Turning the grade II listed Doctor Johnson Pub in Barkingside into a Tesco is better than leaving it in its current state, the MP for Ilford North has said.
Tesco has submitted a planning application for three flats and retail space on the ground floor.
On the Doctor Johnson Pub, Longwood Gardens, in Barkingside, Lee Scott said: “While it would be good to see some community usage for the building, anything is better than what it is now with the silver panels on the windows.”
He added he hoped residents “must be taken into account” before any planning approval was given by Redbridge Council.
Stacy Ismael, owner of nearby pet business Paw-fect, called the proposal “a fantastic idea”.
“At the moment it is a complete eye-sore,” she added.
A Tesco spokesman said: “We are confident that our store would be popular with customers as it would offer a wide range of products in a convenient location and create around 20 jobs for local people.
“We will be sure to keep the local community updated as our plans progress.”
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