On March 16th 2010, the day of the “Stokes Croft Riots”, Stokes Croft Postmistress Bushra Randhawa and PRSC Chairman, Chris Chalkley delivered 2270 protest cards to Bristol City Council on behalf of the “No Tesco in Stokes Croft “ Campaign. The cards register the Community’s anger at the lack of consultation. Surveys of local people indicate that over 90% of locals do not want a Tesco in their midst. Stokes Croft seems determined to resist the ingress of corporate influence that damages the local culture that makes the area unique, warts ‘n’ all…
For more short films, visit the PRSC Youtube Channel.
Below: Bushra Randhawa and Katy Bauer With Cards close to the Seat of Power…
Bushra and her colleagues are an asset to the community, as well as being very nice people. Nevertheless, they are wrong about this. Compare Stokes Croft which is a wasteland, with the part of Gloucester Road featuring both a Tesco and a Somerfield, which is plainly thriving. Obviously, Tesco should be welcomed.
is it just me or does richard craven sound like a really closed minded old tory?
“Stokes Croft Riots” ?
Really?
You’re taking the piss, right?
Of course, a little tongue in cheek… That is how it was described in the Evening Post…
Chris
I agree with Richards comments above. Stokes croft desperately needs diversity rather than the dismal, desperado,, decay- the gaunlet of which I run daily. An intelligent tactic now would be to make peace and engage with tesco to see if a good working partnership can be developed. Tesco does have a community responsibility programme and would probably be willing to talk and help out with worthwhile local projects for kids etc.
I just don’t think being totally anti corporate is going to be the solution to sorting out stokes croft .
Well gladly it looks like thousands of local people disagree with you! Tesco adds nothing positive to the area, it will undermine the small businesses that cannot compete with its prices but will not provide a decent supermarket which, yes, some of the community would welcome. There is a better vision for Stokes Croft which is unique and could add to what’s already further up the road. Dont you think Stokes Croft is thriving? If not, you must be walking with your head down, cheer up and take in the vibrancy of the area. I look forward to the summer and a nice glass of red outside some of the new and interesting cafes that have popped up recently! Well done to everyone investing in Stokes Croft, its a pleasure to walk through it in my humble opinion.
Rob Rob Rob……if you truly find it too stressful to ‘run the gauntlet’ of Stokes Croft everyday (you brave soul you) kindly move…I hear Clifton has some lovely Tescos.
I like it! Well said!
My family has been residents of zetland road area for over 40 years – we certainly ain’t going to move to clifton – Stokes Croft needs diversity, that means – well diversity . . a whole range of things, remember it isn’t just a local street like picton street or st marks road or chandos road, its a thoroughfare for thousands everyday and right now its pretty dysfunctional and unappealing if you pass through it on your way to work every day – Stokes Croft and the St james Barton Underpass combined look like some bad set out of a rejected “life on Mars” episode – lets get a bit of pride back in the area. I’m all for local entrepreneurial spirit, I am a local entrepreneur, but i also respect a British business which is profitable which wants to invest in British high streets – dont forget asda,lidl, aldi are not british owned and sainsburys is highly controlled these days by the rather dodgy qatar investment authority – dodgy definately as I’ve met a couple of members of the ruling qatar al thani family and i wouldn’t trust them with a sainsburys sausage roll – so if we want british investement in our high streets, Tescos is not such a bad thing, they have good community investement programmes and if everyone in Stokes Croft would stop being such old style ararchic hippies the whole project might reap some serious benefits for all….. anyway watch this space – Tesco will happen so you might as well think about welcoming new neighbours in a traditional friendly bristolian way !!!
Rob,
What is ‘unappealing’ to you as you walk through Stokes Croft is sadly a reality for some people – homelessness and addiction. You can’t magic this away by building a Tesco in fact they will probably increase street drinking due to the availability of cheep booze but anyway I digress….My point is we need to build a stronger community that supports individuals and does not try and stick a bandage over real social issues.
A locally run food co-op is an example of what could happen here, just accepting that Tesco’s are coming to undermine the local business seems a bit defeatist to me….
I will gladly be called an ‘anarchic hippy’ if that means I have a social conscience. It’s important to look at the broader social context here – Tesco might mean cheaper food for you but at what cost to other people both locally and globally?
Look. Stokes Croft is a dump. Don’t give me all that “vibrant” stuff, the place is a disaster zone. Having said this, Tesco is definitely not the answer. The last thing we need is another faceless corporate shitestore. The area needs to become more like Gloucester Road with decent, independent businesses selling good local produce, rather than crappy convenience shops which make their money from selling White Ace in large quantities. Why not lobby the Council for rent/rates relief to allow new businesses to set up?
“Richard Craven permalink
Bushra and her colleagues are an asset to the community, as well as being very nice people. Nevertheless, they are wrong about this. Compare Stokes Croft which is a wasteland, with the part of Gloucester Road featuring both a Tesco and a Somerfield, which is plainly thriving. Obviously, Tesco should be welcomed.
Reply .March 21, 2010 badger permalink
is it just me or does richard craven sound like a really closed minded old tory?”
I don’t understand. I expressed my respectful disagreement with Bushra.
Firstly, why does that make me closed-minded? Secondly, why does that make me a Tory? Thirdly, why is it wrong to be a Tory? The new Tory government is currently instigating a Bill repealing New Labour’s authoriatarian legislation in respect of I.D. cards, DNA retention, CCTC cameras etc etc. Why aren’t you supporting this? Far from me sounding closed-minded, you sound a little fascistic.