A retail company has filed a planning proposal to enlarge one of its Brighton stores.
The Co-operative Group has submitted detailed documentation to extend its current outlet located at the Seven Dials commercial area into two adjacent commercial units.
The properties at 102 and 104 Dyke Road previously accommodated café deli Latina and independent wine merchant Seven Cellars.
Both businesses have ceased operations following the supermarket conglomerate’s decision not to extend their tenancy agreements, which enabled the takeover of the premises.
The commercial enterprise secured the head leases for the pair of Victorian buildings from the previous property owner during 2022.
This acquisition ignited sustained opposition from independent traders and local residents determined to preserve the shopping parade’s independent character.
Seven Cellars proprietor Louise Oliver characterised the supermarket chain’s approach as morally objectionable despite being within legal boundaries, after being informed that her establishment would be displaced.
Speaking to this publication in July 2025, she explained that the business operators had no desire to relocate but recognised the necessity of securing alternative premises.
She noted that eviction had previously been impossible due to tenancy protections and that information regarding the 2022 lease acquisition only came to light subsequently.
She stated that the Co-operative Group had demonstrated no consideration for locally-owned family enterprises and appeared indifferent during a period when concerns about independent retail decline were widely discussed.
She emphasised that the issue extended beyond personal preference, with significant consequences for the broader local economic environment.
More than fourteen thousand individuals appended their signatures to a formal objection against the enlargement scheme, while community members gathered in demonstration outside the retail premises to demonstrate solidarity with the departing independent businesses.
A representative for the Co-operative Group previously stated that existing tenant agreements had been honoured in full and were approaching natural expiration.
The spokesperson indicated that alternative arrangements had been investigated but the necessary planning consent had been declined.
The company expressed intentions to extend the premises and implement required improvements to supporting facilities.
The submitted proposal outlines the consolidation of ground-floor areas across numbers 100, 102 and 104 to form a considerably larger integrated retail space.
Structural modifications would involve the removal of interior partition walls to link the former café and wine merchant establishments directly with the current supermarket trading area, creating additional product display capacity and contemporary aisle configurations.
The documentation further details comprehensive alterations to operational infrastructure, including centralised stock holding areas, designated refuse storage sections and enhanced employee amenity spaces.
The application requests authorisation to position two external condensing units within a sound-attenuating structure intended to minimise acoustic impact on neighbouring households.
The external appearance of the 1841 single-storey Victorian terrace would undergo transformation, encompassing new glazing installations, coordinated timber stallrisers and updated company branding across the enlarged storefront.
The proposal carries the reference identifier BH2026/01929.