Source
lukemerrett•

Walk past the protest each day, they're really sticking to their guns, n seeing 2 enthusiastic guys holding up "Honk for no tesco" sign's and actually getting a good number of beeps is inspirational!

I agree Stokes Croft needs to be kept independent, however Gloucester Road in general between Maplins and the Robin Hood is a fiercely independent area, yet it boasts 3 supermarket chains and is still thriving. The most popular shop at lunch isn't tescos, its The Breadstore (Queues out the door most days)

9
jt151•

Walk past the protest each day, they're really sticking to their guns, n seeing 2 enthusiastic guys holding up "Honk for no tesco" sign's and actually getting a good number of beeps is inspirational!

Ah so that's what the signs said, when I passed them on my motorcycle the other day I gave the guy a thumbs up and he gave me a slightly puzzled expression.

I think that if the independent stores are as awesome as the residents claim them to be , and people carry on supporting them, then tesco's could exist in stokes croft without destroying the area.

1
evilweedOP•

Just wondering where you all stand?

I have to say I don't entirely understand the reason for the protest. I'm fully behind the right to stand up and protest, just don't really get this one.

6
34Mbit•

Why don't all the protestors group together and start a co-op? I'd put money towards it.

5
tea-man•

Stokes Croft has been a haven for the alternative side of Bristol, with a view to attract more independent shops and bars. With a Tesco store opening, many would see a major threat to the uniqueness that the area has been trying to offer and an attempt to turn the area into just another commercial district.
The problem is, a lot of the area has been rather run down for many years now, and like the article says, it is only a big business that could afford the rates, and the initial cost of renovation. This is the view that the council has taken while it has been ignoring the protests from the thousands of local residents and business owners regarding the planning permission.
While I believe a campaign to raise awareness of the local community and to help to boycott the new Tesco would be beneficial, any 'direct action' would just imply that the area needs even more 'renovation.'

Let's see how long it takes before the shop front is covered in graffiti though!

3
evilweedOP•

Yep - direct action would be playing to the tabloid style hacks. More negative press.

I'm interested to see how a protracted peaceful protest will go though. Tesco are probably figuring that they can out last the protest and before long no one will remember it. The most effective thing though is to not use it - Tesco like any business will not be afraid to cut and run if the store doesn't make any profit and all that extra security must be costing a fortune.

2
Sproner•

Graffiti?!

I'm waiting for the petrol bomb!!

1
Sproner•

Guess I can stop waiting now

1
evilweedOP•

What the fuck? The dates line up and everything!

1
willd58•

Free market at work I guess, will separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to the independents, that is our modern state of capitalism at work, like it or not.

I don't live there nor do I have much experience of living there so can't really comment on whether or not it is a good or bad thing.

3
widgetasWill Grow Beard For Food•

I posted this as a new link about 8 hours ago, but it's not showing up on the "new" submissions for some reason. No matter, I post it here instead:

Future of Tesco to be "discussed"... Dun dun duuun

I'm in two minds on this one. On the one hand it'd be funky for a large company to leave an area alone for once, given that there are a number of people there who are quite vocal in their not wanting it around (even though there are other large stores nearby). But on the other I'm not a fan of violence and the idea that such a protest can be used to make a point is not a good one, imo.

Thoughts?

1