Camden News: Tesco | Britannia pub

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Camden News - by CHARLOTTE CHAMBERS and KEVIN LISTER
Published: 28 August 2008

Site of the Britannia pub now owned by Tesco

Calls for Tesco store plans to be shelved

SUPERMARKET giants Tesco will go head to head with neighbours tonight (Thursday) in a fight over plans to move to the site of a former West Hampstead pub.
Tesco bought the former Britannia pub at the junction of Belsize Road and Hilgrove Road two years ago, but are still battling to get the Express store open after rows with nearby residents.
Tesco have the right to move in automatically – they do not need a change of use permission to turn a pub into a shop.
But the company will tonight learn if its plans for the store’s frontage, including signs and bright lights, air-conditioning and a cashpoint, win the approval of council officials.
Their proposals have so far faced strong opposition from some residents concerned about the impact of the shop on the area.
Sixty-nine objectors fired off letters to the Town Hall over fears the shop would attract crime, noise and light pollution from delivery lorries and shop signs.
They also argued that with three supermarkets less than 10 minutes away in Finchley Road, there was no need for another one. A decision is due to be taken by planners at a meeting tonight.
Kilburn ward councillor Janet Grauberg said: “The fact is that planning permission was granted in 1967 for a pub – something completely different with shorter opening hours – and the planning rules means any shop can come in and have a 24-hour store.”
Asad Gill, owner of Fairprice newsagent in Fairfax Road, said: “Tescos are a powerful conglomerate and by opening here all the little shops will suffer or even go out of business.”
Planning officers have recommended the application is approved.
A Tesco spokeswoman said: “We’ve got 800 Express stores throughout the country – we do our research. We think they will use this site.”

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If traders have been warned about the consequences and still ignored them in this way they should be named and shamed. It's disgraceful.
Georgina Parry