Campaign group Stokey Local organised the procession as a mock funeral for the local economy.

Protesters dressed as zombies rose up against plans for a new Sainsbury’s supermarket in the heart of Stoke Newington.

About three hundred people joined the demonstration from Wilmer Place through the town centre and a further three hundred supporters lined the streets on Saturday (October 1).

Campaign group Stokey Local organised the procession as a mock funeral for the local economy.

They fear a 2,200sq m store, 94 underground parking spaces and 44 flats planned for Wilmer Place, on the corner of Stoke Newington High Street and Church Street, will kill off independent businesses nearby.

“We just wanted to have a small event highlighting the concerns we have about the development so it was wonderful that six hundred people turned up to show their support,” said Jane Holgate of Stokey Local.

“Our main concern is not about Sainsbury’s per se but the size of this development and the high concentration of supermarkets in the area.

“It will really impact on small businesses.”

Sainsbury’s and Newmark Property Investments are yet to submit a planning application to the council but Stokey Local has already collected thousands of signatures in protest at the proposals.

Almost three hundred people have also signed a petition supporting calls for a public meeting, which both the developers and supermarket bosses have so far snubbed.