Campaigners say “No” to new Tesco in Lower Clapton at town hall protest

CAMPAIGNERS took a stand on the steps of Hackney Town Hall yesterday evening (October 6) against the arrival of a supermarket giant in Lower Clapton Road.

Residents and traders held a demonstration ahead of the council’s planning sub-committee meeting to discuss plans for a new Tesco Express.

Supermarket bosses wanted to put up bollards, signs and a new shop front at a retail unit empty since 2006.

But planning chiefs failed to give the shop the go-ahead by deferring a decision to lift loading restrictions.

And protesters, who fear the new store would damage family-run businesses and increase noise and traffic, welcomed the move.

Ian Rathbone, on behalf of Leabridge ward councillors, said: “We have played Tescopoly and it looks like we’ve thrown some winning dice today with the deferment of any planning committee decision on their using mega-ton lorries to deliver into the street of Lower Clapton Road.

“As we have said before - Please, Tesco – do us and yourself a favour. You make �3billion profit every year already – go somewhere else. Haven’t you got enough stores already in Hackney?”

Tesco Express does not need council permission to open a store on the site. But campaigners are hoping to block plans by opposing some details of the development that do need authorisation.

Lower Clapton Road resident, Emily Webber, said: “The meeting was a series of small victories for us which include some important restrictions being put in place and a further investigation into the application that worried me the most. I just hope it is a thorough investigation. It encourages me that the community do have a voice, even if we have to work hard to get it heard.”

Tesco spokeswoman Carol Leslie said: “Tesco Express is a small convenience store designed to serve people in the immediate neighbourhood.

“We think this is an excellent location. However it will be the local people who decide whether the store is successful or not”.