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Petition aims to block new store
MORE than 1,000 people have signed a petition against a new Tesco Express store opening in Lisson Grove.
It was handed in to Westminster Council and Tesco last Tuesday.
The outlet would be the supermarket’s 10th shop within a square mile.
Independent traders say they are unable to compete with Tesco and fear they will be forced to close. Traffic would also be brought to a standstill with delivery trucks blocking a narrow thoroughfare into the West End, the campaigners claim.
Martin Thompson, who lives in Harewood Avenue, St John’s Wood, has organised the campaign.
He said: “We believe that a new multinational store on this site would have a disastrous effect on the viability and vibrancy of the existing parade of shops and the wider economy locally.
“Shop closures would further erode both retail diversity and consumer choice and would result in empty and boarded-up shop units and the loss of income from business rates.”
He added: “It is not unreasonable to predict gridlock at these times. This is unless deliveries were to be made at unsociable hours at which times local residents would potentially suffer unreasonable noise and vibration pollution.”
A public consultation is underway and Westminster City Council will make a decision on the application next month.
Tesco was unavailable for comment. |
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