“good the local shops have limited stock
no variation
overpriced
the pub was dead anyway”

“i am in two minds with this situation.
i think tesco would be a better shop, better branded foods and prices. also more stock.
i have lived here 8 years, and have never been bothered by the pub, apart from the alarm that goes off! but that could happen on a house.
i would definately fight against the building being knocked down; a. because of the good looks and age of it, and b. because of what might be put in it's place. most likely rubbish flats for immigrants of heroin addicts, cos lets face it, they wouldn't be luxury penthouses on axbridge road!!!
also it would turn the whole road into a carpark for vans and lorries for at least a year.
i agree it would be sad for the existing shops, but the way i see it, the pub isn't gonna last much longer, as no-one seems to want run it for more than 6 weeks, then it's shut again.
it's also sad that all the local pubs have been closing down, but i think it's not purely from trouble, but mainly from the beer being so expensive, and people drinking at home.
any thoughts??”

“New Tescos will mean local shops will close down.
It happens everywhere they open!
http://www.tescopoly.org/
Keep on at it Glen!”

“PS - Mr Vowles, you raise the possibility of me not being from Knowle, mmm not unlike your own epetition.

I actually happen to know most of the people who still use the pub and all the people who used to go on the annual football Charity Shield day out to the OLD Wembley Stadium and in Cardiff organised by Ian Hopkins (football tickets) a roofer and Mark Francis (transport organiser) an ex-soldier who still both live just a couple of streets away - and they stopped doing these years ago. One still works in the same building as your brother Tim. Marlene Short the old landlady always organised the bonfire and was helped by locals Stevie Rawlins, Richard Hicks, Paul Nicholls et al.

And I knew Mr Balbir Birk who ran the convenience store until he regrettably passed away a few years back whilst visiting his homeland. A very nice man who loved his family, especially the twins. We were even invited to try some goat curry with him

And I am still good friends with people who use this pub and Eagle House.

I think this qualifies me as a local........enough said I think !!”

“Typical response from Mr Vowles because he doesn't like what I say.

Where did I rant? You are the one doing the ranting because I have sound cohesive arguments - unlike you !!

Just because he doesn't like the big nasty Tescos !!

This is typical of someone who tries to impose their beliefs on others.

Speaking to 10 neighbours, WHO ALL LIVE IN THE SHADOW of the pub within 1 day of you saying a petition being raised isn't bad as a start. Since then I, and they, have spoken to as many friends as they can in Stockwood Crescent, Andover Road, Friendship Road, Broad Walk and our own Axbridge Road - a clear majority of 85% want this to happen.

YOU HAVE NOT RESPONDED TO MY ARGUMENTS ABOUT 30 JOBS BEING CREATED, BETTER AFFORDABLE SHOPPING OR HOW MUCH SAFER WE WILL FEEL WHEN THIS "FRIENDSHIP" PUB IS GONE.

I've looked at your petition, ONLY 11 out of 32 being Knowle or Filwood !! You state more alcoholism and more traffic, don't make me laugh. On both counts you are completely wrong. Have you seen the traffic on morning and afrternoon rush hour? And proper parking places will be better than where they all park at the moment, cars using the pub nearly knocking over pedestrians. Do you live opposite the pub and have to put up with all the noise and trouble - NO YOU DON'T !!

Do you really still live locally? Twice last week traffic was backed up nearly to Salcombe Road.

And the shops are too expensive for many old folk - who are forced to walk to Broadwalk just because it is cheaper - not better. Tesco bringing affordable quality shopping is a godsend.

And your petition further goes on about the pub garden - some rockery with a few benches rarely used with some open green space that is NEVER USED except for the annual bonfire the previous landlady used to do.

And I elect to stay anonymous because I don't want to be intimidated by bully boy tactics like yours.

Read the majority of responses on here - they side with me !!”

“Thanks Glen - i'll be writing in support of the proposal so thanks for the information”

“For information: Tesco dont need planning consent to set up in The Friendship. Any campaign opposing them setting up in The Friendship is broader than their current planning application.

Tesco dont have to apply to set up a store but have applied for planning permission to build a 12 car plus 1 disabled space car park on the pub garden, with access gained by removing part of the wall on Axbridge Rd/Redcatch Rd. This will have a visual impact, meaning loss of amenity. It will also impact on road safety on an already busy road, with cars turning in and out where they currently dont. I urge local people to write to the council, via case officer Jo Edwards, opposing this application quoting ref number 08/04903/F. Two notices will shortly be put up in the local area and people have 21 days to respond once the notices are on display.”

“The anonymous 'A Concerned Resident ' has very little evidence to back the assertion that the 'vast majority' want a Tesco, having spoken to just ten neighbours!! Due to them being anonymous we dont even know for sure if this person is from Knowle, though they obviously know of me and my brothers!

The paper petition, available to locals in Knowle's shops, opposing Tesco's plans, on the other hand has rapidly gained hundreds of signatures very quickly. The online petition, only recently launched, already has 24 signatures. Hundreds opposed, ten for - I'd say this is very good evidence that local people oppose the Tesco plan.

Has A Concerned Resident not spoken to the local shopkeepers organising the paper peition ??

I have to say that it sounds like the anonymous 'A Concerned Resident' is as interested in ranting at me and their stereotype of greens as anything else - along with a few other people commenting here. Political activity like mine will stir up such comments. I still live in Knowle, where I've lived for over 40 yrs. I'm an occasional user of The Friendship and fully aware of the local situation and its problems. The best way to sort The Friendship is not to turn it into yet another Tesco however. More effort to keep a properly managed pub should be made. Even turning the building into flats is better than the letting a bully supermarket onto the site.”

“There was a petition against the Tesco Express at Warmley opening, however, it's always extremely busy and the local residents now seem to love it!”

“Here in Inverness 3 out of the 4 supermarkets here are now Tesco! Plus their little Express stores all over. We travel quite a way now when we don't want own brand, or are looking for something not on their "system"
I guess in a bigger city you have alternatives?
We're grateful now for that which they do do for us.
My condolences however to the nearby businesses - We've been left with a row of empty shops that frankly aren't nice to be near day or night to honest!”