The company has sized up an Express store for the canalside unit previously held by Sushi Salsa

CAMDEN Lock and the iconic bridge over the canal are one of the picture-book definitions of an area which is meant to ooze boho charm and be defiantly alternative to the rest.

But a new planning application has revealed the impending arrival of something best described as a little more mainstream: the punks of Camden Town will soon have the chance to get lunchtime meal deals at a Tesco.

The supermarket giant is preparing to open its fourth “Express” store in Camden Town by fitting out the closed-down canalside restaurant Sushi Salsa.

The Japanese eatery on the tourist-magnet stretch known as Camden Wharf shut permanently earlier this year with Companies House documents suggesting debts of more than £250,000.

Tesco’s store will slot in next to the Shake Shack burger chain and close to the Wetherspoons. Beyond the four branches of Tesco that will be up and running, there are 13 supermarkets – big and small – within a 10-minute walk.

The supermarket has applied to Camden Council for permission to install a gas cooler and three air-conditioning units on a first-floor roof, but the change of use from a restaurant does not need consent due to changes in planning classes introduced in 2020.

It will, however, need an alcohol licence and wants customers to be able to buy from 6am to midnight, seven days a week.

Tesco’s agent said in a letter to the Town Hall that there are “limited residential properties nearby” but residents’ groups in the area have repeatedly challenged these claims and warned of a saturation of places to buy alcohol and resulting noise and anti-social behaviour.