Source: Bristol Evening Post
Page 2
Thursday 22nd June 2006

WE DON'T WANT YOUR SUPERMARKET HERE
by Hugo Berger

Opponents of a new supermarket in Bishopston could call for shoppers to boycott existing shops run by chains like Tesco and Sainsbury.They say the move could convince planning officers that there is no need for the proposed supermarket between Ashley Down Road and Gloucester Road.

Last night about 80 people packed into a small art studio in Derby Road, bishopston, to here about the campaign to stop the new store being built.

Surrey based developers Storegap Commercial have bought the site next to an existing supermarket and are expected to submit a planning application to build a 20,000 sq ft store with parking spaces for 180 cars. At the meeting, urging shoppers not not to shop in other supermarkets on Gloucester Road was one of the many ideas put forward to halt the development.

Resident Steve Poll said: "If people don't shop in the new Tesco Metro or the Sainsbury's Local then the planners may realise that there is no need for another one round here."

Residents and shopkeepers have formed an action group call Bishopston Opposing Glut OF supermarkets (BOGOFS). The campaigners argued that there were too many supermarkets in the area and another one would lead to many small shops going under. A website: www.bogofs.org - has had 8,000 hits and a petition by newsagents Gurmit and Baldev Kaila has attracted more than 700 signatures.

Organiser Zena Hendy said: "BOGOFS aims to actively preserve the unique and independent nature of commerce on and around Gloucester Road, and oppose any development which endangers both this and the local environment."

Another organiser, Brian Nash, said: "A new supermarket will mean very uneven competition and I am sure it will lead to closures. The supermarkets says it will create jobs, but this will be offset by the unemployment caused by the shop closures.

"There are also environmental issues such as traffic congestion and the fact it will very very close to a school."

Gurmit Kaila said: "This is a very bad idea to build a supermarket here. I think it will have a very bad effect on traders in Ashley Down Road and we will fight against any supermarket in Gloucester Road."

There are already two Tesco stores on Gloucester Road, two Somerfield stores and a Sainsbury's Local on Gloucester Road, as well as several other such as Henleaze, Golden Hill and Eastville.

Recently Storegap managing director Tony Cook insisted there was public support for a new supermarket because it would bring shoppers into Gloucester Road.

BOGOFS Reaction:

"Regarding the very welcome coverage of our recent meeting in the Bristol Evening Post (22/06/2006), we have a clarification to make.

"The possibility of urging shoppers not to shop in the "other supermarkets on Gloucester Road" was indeed put forward at the meeting, as were many other ideas. However, this was not suggested by any of the founders of BOGOFS. It was one of the many comments at a lively and interesting public meeting.

"For the record: BOGOFS do not endorse this as a plan of action, nor in the future. One of the principle reasons for holding a meeting such as this is to hear views of as many people as possible and we intend to continue to do so."