A ‘desperately needed’ Tesco Express may be coming to Bracknell Town centre.

A premises licensing application has been sent to Bracknell Forest Council for the supermarket store to open in Unit 1, Princess Square.

Bracknell Town centre has been without a small supermarket chain since the closure of Sainsbury’s local in February 2020. There is currently a One Stop convenience store, and larger Marks and Spencer and Waitrose supermarkets close by, as well as a Poundland in Princess Square.

The new Tesco, if approved, would be at the entrance to Princess Square, close to Starbucks and near to the bus and train stations.

It would be open 6am and 12am, Monday to Sunday.

Tesco Stores Limited has applied to Bracknell Forest Council’s Licensing authority for permission to sell late-night refreshment between the hours of 11pm and 12am from Monday to Sunday.

A notice of the application has been put up outside the premises.

Shared on Facebook, many residents rejoiced at the news of the supermarket coming to Bracknell town centre.

One wrote that it was ‘desperately needed’ given the closure of Sainsbury’s local in 2020.

The rival supermarket was described as ‘the lifeline’ of the community following the news of its closure. Also located in Princess Square, it closed its doors after 36 years.

One elderly resident told the News in 2020 that himself and others were ‘at a loss’ due to the closure.

Rupert Raikes from Harmans Water, who took the bus to the supermarket, said: “The shop means a lot more to people than you’d expect. Pensioners feel attacked because it’s a lifeline, people meet at the bus when they go to Sainsbury’s and make conversation. It gets people out of their homes, so this really is an urgent issue.”

Other locals said the Tesco’s would be a positive addition to the Lexicon, with one writing that it ‘definitely does not need any more restaurants or food chain outlets’.

Since the opening of the Lexicon in 2017, many large units have gone to popular chain restaurants, including Wagamama, The Real Greek and Las Iguanas. Other popular café spots including Pret a Manger and Gails have also opened.

Any objections to the provision of alcohol were to be sent to the council by August 30.

The next licencing and safety committee will take place on Thursday, October 24, but it is not yet clear whether a decision will be made in this meeting, or before.