Travellers have set up camp in the car park of an empty supermarket.

Caravans are parked outside the former Co-Op on Hertford Road, Freezywater, which is now owned by Lidl.

The site is bordered by a locked wire fence and large grey wooden walls, however neighbours say they have been on the site since Friday and have also gone into the abandoned building.

Sinan Brayerva, who runs Silver Service Café opposite the site, said their presence had people worried.

He said: “I don’t like this situation around here at all. If they could be moved quickly I would be very grateful.”

An owner of another nearby business, who declined to give his name, said he had written to his MP, Joan Ryan, and the CEO of Lidl to warn them.

He said: “The initially broken in through the gates and the boarded-walls, now they are inside the building.

“All through Friday and Saturday, shopkeepers were in and out of the shop complaining, it’s immensely frustrating and everyone is very concerned.”

He also said he had complained to Enfield Council. Council spokesperson Laura Berryman said, while the land does not belong to the authority, they would do what they could to clear the site.

She said: “The land at Hertford Road is not owned by the council, however we are in contact with the landowner and we are aware of the legal proceedings they have started.

“Council officers will continue to liaise with Lidl until the matter is addressed. It is expected the site will be vacant mid-week.”

Lidl communications officer Sophie Lambert-Russell said they hoped to secure an order for the removal of the travellers today (August 23).

She said: “We were incredibly concerned to hear about the issues at our site in Enfield. As soon as we were made aware we contacted bailiffs and have secured an appointment to collect the necessary court documents and securing a hearing date.

“We are working closely with local authority teams to ensure the land is returned in a reasonable manner and would like to reassure local residents we will be taking steps to secure the site."