Comment: Opposition to new Tesco in Bristol is small but loud
In Britain we have a great tradition of moaning about things, especially if they are innovative, unusual...or related to Tesco.
And if the thing in question is a large new Tesco being proposed for a built-up area, then we can be sure there will be complaints.
Throw in the possibility that the new Tesco will have a direct relationship with a football stadium being built on the green belt and the voices of opposition will be deafening.
The problem with all of this is that there are voices of opposition but although they make a lot of noise, in number they are quite small.
This is often the nature of protest.
A vocal and well-organised minority can attract a lot of attention for the simple reason that they are the only ones making any kind of noise.
However, all this, it appears, is changing with the row over the proposed Tesco on the site of Bristol City's Ashton Gate stadium.
A new group has been formed which is backing the development, in direct opposition to the established Berate campaigners.
They make some interesting points.
One of the flaws in Berate's argument has been when they point out that there are already superstores in the area. They say that another store will take even more shoppers away from the small businesses.
This defies reason.
Surely they are not saying that a Tesco will lead to an entirely new breed of supermarket shopper.
What is more likely is that existing supermarket shoppers will have more choice and perhaps the small shops will be unscathed.
At any rate, this is shaping up as one of the biggest planning issues Bristol has seen for some time.
4 Comments
by Steve Stevens, Bristol
Saturday, October 10 2009, 9:42AM
“Quite. It's not just BERATE who are making the case against Tesco, it's the council's own planning officers.
In terms of support, there really is no support for a Tesco at all.
There is support for a new Bristol City stadium from a large percentage of city's supporters. That's understandable.
The only reason these people are in favour of a Tesco is because Steve Lansdown says the only way to fund a stadium is to build a Tesco. No-one has really questioned whether this is true or not.
In many ways, it's not the case that anyone *wants* a Tesco. People *want* a new stadium - and accept at face value what one very rich man tells them is true.
It's more true to say that people would tolerate a Tesco because they believe Steve Lansdown that it is the only way to fund a stadium.”
by Mike Ford ¿(¿¿¿¿¿)¿, Bristol
Friday, October 09 2009, 10:51AM
“S, You say that Berate are making a good case against Tescos. They really aren't. All they are doing is putting crappy signs in their windows, and moaning incessantly.”
by Fred, Filton
Friday, October 09 2009, 10:06AM
“So if Tesco is built, are you really saying no one will shop there because they don't want it? Twaddle. It will be heaving with people.”
by S, Hotwells
Friday, October 09 2009, 8:55AM
“How can the EP say the opposition is load when the paper -the only paper in the city- is 100% behind the plans for a tesco, a football stadium on green belt land and the housing sprawl, and full of pages saying that Britain's world cup bid depends on it? If that is not vocal I don't know what is.
The fact that BERATE are making a good case against Tescos, the fact that the council's own planning department say the hypermarket isn't needed, show how the people in the area really don't want a new Tesco.”