Tesco want to open a new store on Stokes Croft. We don’t want them to.
Take action
Tesco needs permission to change the shop front before they can open. This is normally a formality, but given Stokes Croft and Montpelier’s unique character, the Council will have to take special consideration of the impact of a Tesco shop front on local business and heritage.
Tesco also still needs to secure a license to sell alcohol. Stokes Croft is an area with serious street drinking problems and local traders have agreed not to sell cheap, strong cider to help ease the problem – cheap Tesco alcohol would exacerbate existing problems.
You have until 21 September to oppose Tesco
In March over 2500 people wrote to the council objecting to the Tesco shopfront application. In response, the Council will make their decision at a public meeting 22 September at the Council House, on College Green. This will be a great opportunity to say what you think of Tesco!
Go to the Take Action page to register your objection to Tesco.
We have a template response to make it quick and easy.
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UPDATES
1 July – COUNCIL SNUBBED BY DEFIANT TESCO
The Council asked Tesco to carry out an independent consultation. Tesco have refused saying that even if the majority of people don’t want a Tesco on their high street they will open anyway because Tesco believe in the long run it will make them a profit.
30 June – FILM: HEAR WHAT LOCAL SHOPKEEPERS HAVE TO SAY
15 June – TESCO STALL ON INDEPENDENT CONSULTATION
Three weeks after Tesco said they would make a decision on whether to bother with an independent consultation we still haven’t heard anything. Meanwhile the Council tell us the shop front application is imminent – they’ve been telling us that since February.
11 June – GLASTONBURY SHOW TESCO CAN BE STOPPED
Planning permission for a big Tesco store in Glastonbury has been refused after sustained local campaign.
8 June – TESCO BOSS RETIRES
As the endorsements from big business and fornicating politicians rolled in there was a background of disquiet. Is Terry Leahy the face of a phenomenon that has diminished the quality of life of everyone in Britain? Big debate in the comments and Stokes Croft gets a mention.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/wordofmouth/2010/jun/10/tesco-terry-leahy-supermarkets
Interesting comments from Visionofjohanna and Sobersides – here are a couple of snippets:
Visionofjohanna
I live on around £10,000 a year (in London ). I’m not starving to death, but I am poor. I buy everything from Tesco. It’s cheap. But it’s no cheaper (and I have worked this out) than the combined bill when I used to buy at my local butchers and grocers. I can’t do that anymore because I have a full time job now and they’re closed by the time I get back.
The stuff at my grocers and butchers was nicer. The sausages didn’t shrink when they were cooked, the bacon was thicker, the apples were bigger, the carrots were sweeter. The tomatoes hadn’t been chilled for days and days before I took them home, so they didn’t go all mushy inside. It was a lot easier to eat healthily (when I was on the dole!) because I actually enjoyed eating fruit and veg.
Tesco might be cheap, but it’s a lie that it’s a cheaper than the alternative. Saving money helps, but if you’ve destroyed a community… well what’s the use in having cheap groceries if you’re living in a soulless, heartless community?
Sobersides
Tesco might be ok for dry goods but on fruit and veg they’re b>expensive. I do most of my fruit and veg shopping at Brixton market where things are a fraction of the price…If you ask me, the great harm is that Tesco encourages customers to stop thinking for themselves.
Our price comparison shows the same is true in Bristol.
7 June – TORY THINK TANK SAYS SUPERMARKETS HELP THE POOR TO FEEL BETTER ABOUT THEMSELVES
Max Wind-Cowie explains how “brand deserts” contribute to poverty.
And the response in support of local enterprise.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/jun/08/supermarkets-local-enterprises
24 May – TESCO MEET WITH BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL
A few people from the local area went along to a meeting between Bristol City Council and Tesco. The leader of the Council, Barbara Janke, and our MP, Stephen Williams, asked Tesco two things:
- to carry out an independent consultation
- to commit to leaving Stokes Croft if that is what the consultation shows the community wants
Tesco said they would consider doing a consultation but Tesco will open the shop anyway even if it is clear the majority of local people don’t want it. In the mean time Tesco said they will proceed with the development as if it was going ahead.
Tesco will announce on Wednesday what they intend to do about consulting.
22 May – PRICE COMPARISON SHOWS TESCO EXPRESS IS MORE EXPENSIVE THAN LOCAL SHOPS
A recent price comparison showed the Tesco Express on Gloucester Road was consistently more expensive than the local shops. Posters showing how much more Tesco charge went down well at the Stokes Croft Fair. You can download ‘COSTS more than you think‘ posters here and stick them up in your window.
17 May – TESCO OFFER TO MEET THE COUNCIL BUT RESIST PROPER CONSULTATION WITH PEOPLE IN THE AREA
Tecso have loads of nice words on their website about how they engage with communities. A few weeks back the Council asked Tesco to live up to their rhetoric and properly consult people from the local area on whether or not Tesco would be good for Stokes Croft.
Tesco have arranged to meet the Council but have made it clear they are still unwillingly to meet with people from across the community. Luckily the Council have invited some of us along.
Here are the letters people sent to the Council and to Tesco to try to get a more constructive public meeting. _______________________________________________
Dear Barbara Janke amd Stephen Williams,
We’re very much looking forward to meeting with yourselves and Tesco on 24 May – many thanks for inviting us. Recent discussions have however brought to light some concerns about the parameters of the meeting. We thought it important to share these with you and be clear about what we feel the community needs from this meeting. I hope you understand why we feel it necessary to raise this – and that we are not trying to be difficult but rather to ensure that the process is fair and transparent for the community and that the meeting is constructive. To this end we would like to suggest the following:
This meeting with Tesco must provide the opportunity for a range of community representatives to express their concerns to Tesco. Tesco insist they have spoken to local people and that they had an ‘overwhelmingly positive welcome’ when they visited the area. Stokes Croft is renowned for its active community and myriad local groups – none of whom have been contacted by Tesco. What’s more, Tesco have refused to substantiate who they have actually spoken to. The campaign’s surveys and events suggest the majority are opposed. To constitute meaningful community engagement we feel this meeting must involve a range of representatives from the local community at a publicly documented meeting.
The meeting should be an opportunity to highlight that alternatives are not only viable but preferable. However Tesco should not be the judge of whether an alternative is better for the community. It seems inappropriate for a competing business to judge whether or not an alternative proposal is viable. This should be for the community to decide and goes to the heart of this campaign and why thousands of people have asked to be properly consulted. Any meeting with Tesco should be about why alternative business models would be better for the community and the local economy. Plans for viable alternatives are looking increasingly exciting for Stokes Croft and we would definitely love the opportunity to discuss these with yourselves – but do not feel it is appropriate to discuss the details of them with Tesco.
Tesco needs to send someone with the power to release the lease for the premises – not their Corporate Affairs representative whose role is public relations. So far all contact with Tesco has been with Micheal Kissman, a Corporate Affairs representative. This speaks volumes about the motivation behind this engagement. It is essential therefore that a business director or equivalent with the necessary decision-making power attends the meeting.
If Tesco are seriously considering listening to the community all further planning applications need to be put on hold until after this meeting. Until this meeting on 24 May it seems disingenuous of Tesco to continue as if the development is going ahead. However, council planning officials tell us Tesco plan to submit their shop front application this week.
I do hope you understand our need to make these requests. Whilst it is tempting to agree to Tesco’s terms and conditions in a desperate attempt to persuade them to play game, it feels imperative that we challenge this imbalance in power and ensure the process does justice to the community’s impressive and tireless efforts to ensure a positive future for their area.
Very best wishes and I look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Claire Milne
On behalf of ‘No Tesco in Stokes Croft’ campaign
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26 April – BRISTOL CITY COUNCIL AND STEPHEN WILLIAMS ASK TESCO TO LISTEN TO THE COMMUNITY
The letter sent to Tesco says “we would like Stokes Croft to become a distinctive destination in Bristol and do not believe another chain store will help achieve this aim.
“We would like to take you at your word and seek assurances from you that you will consider backing down over your plans and allowing the site to be used by a community-owned alternative.”
The letter was accompanied by a message from coomunity groups in Stokes Croft asking Tesco to stop taking over our towns and cities.
The full letter and press coverage is on the media page.
A horde of angel voiced singers congregated outside the Old Jesters, where Tesco are trying to set up shop, to serenade the security guards.
23 April – MORE UNDERHAND TACTICS FROM TESCO plus LABOUR, GREEN and LIB DEMS say YES – but NO TORY SUPPORT
At the Bristol West parliamentary candidates debate on sustainability the candidates were asked if they would support the council taking back Tesco’s planning permission.
Paul Smith, for Labour, Ricky Knight, for the Green Party and Stephen Williams for Liberal Democrats, all said YES.
Tory candidate, Nick Yarker, said he would not support the council standing up to Tesco.
The labour candidate, Paul Smith, said “there’s something sinister about Tesco” after Tesco contacted Paul before the debate with an offer of help if Paul came out in support of the Tesco in Stokes Croft. Paul declined.
14 April - HEAD OF COUNCIL AND MP CALL FOR ALTERNATIVES
The campaign held a public meeting in Stokes Croft where Stephen Williams, our local MP, and Barbara Janke, head of Bristol City Council called on people to come up with alternatives to Tesco:
“We support your campaign for Stokes Croft to become a distinctive destination in Bristol. Yet another chain store doesn’t help achieve this aim. The planning process needs reform so local people can shape their communities. Supermarkets also need to be regulated. But we can’t just have a campaign against Tesco at this site. We need a viable alternative proposition. That is why we are tonight calling on local residents and businesses, social enterprises, architects and anyone else with an alternative vision for this site to come forward. We hope this competition will spark local imagination but also attract national interest. We want to work with the community to continue the transformation of Stokes Croft.”
The public meeting generated lots of ideas for what these alternatives might be and how we make them happen. Lawyers and policy experts turned up in droves to offer support on wading through the technical stuff. And there were lots of ideas for highlighting the impact supermarkets have on local areas and creative ways to protest against Tesco.
Keep an eye on the take action page over the next few weeks.
April 2010
Word from the council is that Tesco haven’t put in an application to alter the shop front yet. It looks like they are delaying now the application will be looked at by the Committee. They might not meet until May or June. This gives us loads of time to rally support.
March 2010
Opportunity to stop Tesco from opening on Cheltenham Road.
Representatives from the No Tesco in Stokes Croft campaign met with Bristol City Council (BCC) to discuss the proposed Tesco on Cheltenham Road. The main outcomes of the meeting were:
- Tesco are due to apply for final planning permission w/c 23 March to install the Tesco shop front
- Main issue is the impact the shop front will have on local heritage.
- BCC have been meeting with Tesco to help tailor their architectural plans to be accepted through this final planning process
- Thanks to the strength of your campaigning the decision will be made by a Committee at a public meeting in May /June rather than by a case officer behind closed doors.
- The Committee is only allowed to take into consideration issues regarding the impact of a Tesco shop front on local heritage.
Current planning law is failing local communities
- Planning law says BCC is not allowed to discriminate bewteen the impacts of an independent retailer and that of a supermarket.
- This means BCC did not consult the local community on whether they want a supermarket
- We pointed out that current planning law is therefore preventing BCC from delivering on its overarching objective of meeting the needs of local communities.
- Efforts continue at the local and national level to lobby for planning policy change but so far the corporate lobby has managed to ensure planning law continues to serve the needs of big business rather than that of local communities.
96% of 500 surveyed believe we don’t need another supermarket
BCC sent letters to 55 local residents back in October asking them how they felt about a retail unit opening on Cheltenham road. They received absolutely no response. This may come as no surprise conidering we have been unable to find anyone who received the letter, despite visiting all the addresses the letters were sent to.
Our own door to door surveys however show that 96% of those 500 we surveyed believe Cheltenham Road does not need another supermarket.
What’s more, the Council have received some 2500 campaign postcards shining the spotlight on the community’s resounding ‘No’ to Tesco.
Media coverage goes international!
We have been overwhelmed by the level of media interest. I have just finished doing BBC 5 Live, the Daily Mail covered it amazingly favourably and the Russian, Hungarian and Polish press have all been in touch!
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Find out all the ways to get involved whether you’ve got oodles of time or a few spare minutes to write a stern e-mail to someone ‘important’.
Head here for more of the campaign story so far
I wrote to Jon Rogers, local Councillor, asking what he would be doing. He replied:
“[as] Executive Member for Transport and Sustainability …the work of the Planning Department is part of myportfolio.
He says he saw the application “but did not think of it as a concern…The decison to allow a change of use seems legitimate. I see no legal grounds to challenge it”.
So yet again local views are ignored on planning decisions. First it was the Dovercourt development, then the decision by officers and Lib Dem councillors to spend most of the S106 Dovercourt money on roadworks on Stokes Croft and not Montpelier Park, and now this.
Not good enough! The Council – officers and councillors – need to listen and respond to local views.
By: Trevor on February 11, 2010
at 10:09 pm
I have had the following email from a resident, “As an ardent supporter of yours I’m hoping this ‘washing hands of it’ is a misrepresentation of your position?“.
YES, it is a gross misrepresentation of my position!
The anonymous and mischievious “Trevor” is very selective in his quote.
He fails to make clear that no-one, not local residents, not local community groups nor indeed council planning officers could have been aware that the request by Jesters Comedy Club to change use from “stand up comedy/performance venue (Use Class D2) to shop (Use Class A1) on the 26th November 2009 (BCC ref 09/03838/F)” would apparently lead to Tesco taking over the lease.
I commented in more detail on the PRSC web site a couple of days ago – http://bit.ly/aUqlMU
You may also be interested in my replies on a series of questions from that website:
“(1) Who has given Tesco permission to put hoardings and barriers on the public footpath?”
I understand that a hoarding licence was issued by the council on 4th February 2010.
“(2) What conditions have been placed upon vehicle access to the store when operating, indeed has this been approved?”
There is an existing Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) in place on Cheltenham Road which prevents loading and deliveries between 7 am and 10am and 4pm and 6.30pm Mondays to Fridays. Planning conditions also control the hours of servicing and refuse collection. The details are in the delegated officer report on the planning web site.
“(3) Has Tesco applied for a drinks licence? (I realise this won’t be to planning committee)?”
I understand that Tesco is yet to apply to BCC for a premises licence to sell alcohol.
“(4) What other permissions are required for the store to operate?”
I understand that Tesco are required to obtain planning permission for alterations to the shopfront and advertisement consent for any advertisements (applications are expected in the next week and will be subject to public consultation.)
Thanks to the various officers for their speedy replies.
Let me know if you have further questions or if I can help in other ways.
Jon
By: Jon Rogers on February 12, 2010
at 10:12 am
You can use http://www.writetothem.com/ to contact your MP (Stephen Williams in this case) and let them know how you feel about the development and to urge them to oppose it.
By: danb on February 12, 2010
at 3:22 pm
Jon Rogers resorts to personal abuse but does not deny the accuracy when I quote from his reply, or raise the Dovercourt approval or how its S106 money was spent.
If anyone wants a copy of Jon’s full reply to me about the Tesco application, by all means write to me at trevorcheeseman@hotmail.co.uk
And for the record Jon – I have lived in Montpelier for 15 years…
By: Trevor on February 16, 2010
at 9:41 pm
Please clarify, ‘Jon Rogers resorts to personal abuse’?
Really? I think his response was very fair and very useful to the debate. He merely said that your paraphrasing of his email to you was ‘mischievous’. This is not ‘personal abuse’.
I am grateful to see Mr Rogers taking part in the debate when he could so easily keep his head below the parapet.
By: Seamon on March 3, 2010
at 12:27 pm
Trevor
You quote only part of my reply, and your name “Trevor Cheeseman” does not appear on the electoral register for Ashley ward, so I stand by my “anonymous and mischievous ” (though spelt correctly this time).
I directed readers to a fuller answer on the PRSC site at http://bit.ly/aUqlMU which is the full reply that you selectively quoted.
If you have lived in Montpelier for 15 years as Trevor Cheeseman, then I will be happy to publicly apologise.
Jon
By: Jon Rogers on February 17, 2010
at 7:55 am
I find Jon Rogers comments patronising.
There is a lot of anger about this, as Saturday’s demo shows.
Given the size of the former Jester’s, surely it should be obvious to Council planners that a big name chain was a possible occupant.
By: Lucy Watson on February 17, 2010
at 7:35 pm
I am trying to respond to comments openly and honestly. There is no intention to be patronising, and I understand the anger.
However, I also seek to explain that under planning law, the identity of the retailer is not a material consideration.
There are legitimate questions about whether people were informed and had an opportunity to respond to the application, but people who are used to seeing applications, including myself, did not think twice about an application by Jesters Comedy Club to change the use of it’s old comedy club into a shop.
There are a number of people with a passionate interest in Stokes Croft, but they did not raise any questions when the planning application was published in October 2009. The application was published on the internet, along with 100s of others, and many of us get very regular emails about such applications in our area.
By: Jon Rogers on February 17, 2010
at 9:21 pm
If for no other reason than the only one they understand – money – the council should oppose this.
Monopolies are incredibly damaging not only to consumer choice but also the wider economy.
Studies clearly show that a diverse economy is a healthy one and with a Tescos at the bus garage and one on Gloucester road there is clearly need to regulate how many can operate within a certain area. Councilors with the balls to stand up to them ? As pointed out above, all local objections to the scale of Dovercourt were completely over ridden, so I very much doubt it.
By: Tom Statter on February 20, 2010
at 12:23 pm
hooray for North Norfolk District Council
there is sense somewhere on this sceptred isle !
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/tesco-thwarted-over-norfolk-supermarket-1916272.html
It is vital that the Government and local authorities bring in new policies to support independent shops and local economies to give communities a genuine choice about where to shop and how to live their lives,
By: Kevin on March 4, 2010
at 9:34 pm
photographs
http://www.sidzphotography.co.uk/notescoinstokescroftdemo/index.html
By: Kevin on March 6, 2010
at 12:15 am
AMAZING Kevin! Thanks for this ray of hope!
I particularly like:
“councillors in Sheringham had opposed the store on Cromer Road on the grounds that it would harm the look and tradition of the town, increase traffic jams and hurt local independent traders.”
A similar ruling in Stokes Croft would be most welcome!
Apparently the dispute went on for over 10 years… Well we’re prepared to be in it for the long-haul too!
By: lazypantha on March 12, 2010
at 10:30 am
Very few members of the public look at planning applications, it is a failure of local representatives not to communicate this to the public.
Unfortunately even when people are consulted, they are frequently ignored.
http://bristol.indymedia.org/article/689607
By: Nick Foster on March 19, 2010
at 7:56 pm
Nick, take it you prefer a load of drafted-in green activists/squaters from London to spruce up the neighbourhood over a useful supermarket? Minority view mate.
By: Dave on March 21, 2010
at 10:17 pm
I’m currently doing an undergraduate dissertation on how to encourage consumers to buy more ethical and sustainable food and my results (from a sample of South Oxfordshire consumers) evidence that consumers do want to support local, independent retailers, they do want fresh healthy, non-imported food (for items that can be grown locally or nationally), they enjoy the social interaction and customer service of a local store and they are concerned about local farmers and the UK’s reliance on imported food, whilst local orchards and local farms are struggling to stay in business. British towns have lost their local butchers, fishmongers, greengrocers and my study sample want to see that change for both the health of their famillies and the environment. I’m in full support of your campaign, keep up the good work.
By: Jessica Stanton on March 24, 2010
at 7:39 am
Jessica, your middle class student dissertation is deeply flawed. The reason Tesco, and many other supermarket chains, have been so successful is that they can provide the food CHEAPER than a local organic shop selling apples sourced at a local orchard or meat sourced from a local farm. It’s all very well if you have the money, but if you have a family of five to feed on Tyneside (for example) in a recession where do you think you’d be most likely to go for your groceries? I also don’t think that all butchers, fishmongers and greengrocers instantly go up against the wall the minute a small supermarket arrives in the neighbourhood, if anything it encourages them to raise their game for the local people who are willing to spend money on, for example, locally sourced meat. This is called Market Dynamics.
I think you obviously don’t live around here because the ‘campaign’ in the form of the squat has been cleared. If you lived around here you’d have found they were a noise nuisance and danger to passing people and traffic, I didn’t see them as ‘keeping up the good work’ to be honest. They were just renta-mob shipped in from London apparently by Greens and anti-capitalists. Also, for the record, the current choice of food stores here are rank. One in particular sells what looks like gone-off produce and allows their cat to walk around in the store. New housing in the vicinity warrants a food store to cope, and it stops people getting in cars to drive out to superstores. Infrastructure, basically.
I was a student once Jessica, it’s great to be a idealist buy when you graduate you’ll be bought to earth with a jolt. As I’ve said before, if you were living here and pregnant in a few years time, you’d LOVE the Tesco. Honest.
By: Dave on March 24, 2010
at 9:45 pm
Its my 1st time on this site and having read through the comments a number of points occur to me which I would like to share.
Firstly, and particularly in response to Dave, the proposed store is a Tesco Express ‘convenience’ style outlet and not a conventional pile-it-high-&-sell-it-cheap supermarket. Tesco Express stores are not cheaper than independent shops and are frequently excluded from national special offer camaigns. Indeed I have recently found that Tesco in Marlborough St is selling milk at up to 9p a pint MORE than Abduls by Turbo Island. Abdul also sources his milk from Chew Valley Dairies about 6 miles from Bristol.
Regarding the various postings about Council consultation processes I can only contrast the de minimis approach adopted by the Council over this issue with the high level of community involvement and consultation for the development of the corner of City Rd/Stokes Croft.
A personal concern of mine which I have not seen addressed anywhere is where exactly Tesco intend to park their servicing/delivery vehicles; knowing the area well I can’t see Picton St, Picton Lane or Bath Buildings being suitable for large goods vehicles which leaves Cheltenham Rd at which point traffic congestion is already problematic. I can imagine lorries blocking the exit from the bus/cycle lane.
I also wonder whether the area needs another outlet for alcoholic off-sales given the abundance of licensed establishments around here as well as the (sometimes theoretical) existence of a ‘No Street Drinking Zone’ less than 100m from the proposed store.
Apologies for the length of this posting.
Andy
By: Andy on March 25, 2010
at 9:45 am
Andy, I can guarantee you that given a choice of Abduls by Turbo Island and a new Tesco, I think I know where the vast majority of people will shop for food. Also, the 9p will mean nothing to them on a pint of milk.
In terms of deliveries the new Tesco will be no different to lots of other supermarkets all over the country. I should imagine deliveries will be made at off-peak traffic times.
If you’re that worried about congestion, take relief that all the people in the huge new flats on the corner of Bath buildings won’t be climbing in to their cars when they need some provisions.
You’d be up in arms about that if it wasn’t for the proposed Tesco, which I think you’ll find the silent majority of residents (as opposed to shipped in green activists from London) actually WANT here.
By: Dave on March 25, 2010
at 11:09 pm
Thank you Dave for your contribution. I get the impression that you perceive me as part of a ‘rent-a-mob’ that has a knee-jerk reaction to the word Tesco. Please be reassured that this is not the case; I am not a student, have never lived in London but do find that bringing up a young family causes me to take a serious view about the price of milk.
Regarding congestion I will own up to a certain amount of bias as my job as a bus driver brings me into daily conflict with lorries from Tesco, Marks & Spencer, Red Flower Barrow et al…
and all the people say is “You’re late drive”, “Where’ve you been drive”. Bus lanes are for buses not for delivery lorries.
Abduls milk is fresher than that obtainable from Tesco in Marlborough St and I know where it comes from.
By: Andy on March 26, 2010
at 12:33 am
Take it you’re familiar with Loading Bays?
By: Dave on March 29, 2010
at 3:24 pm
I am very familiar with loading bays; I am also very familiar with Cheltenham Rd, Picton St & Picton Lane, indeed yesterday morning I watched with some bemusement a scaffolding lorry trying and failing to negotiate a manouevre from Picton St into Picton Lane. Loading bays are not really an issue when the physical constraints of the local road infrastructure are manifestly unsuited to use by large goods vehicles.
By: Andy on March 31, 2010
at 12:18 am
Further consideration causes me to wonder how a loading bay for vehicles 2.66m wide can be installed in a pavement that is 1.2m wide. Perhaps the large hadron collider will enable us all to suspend the laws of classical dimensional physics.
By: Andy on March 31, 2010
at 12:30 am
Are you really a bus driver, Andy? mmmm……..
By: Dave on March 31, 2010
at 1:57 pm