Londoners love this Tesco so much it’s been given special council protection

Londoners love of a local Tesco has saved it from demolition after councillors granted it protection from developers who wants to knock it down.

The store in Dean Street has officially been recognised as an Asset of Community Value (ACV) by Westminster City Council after a nomination from the Soho Society.

Councillors rejected plans to knock down the Tesco to replace it with office space and an ‘art bazaar’ in October, MyLondon reports.

Resident David Bieda said: ‘You can’t buy your fruit and vegetables with a bit of public art.’

The council’s decision prompted the Soho Society, which protects the district, to nominate the store for an ACV for five years.

This means if the property ever goes up for sale, the community will be offered first if they want to buy it.

This was met with agreement, with the council saying it offers the ‘the best range of products and price points’ in the area.

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.’

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