planned change would result in job losses and increased prices for residents, and more traffic on State Highway 88, and ''the impact on the community will be devastating'', he said.
''I am also concerned for the elderly members of Port Chalmers who rely heavily on New World for their affordable weekly groceries. Shopping elsewhere isn't an option for them.''
Mr Jones said he hoped Foodstuffs could yet be convinced to change its plans.
''I do not believe that downsizing our supermarket is in the best interests of our community or their business.''
A Foodstuffs spokeswoman declined to comment yesterday.
