Tesco has announced plans to convert a Grade II listed former pub into a store.

The supermarket giant submitted a planning application for three flats and retail space on the ground floor for the site of the Doctor Johnson, in Longwood Gardens, Barkingside.

In May, campaigning squatters group, Suspenses Property Guardians, had hoped to transform the pub, which has been derelict for three years, into a community asset.

The squatters hoped to strike a deal with Colverton Properties to re-open the building, but efforts stalled because the landlord was in a long-running legal dispute with its tenant, Spirit Pub Company.

Now Tesco has announced plans to convert the old building into a store on the ground floor and flats on the first floor.

A spokesman said: “We are confident that our store would be popular with customers as it would offer a wide range of products in a convenient location and create around 20 jobs for local people.

“We will be sure to keep the local community updated as our plans progress.”