The site of Bexley Council’s old offices has been left looking like a bomb site following the "serious blow" of Tesco pulling out of the planned development.

Bexleyheath and Crayford MP David Evennett said he feared the whole borough’s "future would suffer" as a result of the retail giant backing out and it is rumoured Welling High Street store could also be in for the chop.

The complex in Albion Road would have brought in 370 jobs and 494 parking spaces to Bexley.

However Tesco’s CEO Dave Lewis announced on Thursday (Jan 9) the store would no longer build on the Albion Road site, which housed Bexley Council’s offices until last year.

Many politicians and residents have voiced their frustration over the débâcle, which has left the site "an unsightly hole in the ground".

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Bexley Labour Group’s leader Councillor Alan Deadman said the lost development could lead to greater cuts and employment issues.

He said: "For years this council has led us to believe Tesco was the best option for taking over the old Civic Offices. 

"The council’s financial plans would have factored in the income from business rates for the site, but this will now mean more cuts as a result. 

"We don't want this site to sit empty for years blighting the area in the way the Tesco land in Dartford has."

Resident Brian Buzzing, 78, lives near the site in Pelham Road and told News Shopper: "It’s a shame all those jobs won’t come to Bexley. 

"Obviously Tesco have over-stretched themselves. They must be down to their last six or seven million."

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The retired magician added: "I’ve also heard rumours Tesco was going to shut the Welling store."

Bexley Council leader Councillor Teresa O’Neill said:  "We will be meeting with Tesco to discuss the plans for their site and we will be working actively with them to ensure that any future plans enable the town to continue to prosper."

A Tesco spokesman would not confirm if the Welling High Street branch would close but said: "Our first priority is to consult colleagues who are impacted by these changes and we will be speaking to them over the coming weeks."

Mr Evennett said: "Tesco urgently needs to outline what its plans will now be for the former Civic Offices site, which is currently just an unsightly hole in the ground."

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Erith and Thamesmead MP Teresa Pearce said: "This is a serious blow for the borough's regeneration plans."

Tesco also pulled out of the complex in Lowfield Street, Dartford, following 12 years of broken promises about its development, leaving residents and business-leaders fuming.

WHAT NOW?

News Shopper ran a poll asking readers how they would like to see the Albion Road site used:

  • Another supermarket like Waitrose should take over - 16 per cent (65 respondents)
  • A department store - 38 per cent (158)
  • A park - 21 per cent (89)
  • A leisure centre - 13 per cent (55)
  • Some nice flats - 12 per cent (51)