Threat to local shops continues as Tesco decision delayed

6.29.12pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Aug 2007

Martin is fighting hard for local independent shops

The dark shadow hanging over the future of local independent shops in Lisson Grove from the proposed opening of a new Tesco lengthened in the past few days as a decision on it by Westminster Council was delayed until September. The Council was scheduled to discuss the plans in mid-August.

The delay, as Tesco works on plans to modify the existing loading bay in Hayes Place, does nothing to alleviate the anxiety caused by the multinational's plans to open another new store. It follows an earlier delay, which only compounds the problems for local shopkeepers.

Local Liberal Democrat campaigner, Martin Thompson, who has been fighting doggedly against the plans, said: "I have now submitted the 1,100-signature petition to both Tesco and the Council. Local people are calling on Tesco to withdraw their application for what would be at least their ninth store within just a mile of this site. If this appeal to Tesco is ignored then the petition calls on the Council to reject the plans."

Martin, who lives a stone's throw from the site, continued, "Owners of local independent shops tell us that if this new Tesco Express is given the green light by the Council then it would kill off their businesses. Deliveries to the new Tesco would cause additional congestion and threaten traffic chaos on an already busy road. There is a primary school directly opposite the site. I would be worried about the safety of the children from the additional traffic. Has that been thought about?"

He added, "We must resist Tesco, and any other multinational supermarket chain from opening on this site. We do not want to run the risk of seeing the local independent shops we do have close down and become boarded up. That would potentially attract anti-social behaviour in the area."

Martin is encouraging local residents and businesspeople to lodge their views directly with the Council's planning department. This can be done by writing to Amanda Coulson, Assistant Area Team Leader, North Area Planning Team, at Westminster City Council, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP. Anyone doing this should quote planning application reference number 07/03696/FULL, which is for the address of the proposed new store, 18 Hayes Place and 26-48 Lisson Grove, NW1 6LF.