THIS week the preliminary results of an inquiry into the state of the food retail sector suggested corner shops are unlikely to survive beyond 2015.

A leaked copy of the cross-party small shops group's report suggested the competition in the industry is being ruthlessly eradicated, with MPs saying independent traders are closing down at "an alarming rate".

Independent traders in Gwent told the Argus they are finding it increasingly hard to compete with the low-priced supermarkets.

In the four decades that Rowland's Newsagent in Pontypool has served the community, the face of retail has changed beyond recognition.

The busy corner shop in Pontymoile is still doing a brisk trade, but owner Janice Rowland says the days of the small local shop are numbered as the big supermarkets increase their vice-like grip on the market.

The 54-year-old has worked behind the counter for 33 years. "The future does look bleak - the big supermarkets are taking over," she said, adding: "I have extremely loyal customers, who are my friends as well, so we make a living."

Mrs Rowland backs MPs' calls for an inquiry into the monopoly of the big supermarkets, which are now threatening to squeeze more and more small shops out of business.

Kamlesh Desai, manager of K & D News, in Chepstow Road, Newport, says the supermarkets' provision of cut-price products amounts to unfair trading.

Mr Desai believes controls should be placed on the prices supermarkets are charging. He has owned his store for 11 years and says trade has been drastically affected in recent years, since the opening of a Tesco store in Spytty Road.

He added: "All the smaller shops will be gone in ten years' time if it carries on. Maybe then people will realise it is wrong."

The key to survival, according to Ian Dobbins, 39, who has worked in his family's shop in Abergavenny for 33 years, is to diversify.

But he concedes smaller shops face an uphill battle.

He said: "We've already seen a couple of corner shops close recently. We're lucky because we're on a housing estate, although we felt the ripples when the big Asda opened in Brynmawr.

"The government doesn't seem to be doing anything about it, but I think the way the supermarkets operate should be looked at.

"They shouldn't allow them to move into the corner shop market - it's not fair."

Tesco has told MPs it hopes to double the number of its own small shops on high streets to 1,200 within the next ten years.

The leaked report into the state of the sector is due to be published at the end of the month.

It is likely to increase pressure for a renewed watchdog probe.