The Dean Street Tesco Express

THE Soho Society has applied to list a Tesco Express building as an “asset of community value” following a save-our-supermarket campaign against developers.

The charity wants Westminster City Council to make sure there is always a place for low-cost shopping in Soho.

Last month councillors rejected a plan from developer Hines to knock down the Tesco building in Dean Street and replace it with a restaurant and offices.

During the planning process many residents had spoken about the importance of having a low-cost supermarket in the area.

Soho Society chairman Tim Lord said: “We did a petition on the issue and a number of people came back to say they really value the Tesco store on Dean Street based on its location… full service and good value. Smaller supermarkets do not have the things you need to cook with and or are more expensive. Some residents don’t want to have to carry heavy shopping a long way on foot.”

He added: “It forces residents to drive or order online which is bad for the environment.

“If Soho loses its main supermarket it degrades Soho as a place to live.”

The application to make the Tesco building an ACV, asset of community value, was filed on October 18 and a decision is due on December 13.

Soho Society chairman Tim Lord

Mr Lord said Tesco provided an important service for the community when very few community shops remain in the area.

He added: “We know that without these shops the community is reduced. We don’t just want to be a place for tourists so we think it’s an important asset.”

If the ACV is approved, it would give the city council’s planning department more ammunition to ensure that a low-cost supermarket remains in any future development.

If the owner wished to sell, the community would be notified and given the opportunity to bid on the property within a six-month period.

Only specific entities with a local connection, like charities and parish councils, can apply for this status which lasts for five years and requires renewal after those five years.

According to a list of approved ACVs in Westminster, one protecting the India Club in Strand – applied for by the Soho Society after a community campaign in 2018 – expired on November 2.

Other ACVs recently to expire or soon to expire include the Bayswater Medical Centre building, the Hospital for Women in Soho Square, the Coach and Horses pub in Soho and, in 2025, Heaven nightclub in Villiers Street.

The Soho Society is asking anyone who supports the application to protect the Tesco building to email communityassets@westminster.gov.uk with a copy to admin@thesohosociety.org.uk