Memorial Ground Sainsbury's plan will hit local trade - campaigners claim
CAMPAIGNERS are claiming that plans to build a new Sainsbury's supermarket at the Memorial Ground in Horfield will badly hit trade on the nearby Gloucester Road.
The Green Party has come out against the proposed development claiming local, independent shops will be badly affected.
According to the campaigners a survey commissioned by the council found that if the development goes ahead Gloucester Road shops will lose up to 19 per cent of turnover by 2017, resulting in many local business closures.
Although the report states that most of the losses will be taken by the convenience sector, it also highlights the knock-on effect across all shops on Gloucester Road and the surrounding area.
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Green Party councillor Gus Hoyt, who is also cabinet member for food, neighbourhoods and communities, said: "We must protect our valuable local shops if we are to thrive and survive as a city.
"Gloucester Road is one of the prime examples of a diverse high-street that is the life-blood of our independent traders. It is also one of the last streets in Bristol where there is a choice of grocers - a mega Sainsbury close by could destroy this precious resource, making local food even harder to come by."
Daniella Radice, Green Party candidate for Bishopston, said: "Rejecting the Sainsbury's application is about supporting our local livelihood and culture.
"Thousands flock to Gloucester Road every day of every year because it is unique - a jewel in Bristol's crown. We can't let one of Britain's last remaining high streets get shut down."
Greens have claimed that information provided by Sainsbury's during the initial consultation process was deceptive.
Sainsbury's initially gave the impression that the new store was comparable to their Winterstoke Road shop. In reality the retail floorspace will be larger than Eastville Tesco.
Bristol City Council is obliged by new planning legislation introduced by the coalition, to consider any damage new supermarkets will make to local high streets.
As Bristol City Council's report clearly states, the damage caused by the new Sainsbury's will be considerable. Campaigners and Green Party members have stated their intention to highlight this inconsistency and demand that the city council take serious note of the findings of the report.
A key committee meeting will take place next Wednesday at City Hall at which Daniella Radice will submit a statement as part of the action group opposing the scheme.
Comments
by a_can_of_bees
Monday, January 14 2013, 2:52AM
“"walking down Gloucester road last week i did not see any posters objecting to Sainbury's" (sic)
Yes, that is because of the very real threat that they stores will be trashed by Rovers hooligans if they did identify themselves as against the having a Sainsbury's.”
by franknebula
Sunday, January 13 2013, 5:45PM
“the last census for Horfield the count was less than 12000,
walking down Gloucester road last week i did not see any posters objecting to Sainbury's
there was a petition in the butcher's signed by only 900.
my conclusion is the residents quietly want's this supermarket to go thro.”
by DennisB2012
Saturday, January 12 2013, 10:02AM
“Why are there three articles on this topic posted on the same day - with two by Ian Onions?
Is this because this will mean that some comments will then be overlooked?
I stand by my comments attached to one of Ian Onions' articles and will NOT fall into the trap of repeat them here.....”
by RobBradStoke
Friday, January 11 2013, 5:51PM
“a_can_of_bees;
I think my evidence is in the same place as the evidence from the Greens and anti-stadium protestors - simply in the mind of the person making the statement!”
by a_can_of_bees
Friday, January 11 2013, 5:07PM
“by RobBradStokeFriday, January 11 2013, 2:12PM
"Stop printing such unrepresentative rubbish - most people in area would rather have a supermarket "
Please provide a link to the evidence for this.
Anyway, there are plenty of supermarkets in the area already.”
by sploge1948
Friday, January 11 2013, 4:51PM
“THE COUNCIL IS DOING A GOOD JOB AT SHUTTING DOWN THE SHOPS WITH ITS BUS LANES
JUST LOOK AT OLD MARKET THEY DID A GOOD JOB THERE .I DONT SHOP IN GLOUCESTER ROAD CANT PARK OFF TO THE MALL I CAN PARK AND DONT GET A FINE FOR PARKING”
by Spiggett
Friday, January 11 2013, 4:07PM
“-Will it have a coffee shop then?”
by jacksparrow
Friday, January 11 2013, 3:20PM
“All those people campaigning to save Gloucester Road will surely still shop there so where's the problem? There aren't many essential shops between Filton Avenue and Nevil Road that will be seriously affected, in fact, these shops are likely to to become prime locations and over time we might actually see an improvement in what they have to offer. I live close to Gloucester Road and have not shopped there for years, it has nothing I want at a price I am prepared to pay. In the long term it will probably suffer more loss of business to the internet than a supermarket. As for the green party, you still won't get my vote!!!”
by Iaintno82er
Friday, January 11 2013, 2:57PM
“The Tories being in overall national control will have more of an impact on the local economy!!!!”
by RobBradStoke
Friday, January 11 2013, 2:12PM
“So no equivalent survey to show the huge amount of trade acquired by Gloucester Road traders over the last 5 to ten years due to the large influx of students and young people into the area - due to renting out former family homes to multiple adult rent paying occupants?
Stop printing such unrepresentative rubbish - most people in area would rather have a supermarket than an expanded football stadium - or the alternative of a hundred or more homes built on the Mem.”