Tesco joins luvvie’s growing list of woes

HE has railed against the scourge of leaf blowers in his leafy enclave of London and cried foul over a famous footballer neighbour’s plans to install a 40ft fish tank.

Now the prospect of a Tesco opening near veteran luvvie Tom Conti’s £17.5million Hampstead home can be added to his growing list of woes.

The 75-year-old Scottish actor – famous for his portrayal of Costas Caldes in 1989 movie Shirley Valentine – said he was horrified his favourite local Budgens shop is under threat from the supermarket giant.

Conti, whose six-bed mansion is around a mile from the store, hit out after Tesco announced a £3.7billion takeover of Budgens owner Booker.

He and 2,000 other locals – including Emma Thompson and Janet Suzman – successfully fought off a bid to open a Tesco in the area in 2015.

In an interview with his local newspaper, the Ham and High, he said: ‘It is horrifying news. It’s terrible payback after our campaign. The fear is that Tesco will reduce the quality of the food and raise prices. Budgens in Belsize Park is known for its high quality and great range of food.’

Tesco is not the only famous name Conti, originally from Paisley, Renfrewshire, has clashed with. In 2012 he was infuriated after former Arsenal star Thierry Henry got the green light to demolish a neighbouring property and replace it with a modern design including a 40ft fish tank.

Last year he faced ridicule after complaining in Channel 4 show Posh Neighbours at War about newcomers’ poor etiquette in hiring gardeners who use noisy leaf blowers.

And this week he threatened to withhold part of his council tax over Camden Council’s plans for fortnightly bin collections.