How the new Sainsbury’s store will look

RESIDENTS and business owners living near Hampstead Heath have called on the council to refuse an alcohol licence for a new supermarket, warning it could put nearby independent shops out of business.

Supermarket giant Sainsbury’s will appear before the Town Hall’s licensing committee today (Thursday) in an attempt to secure an alcohol licence for a “convenience store” they are preparing to open in Gordon House Road.

The shop, which will fill two units in Spectrum House, has already been granted planning permission by the council.

But Aziz Er, owner of 312 Natural convenience store, said he was “worried” about the arrival of the shop. “It’s going to affect us. We are an independent business for the local community. We have high rent and [business] rates. “Everywhere prices are going so high, and we’re trying to keep them low for local people. If Sainsbury’s comes around there, how are we going to survive?”

“People passing on the way to the Heath, they come to us because we’re on the way,” he said. “In this area, people are so good, we like them so much. There has to be someone here like us, an independent store that tries to do all the best for all people from the community.”

He is also concerned about the impact on his staff, adding: “We have staff, we look after them, they work for us, they have their families, so it might affect their families as well.”

Meanwhile, Anand Jani, who works at News Food and Wine in Highgate Road, said: “If Sainsbury’s comes, it’s going to affect all our local businesses. People may go to the supermarket rather than coming to us.”

Resident Paul Mitchell told the New Journal: “I am pretty agnostic on the issue. I like all our little local shops, but I’m guessing they are more expensive than Sainsbury – some people might… need a cheaper solution in walking distance. I have no idea how many mini-supermarkets this area can support.”

But Gospel Oak resident Gillian Dale-Skey said she was worried the supermarket would impact Queen’s Crescent market and businesses on Mansfield Road.

“You’ve got all the folk in Kiln Place who’d normally wander down to [Queen’s Crescent] market, or across to the shops on Mansfield Road, who will now go to Sainsbury’s,” she said. “This alcohol licence is going to take away business from the corner shops… I think we’re already well-catered for,” she added.

Ms Dale-Skey said residents are also concerned that the alcohol licence may bring anti-social behaviour to the area. “I’m not particularly happy about the excess noise we’re going to get,” she said. She added that she was disappointed the council had granted planning permission for Sainsbury’s to move into the building.

“Turning it into a shop instead of social housing is my biggest concern,” she said. “Instead of granting somebody who wants to make lots of money another shop, we don’t need it – we need housing, please.”

The New Journal was unable to get a response from Sainsbury’s this week but an application form submitted on behalf of the company said: “Signage will be displayed at the exit of the premises requesting customers leaving the premises late at night to do so quietly and with consideration so as not to disturb nearby residents. “The applicant will at all times maintain adequate levels of staff and security.”