Soho grocery store recognised as a community asset

The Tesco Express store on Dean Street has been recognised as an Asset of Community Value

A central London local supermarket saved from demolition has been formally recognised as a community asset.

Westminster City Council has designated the Dean Street store in Soho as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

Tim Lord, chair of the Soho Society, said residents responded in a survey to say the supermarket would be "something they'd really miss" if it was redeveloped.

ACV status provides additional protection from development, he said.

Councillors sitting on the local authority's planning committee in October rejected plans to knock down the store, which is currently a Tesco Express, along with an Art Deco building, and replace them with office space and retail units.

Following the committee's decision, the Soho Society, which works to promote and protect the district, nominated the supermarket to become an ACV due to its contribution to the local community.

The council has since agreed to recognise the store as such, describing it as offering the "best range of products and price points" in the area, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

The designation of the Tesco as an ACV means if the property it occupies goes 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 said local supermarkets were "staples of daily life"

Mr Lord said there were about 2,600 residents in Soho - an area best known for its eateries, bars and clubs - and there needed to be a balance between meeting the needs of businesses, visitors and residents.

"It is very clear that the main grocery shopping store is this Tesco," he said.

Mr Lord added that while the community could not raise the millions needed to buy the site if it were put up for sale, the ACV status "puts a marker down" for any future planning decisions.

Labour 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."

'Deficiency zones'

Most residents within the borough of Westminster are within a 10 minutes walk of a convenience store, according to a 2019 council report.

The report identifies "deficiency zones" in certain areas of the Queen's Park, Tachbrook, Churchill and Bayswater wards, mainly due to low population densities and limited access to existing convenience stores.

The Dean Street Tesco becomes the sixth active ACV in Westminster.

Others are The Coach and Horses pub in Greek Street, the nightclub Heaven, Queen's Park Hall/All Stars Boxing Gym in Harrow Road, Prince's Square Gardens, and the Curzon Cinema in Mayfair.

Additional reporting by Ben Lynch, Local Democracy Reporter

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