Every little hurts: Anti-Tesco demonstration sweeps through Bristol

Every little hurts, was the message behind a street protest by Southville campaigners this weekend, to stop plans for a new Tesco store getting the go-ahead.

More than one hundred local residents left traffic at a crawl behind them, as they paraded North Street with banners and musical instruments.

The protest was organised by Bedminster Residents Against Tesco’s Expansion Into Ashton Gate (BERATE).

Tesco have submitted a planning application to turn the current site of Bristol City Football Club into a giant superstore.

The land will be sold to the company should the football club be successful with its own controversial planning application, to build a stadium on land bordering Ashton Vale.

Furious Ashton Vale residents are holding their own campaign to stop the stadium plans going ahead.

Southville resident taking part in the demonstration, Louisa Adams said: “There are plenty of large supermarkets in the local area already, including a Tesco. We simply don’t need another one and it would badly affect the independent nature of the Southville area, one of the reasons I chose to live here.

“I don’t want my little girl to grow up in a world monopolised by a few giant supermarkets. The new Tesco will take away our shopping choices in this area. I have boycotted Tesco since the proposal first came out and I will continue to do so.”

For Berate, Jenny Bell said: “We are delighted at the turnout and the community spirit and positivity behind the campaign.”

As well as families and children walking North Street, shops displayed closing down banners to highlight the impact the store will have on their businesses.

Protester Chris Uttely from Berate added: “We had a bigger turn out then we were expecting. We have had the support of all the shops as they are really concerned about the impact on their business. They all had banners in their windows.”

For more information about the campaign, visit: www.berate.co.uk