Tesco opens its smaller Goodge Street store

Tesco reopened its Goodge Street shop on Thursday morning after a refurbishment which has left customers with a supermarket less than half the size of what it was when it closed last summer.

The Goodge Street store was one of the 89 stores that were downgraded from the “Metro” to “Express” format in 2021.

Following its re-branding as an Express store a planning application was submitted in 2022 to expand the neighbouring offices and shrink the retail shop which has been an important part of Goodge Street since 1966.

The Charlotte Street Association residents’ group objected to the application, stating that the store is an important and affordable shop for local residents.

“The proposals as submitted indicate that the applicant wishes to reduce the size of the Tesco store,” they wrote to Camden’s planning department.

“There is no shortage of office space in Fitzrovia. But there is a need to maintain a retail shop at Goodge Street that is both viable and serves the needs to the residential community with a wide range of affordable groceries. Over the years local people have supported the Tesco store at Goodge Street as it provides affordable produce in a neighbourhood increasingly gentrified, and a shopping street sadly in decline.

“The reduced size of the store would have a negative effect on the choice of products for local residents and may undermine the store’s viability. The Tesco store is an important ‘anchor’ premises that supports the wider vitality of the street. It is the only retail premises on Goodge Street that provides for the everyday needs of the local population.

“For the above reasons, the application should be refused,” they wrote.

However, planning permission was granted by Camden Council and the store shut in August of 2023 while it underwent a total refit.

Aside from a reduced shop floor area, stock deliveries into the store now arrive at the front of the store into a smaller warehouse area.

In September 2022, a Tesco spokesperson told Fitzrovia News: “We appreciate this Tesco Express plays an important role in the local community and we look forward to continuing to provide a high quality range of products at this store.”