A TESCO store is so loved by the locals it has been granted protection by councillors after developers had wanted to knock it down.
The site of the supermarket in Dean Street, central London, has been officially recognised as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by Westminster City Council after it was nominated by the Soho Society.
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In October, councillors rejected a plan to knock the Tesco store down along with an Art Deco building and replace it with offices, retail units and an “art bazaar,” according to MyLondon.
Chair Cllr Ruth Bush told members of the local authority’s planning committee there was “no concept” behind the proposal.
Locals also questioned the need for offices and an “art bazaar”.
Resident David Bieda said: “You can’t buy your fruit and vegetables with a bit of public art.”
In the wake of that decision, the Soho Society, which aims to promote and protect the famous London district, nominated the supermarket to become an ACV due to the contribution it made to the local community.
The council has now agreed to recognise the site, saying it offered the “best range of products and price points” in the area.
Westminster Council say the ACV status relates to the site as a supermarket rather than a Tesco specifically – they are just the current operator of the site.
It’s not possible to nominate an operator as an ACV.
Should the site it occupies go up for sale, the community will be offered the chance to purchase it first.
It will remain an ACV for five years.
Councillor Geoff Barraclough, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, said: “Local supermarkets are staples of daily life, and it is well known that there are fewer places in central London for grocery shopping.
“That is why I am pleased we can mark this supermarket in Soho as an asset to the community, acknowledging that it is serving local people by providing space for a wide range of affordable food.”
The Dean Street site is now the sixth active ACV in Westminster.
The others are The Coach and Horses pub in Greek Street, the Heaven nightclub, Queen’s Park Hall/All Stars Boxing Gym in Harrow Road, Prince’s Square Gardens, and the Curzon Cinema in Mayfair.
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