Traders and shoppers back new Bristol Sainsbury's at Ashton Gate

Bristol traders and residents are in favour of plans for Sainsbury's to replace its Winterstoke Road shop with a new larger supermarket at Ashton Gate.

They have reacted positively to news that co.uk/bristolcity/news">Bristol City FC are believed to have struck a deal to sell their ground to Sainsbury's rather than to rival Tesco, which had hoped to build a new supermarket on the stadium site.

Under the plans, it is understood co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sainsbury's would sell their Winterstoke Road store for housing and build a bigger supermarket at co.uk/bristol07/Bristol%20City%20Map/bristolcity.html">Ashton Gate.

People in North Street said they were behind the fresh plans because they halt the prospect of a third big supermarket being built in the area and independent traders' livelihoods being threatened.

Ken Butcher, of Bob Wherlock butchers in North Street, said his customers had been praising the new plans since they were revealed in the co.uk">Evening Post at the weekend.

He said: "We wouldn't lose out too much and it makes more sense, provided co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sainsbury's used its old site for housing."

Mike Rudge, owner of Ashton Fruit Shop in North Street, said: "We would prefer co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sainsbury's to open because it's a shop that's already in the area.

"They won't be trying to take a new slice of the cake and they seem to have gone about it the right way by offering something in return, by selling their old store for housing."

North Street shopper Bev Wood, 56, who lives in Baltic Wharf, said: "If co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sainsbury's opens at co.uk/bristol07/Bristol%20City%20Map/bristolcity.html">Ashton Gate, all the shops in North Street will survive because they are used to having a Sainsbury's nearby.

"A Tesco supermarket would destroy businesses because it would increase competition and offer a greater range of products."

Chris Ryan, 63, who lives in the Chessels in co.uk" target="_blank">Bedminster, shops Sainsbury's but also uses shops in North Street.

She said: "If co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sainsbury's took over the co.uk/bristol07/Bristol%20City%20Map/bristolcity.html">Ashton Gate site I can't see it making much of a difference because they already have a shop there."

The co.uk">Evening Post understands the deal with co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.sainsburys.co.uk="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sainsbury's would pave the way for the club to build a new £65-million stadium at nearby Ashton Vale.

If councillors grant planning permission for the new stadium at a council meeting in two weeks' time, a planning application for the Sainsbury's store at co.uk/bristol07/Bristol%20City%20Map/bristolcity.html">Ashton Gate would then follow and would be decided in the spring.

If the stadium plan goes ahead, then Bristol would be on target to be chosen as a host city for co.uk/worldcup">World Cup games if the FA wins its bid to stage the tournament in 2018.

Tesco's planning application will be considered at a council meeting on November 11 after originally being scheduled to be discussed on November 5.

co.uk/southville">Southville's Green Party councillor Charlie Bolton said, providing the new Sainsbury's store was not too big, the plan was a 'step in the right direction'. He said: "There are still lots of issues about traffic on Ashton Road and Winterstoke Road but potentially it (the Sainsbury's plan) could make a difference. It does make sense."

Mile Hendy, vice-chairman of Bristol City Supporters' Trust, said: "Retaining two supermarkets should overcome the objectors of Berate and the rumoured use of the current Sainsbury's store as housing should help the council address its housing shortage.

"As a City fan I understand that no food store means no new stadium so I hope this improves the chances of success for the planning application."

Chris Uttley of co.uk" target="_blank">Bedminster Residents Against Tesco Expansion (Berate) refused to comment because the co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.sainsburys.co.uk="" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">sainsburys.co.uk" rel="nofollow" target=_blank>Sainsbury's plans have not been confirmed.

He said members of the group would meet tonight to discuss the emergence of co.uk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sainsbury's as a possible buyer for the site.

A spokesman for co.uk/bristolcity/news">Bristol City FC said: "We cannot comment on speculation but we continue to work hard to secure permission for a food store on the co.uk/bristol07/Bristol%20City%20Map/bristolcity.html">Ashton Gate site so we can take the stadium plans forward."