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Original poster

Tesco? Riots? Squatters?... Just when you thought Bristol couldn't be any more interesting!

53 replies

Chil1234 · 22/04/2011 18:39

What on earth is going on in Bristol? Police injured? Armed raids? Understand that Tesco gets a few people hot under the collar but who goes to the lengths of occupying a squat just so they can foment devlish plans to place an unexpected item (like a petrol bomb) in the bagging area? Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
Chil1234 · 22/04/2011 18:39

Sorry.... link to story here.

OP posts:
M44 · 22/04/2011 19:55

Tesco was never wanted in that area-there have been 3 violent occasions now. I think there is more to this than has been reported.......the police were out in huge numbers for a 'simple' eviction at 5.30pm.....on a Friday before bank holidays, on the hottest day? (many drinking places around there) I do not condone for one moment the threat of petrol bombs or the behaviour of the crowds that gathered-indeed I have friends whose property was damaged and were left wondering what on earth was happening.
I do however get frustrated that Tesco refused to listen to the local area who never wanted a Tesco there......
It was a disturbed night for many-the helicpoter was up and flying around for many hours in the night-we are on the direct flight path to its base.
I just wonder too, if this is going to be a summer of discontent accross the country.
The road is still partly closed-so shops apart from Tesco have been affected today....is that really what we want? How is that going to help our local area thrive?

longfingernails · 22/04/2011 20:37

I don't particularly like Tescos, but they presumably went through all the proper planning procedures, and had their bid approved by local functionaries.

Squatters, however, are simply evil in my opinion. I am extremely glad that squatting will be made a criminal offence very soon. The sooner we can lock up some of these heinous and loathsome trespassers, the better.

LilyBolero · 22/04/2011 20:42

lfn, imo Bristol CC are not known for making good planning decisions. They are hated across the city, and do not represent what the people of Bristol want.

longfingernails · 22/04/2011 20:47

Well then hold them democratically accountable by kicking the offending councillors out at the next election.

If instead, the response is to threaten to start using petrol bombs - well, then that is planning murder at best, and terrorism at worst. The squatters deserve everything that is coming their way.

RitaMorgan · 22/04/2011 20:51

This wasn't really about the Tesco.

Police decide to attempt an eviction on a squat at 9pm on a Thursday night before a Bank Holiday weekend on a street full of bars? Whose stupid idea was that! Especially a squat opposite the much hated Tesco...

All this stuff about "petrol bombs" is blatant rubbish too - first it was just an eviction, then potential petrol bombs, now a raid because squatters were going to petrol bomb Tesco Hmm Some frantic arse-covering going on!

LilyBolero · 22/04/2011 20:54

Oh, I'm not condoning violence, but just pointing out that although things may have 'gone through the official channels' doesn't mean that they should have.

M44 · 22/04/2011 21:01

actually they found petrol bombs and cans ready to go........to be fair the police must have known something.
There are squatters and 'squatters'. We only hear about the really awful disruptive militant types. There are some decent squatters out there whose main aim is to care for the building, don't scrounge the electric etc and therefore help keep the building healthy. some have agreements with the owners that as soon as the building is wanted they leave. SO I would encourage you to think that these issues are not so black and white-but have an awful lot of 'grey' to consider.

RitaMorgan · 22/04/2011 21:04

I don't believe it for a second Grin The police had to find something after they just incited a riot.

Jellykat · 22/04/2011 22:03

I agree Rita, my DS1s' 'college' is in Stokes croft,and he lives very near. He's been telling me stories of what's been going on for over a year.. Do not believe all you hear on the news!

For instance, as i have just seen on his FB page - the police 'found' petrol bombs, yet they didn't evacuate the pubs or wine bars in that area?

I have seen pics of a squat opposite Tescos, and it is beautifully painted.. the graffiti art on it is fantastic.. (Banksy almost eat your heart out Grin) A well looked after building.. I also see the 'Peoples republic of Stokes croft' are slowly converting the area into a centre for culture.

There's definitely more to this..

zandy · 22/04/2011 22:22

If they didn't want a Tesco, surely all they had to do was boycott it, and the lack of money through the till will force it to close.

retiredgoth2 · 22/04/2011 22:29

Stokes Croft? Blimey. Awful. It's just a shame that the Luftwaffe failed to completely regenerate the area. Frankly, I'm pretty sure no one has done much to it since..

Local residents? What residents? Who the Sam Hill would live there??

RitaMorgan · 22/04/2011 22:31

Interesting that all the news reports seem to think it was a anti-Tesco squat, when it's been there for years before the Tesco opened!

Jellykat - surely if the police thought there was a building full of petrol bombs on a busy street, they'd have had the fire brigade standing by too? It doesn't add up to me.

Jellykat · 22/04/2011 22:49

Exactly Rita!

retiredgoth2 seems like good things are happening there tho'

www.prsc.org.uk

RitaMorgan · 22/04/2011 22:57

I'm a local resident Grin

Jellykat · 22/04/2011 23:10

Grin Rita

Niceguy2 · 23/04/2011 06:26

If you don't want a Tesco there then just don't bloody shop there. If enough local residents feel the same way then it will be unprofitable and they'll close.

If lots of people do shop there then perhaps it's time to face the fact that actually there are people who do like Tesco.

What you don't do is trash the place and threaten to burn it down

Gooseberrybushes · 23/04/2011 06:30

They must have had so many police because they knew that the word would go round and gangs of violent people would descend. They were right, they did. There's so much anti-police feeling. It's not surprising they were cautious.

Original poster
Chil1234 · 23/04/2011 07:08

Pathetic isn't it? All across the Middle East we've got people demonstrating, fighting, risking death, torture and imprisonment in an effort to oust violent dictators and win democracy. And in Bristol protesters are resorting to violence because.... they don't want a supermarket? Ridiculous.

OP posts:
Gooseberrybushes · 23/04/2011 08:03

They're resorting to violence because they can. They think they're heroes fighting oppression.

Although one does loathe Tescos rather.

They're all awful.

Gooseberrybushes · 23/04/2011 08:05

And, they're doing it because it's condoned. Ibid this thread and the student riot thread and the heroic celebrations of Brixton thirty years ago.

M44 · 23/04/2011 08:13

Actually Stokes Croft is not such a bad place to live. There is lots of regeneration going on and it is irresponsible land owners who have let the buildings rot that have brought the area down......

pod3030 · 23/04/2011 08:43

tescos got in by a back door, we all thought it had been refused. there was a lot of conscientious protest and objections. that area is a thriving cultural area with artist studios and co-operatives. the arts trail is on 7&8th may. it's an up and coming area with thriving organic cafes independant traders and a community feel. how i imagine st werburghs started out. there was mention in local reports that an official of tescos in response to the objections, called stokes croft people 'street scum'.

RitaMorgan · 23/04/2011 09:33

The Tesco issue is a bit of a red herring - people didn't riot over a Tesco.

Police attempted to evict a squat on a hot, busy evening before a bank holiday weekend. Locals and drinkers spilled out of the pubs and bars. It all get very out of hand.

Realising they had messed up big time, the police story is now that they were raiding a bomb-making factory intent on destroying Tesco. Think we shall have to wait and see if any convictions arise from this before we'll know if there really were any petrol bombs.

countingto10 · 23/04/2011 09:37

A Tesco Express has just been granted permission in a secondary parade near where I live despite a signed petition against it, genuine concern about traffic congestion re deliveries (a layby will need constructing), the parade already served by an Iceland, Alldays and a Co-op and an independent bakers, grocers, card retailer and a Boots. There was no need for Tescos - what is their motive ?

Their planning application was submitted a week before Christmas so many people were unaware due to bank holidays etc. In the end due to the objections the council agreed to take it before the planning committee so councillors could decide (although they didn't have to). In the end the council decided that whilst they were not happy about it, they would have to grant Tescos permission because they could not afford the £70,000 + should Tescos go to appeal (which no doubt they would). There was adequate grounds for refusal for traffic/pedestrian concerns alone.

Our town already has upwards of 10 tescos including a Tesco Extra. A couple of years ago they opened a Tescos Express opposite an independent Londis store (again nothing the council could do as the premises had planning already). Tescos only motive must have been putting a independent trader out of business (he is still trading although with a substantially reduced turnover).

Tescos could decide not to open these stores, make an ethical decision based on how their stores will effect the surrounding area and trading but they chose not to.

I, for one, never shop in Tescos and unfortunately, until others do likewise, Tescos will carry on with impunity.

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