Split over Tesco plan for Bristol City stadium

Shopkeepers and traders in Bedminster say they are against plans for a new supermarket at Ashton Gate to fund a new stadium for Bristol City.

But the majority of shoppers spoken to by the Post yesterday said they didn't mind another store and would shop there.

The Bristol Evening Post carried out a random poll in North Street – the bustling shopping street near Bristol City's existing ground.

Shopkeepers fear that another supermarket would kill off trade – just as the street was starting to thrive.

One of them, Julia Robinson, a joint director at Health Unlimited, said: "Keeping this community alive is difficult enough without another supermarket in the area.

"This street will die if they allow Tesco to use the football ground.

"The shops down here help to create a very important community spirit in the area.

"It would be absolutely outrageous if that was lost.

"We would end up like Park Street – just a string of charity shops, cafes and bars."

But the majority of shoppers said they did not have a problem with another supermarket and would use it.

"I don't have a problem with it, said Glyn Thomas, 57, a building lagger of North Street. "It can be a nightmare for parking near the ground."

Pensioner Mina Saunders, 73, of Fairfield Place, said: "It makes sense to me. It will be less far for old people to walk who live down that way."

Tesco has confirmed that it is interested in building a new store on the site of the club's existing ground.

It would provide the key link in funding a new 30,000-seat stadium at nearby Ashton Vale.

But the council understands some council officers and politicians are against the plan because of the effect that another supermarket would have on local shops and traders.

In yesterday's Post, club chairman Steve Lansdown urged the council not to drag its heels over his plans for a new stadium.

He said the city had a reputation for failing on major projects and warned that he was not prepared to "sit around for years and years" if the plans dragged on.

Tesco says the £80-million stadium plans were a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Bristol and the South West".

The supermarket giant said the stadium and new store would create 1,000 jobs between them.

It was originally expected that the City ground would be sold for housing but the recession has meant that the amount of money generated by a homes scheme would not be enough to help fund a new stadium.

Former Lord Mayor Peter Abraham has also warned the city council not to drag its heels on the issue.

A new stadium would raise the prospect of World Cup games in the city if the Football Association wins its bid to host the tournament in 2018.

One of the major objectors to a new store could be Sainsbury's, which has a supermarket in nearby Winterstoke Road.

The chain was initially refused permission to use the former UBM site but won the day after a public inquiry.