Traders have claimed a new supermarket will breathe fresh life into a shopping arcade.

A Tesco Express store will open at the former Helibed site in Botley’s West Way arcade on Tuesday, February 23.

Shopkeepers and community leaders said the store’s arrival would lure more people to the area and boost the local economy.

Kate El-Barhdadi who has run the neighbouring Rococo cafe for five years with her husband Hamed, said: “We are delighted with this development.

“It will bring a lot more people to the area and will help smarten up this end of the arcade. It is great news for us.”

Andrew Birkett, who has run carpet store Oxford Interiors for 22 years, added: “It will bring a lot more people to West Way and will make this end of the arcade look a lot better.

“I think this will breathe new life into the area. We may even sell a few more carpets because of it.”

And Lee Lovegrove, from Clovers discount store, added: “People living around here won’t have to use the out-of-town supermarkets now, which means they will shop more in this area.”

In 2008 the West Way centre’s landlord Vale of White Horse District Council announced plans to redevelop the shopping arcade and adjoining Elms Parade as part of its wider scheme to build 11,560 new homes across the district.

Specific details of the scheme have not been revealed.

Council leader Tony de Vere said: “Redevelopment plans are no further along from where they were in 2008.

“If this were a new development, Tesco would have had to make some community pledges, whether it be investment in the arts or a commitment to new roads.

“However, because they just filling an existing unit, no such pledges need to be made.”

Mr de Vere added: “On balance, I think Tesco will be good for the area. I think it will bring more people to West Way and help boost the arcade.”

North Hinksey Parish Council chairman Briony Newport said: “Better to have a shop there than an empty unit.”

Shopper Susan Gale, from Summertown, said other businesses in the arcade would have to “pull their socks up.”

Ben Nicholson, 24, of Botley, added: “West Way has look quite dilapidated for a while and any new arrival has go to be a good thing.”

Tesco spokesman Lauren Nicklinson said: “We are delighted to be opening a store in Botley and look forward to February’s launch.

“We are hoping to have a positive effect on the local area and look forward to playing an active part in the community.”

A spokesman for Mid-Counties Co-operative, which also has a store in West Way, was unavailable for comment.