A petition has been launched to keep a budget supermarket open, but bosses maintain it is "not fit for purpose".

More than 1,550 people have signed the petition Keep the Kentish Town Lidl Open  after the firm announced it will shut its store in Kentish Town Road on February 11.

A spokesperson said the branch's size means it can no longer accommodate the shop's "growing customer base", and that it plans to acquire an alternative site in the area.

The petition, started by Kentish Town local Penny Gibbs, says that people "rely heavily" on the shop and having it within walking distance is "invaluable".

It urges Lidl to consider the impact that closing the shop will have on customers, pointing to higher grocery prices elsewhere, lack of access to fresh produce and potential job losses.

Penny adds: "We understand that the reason for the proposed closure is that the relatively small size of this store limits of the range of products on offer and harms customer experience but this is not our experience.

"On the contrary the store sells all we need and much besides."

Kentish Town Road is home to other supermarkets including Sainsbury's, Tesco, the Co-op, and Phoenicia, a specialist Mediterranean food hall.

But Penny said of Lidl: "This store is more than just a place to shop; it's an integral part of our community.

"It offers affordable food that is essential for many families and individuals struggling to make ends meet."

Lidl said that while it always tries to make improvements to a store wherever possible, it is not possible for this site.

The supermarket shut its Camden High Street branch almost two years ago and the nearest stores to Kentish Town will now be in Holloway Road and Tottenham Court Road, requiring bus journeys.

A spokesperson added: "There are no job losses as a result of this decision and all colleagues have been found alternative positions.

"Shoppers can still access our two newer stores nearby which are considerably bigger and better able to accommodate a larger customer base."