Labour and the Conservatives both wrong on new supermarkets for Church Street, says LibDem Martin Thompson

1.02.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 23rd Jun 2008

Local LibDem campaigner Martin Thompson opposes calls from Labour for more new supermarkets in the Church Street area, especially after the Conservative-run council has already given the green light to yet another new Tesco.

Labour and Conservative politicians in Westminster are wrong to want more new supermarkets in the Church Street area, according to local Liberal Democrat campaigner Martin Thompson.

Writing in the local press earlier this month [page 17, Wood & Vale, 13th June], Labour's leader on the council, Paul Dimoldenberg, told readers that he and his Labour colleagues wanted "urgent action" to build a new supermarket on the corner of Church Street and Edgware Road. This is despite the fact that there is already a Tesco Metro within a stone's throw.

Responding, Liberal Democrat campaigner Martin Thompson, pictured, said, "Paul Dimoldenberg wrote that Church Street residents 'badly need' a new supermarket. Is he mad? There is already a Tesco Metro on Church Street. In fact, it's just 75 paces from the site where he wants a new supermarket. I know because I walked it and counted.

"Added to that, there is a big Somerfield a few minutes' walk down Edgware Road. There is an M&S is on the other side of Edgware Road. There is already a Tesco Metro on Praed Street, again only a few minutes' walk away. Oh, and there is another M&S at Marylebone station. I could go on."

Labour's call for more new supermarkets in the Church Street area follows a decision by Conservative-run Westminster council in recent months to give the green light to yet another new Tesco, on the corner of Lisson Grove and Hayes Place. The Liberal Democrats, in a campaign led by Martin Thompson, vigorously opposed this proposal.

Westminster's Conservative MP Mark Field also wrote on the ConservativeHome.com website in May defending the rise of the supermarkets, under the headline, 'Supermarkets are to be rejoiced as a free market success story'.

Martin said, "Here in Westminster, both Labour and the Conservatives are acting like cheerleaders as the supermarkets open more and more branches.

"My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I believe very firmly that whilst supermarkets have their place on our streets, we should also ensure that there is space for independent shops and the sort of vibrant street market that we see in Church Street."