Opponents of a proposed Sainsbury’s in South End Green are confident they can defeat the supermarket giant – and they are demanding a showdown with its top bosses.

Campaigners have declined an offer to meet with Caroline Vickerstaff, the firm’s regional acquisitions manager, to discuss how a new store in South End Road could best fit into the area.

David Kitchen, acting chairman of the South End Green Association (SEGA), said residents will only sit down with a senior representative who has authority to scrap the scheme.

He said: “We have no interest in discussing Caroline Vickerstaff’s views about her shop – what we want is a meeting with someone at a level of seniority who has the power to cancel the project.”

Supporters of the campaign are tonight hosting a public meeting from 7pm at The Magdala in South Hill Park, while more than 5,000 people have signed a petition opposing the scheme.

Mr Kitchen added: “It’s looking good – many of these applications are being refused across the country. We have got to get Camden to appreciate the strength of feeling of residents – this is just not an appropriate place to have it.”

The campaign has already won the support of well-known residents including broadcaster Bill Oddie, actress Dame Janet Suzman, novelist Deborah Moggach and journalist Amanda Platell.