Everyone loves a trip to a big Tesco as they sell a huge range of items including groceries, electronics, garden furniture and DIY tools. But the largest Tesco store in the UK, and one of the largest shops in Europe, is located in a small town in Essex.
The Tesco Extra in Pitsea opened in 1978 and was the first of its kind across the UK. It currently spans a whopping 185,000 sq ft and employs around 7,600 staff. The store, which was refurbished at the end of last year, is believed to process around 700,000 transactions every week.
A recent video from TikTok user Google Earth UK showcased the sheer size of the supermarket. It is one of the biggest supermarkets in Europe, with the recent revamp making it bigger than the Tesco store in Walkden, Manchester.
The video said: "Most people have no idea but one of the UK's biggest Tesco stores feels less like a supermarket and more like a full scale expedition. It's not next to a mega-mall and it's definitely not small enough for a quick grab and go.
"This one is so huge you don't just pop in, you plan for it. It's footprint is so vast that it once held the title of the largest Tesco in Europe and some locals believe it still does.
"It's bigger than most Sainsbury's, wider than many train stations and it has everything - groceries, clothing, electronics, garden tools, and even birthday cakes the size of patio tables.
"You'll find aisles of fashion, a DIY section long enough to lose your trolley in, and more frozen goods than an entire Iceland store. There's even a petrol station outside just in case your car uses more fuel than you burn calories inside here."
Last year's refurbishment work saw the Tesco Extra in Pitsea gain an improved cafe and huge clothing department. It also got a new Tesco Travel Money counter and Max Spielmann Photo Shop.
The video continued: "Here, people don't just leave with bananas and biscuits. They walk out with air fryers, hedge trimmers, school uniforms, and SIM cards.
"One shopper joked they came for milk and left with a new sofa. This isn't just a supermarket, it's Britain's most surprising everything under one roof marathon.
"It's name is Tesco Extra Pitsea. And it's still battling for the crown of the UK's biggest."