Evening Post backlash at Sainsbury decision

You can just imagine it can't you? Evening Post office on Wednesday night preparing to pop the champagne and claim 'It was the Post that won it' on Thursday's edition. Maybe they started to sweat a bit when the planning meeting passed ten o'clock in the evening. And then the unthinkable, the supermarket proposal at Ashton Gate is refused.

In Thursday's edition they just manage to get the decision on the front page, but not too much more. Damn those deadlines. The hacks must have been pretty miffed. Bet they couldn't wait for today to unleash their finest on the Ashton Gate scandal (could this be Aston Gate-Gate?).  Mike Ribbeck, Ian Onions, Andy Sloan and Uncle Tom Cobbly all had their say on the story. Pages 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 10 and the back page all cover the story. Come on guys, don't you think you're going a bit over the top? Balanced reporting? Well let's just say the Post has maintained its pro supermarket, sod the local community stance.

Through all the froth and frenzy my favourite quote was Cllr Mark Bradshaw (Labour Bedminster) who said: 'Suggestions that everyone in Bedminster was opposed to the development are about as fanciful as suggesting that most of my constituents can afford to do their weekly shop in North Street'.  Having read this I immediately contacted Aldi (in North Street) to check they haven't doubled their prices. I was assured that they hadn't and would continue to provide excellent value for money for the local community.

And so the saga rumbles on...

Newsflash - Councillors refuse application for Ashton Gate superstore

Well I never! At the Council House tonight councillors on the South & East Planning Committee have rejected Sainsbury's proposals for a massive supermarket on the current site of Bristol City's ground at Ashton Gate. Simply Southville understands it was rejected by four votes to two, with two abstentions.

Well done to the people in Southville, Ashton and Bedminster who have campaigned to stop this unnecessary development. Let's hope Bristol City can find an alternative use for the site which is more suitable, so it can fund its plans for a new stadium.

More to follow tomorrow...

Now you see him, now you don't

Illusionist Derren Brown returned to Bristol on Sunday night to perform unannounced at the Tobacco Factory in Southville. Brown studied at Bristol University and lived in Clifton after graduating in 1994.

He was third on the bill at the Raleigh Road theatre to fellow magicians Peter Clifford and Peter Wardell.

Recently we've had Peter Andre at Asda, Derren Brown at the 'Baccy Factory, who's next? Cheryl Cole at the Spotted Cow!

BOB's back this Saturday

Best of Bedminster (BOB) Show takes place on Saturday 26 September from 10.30am to 3.30pm on North Street Green. There will be all the usual competitions including best jam, best wildlife photo, best cake and best mini garden, as well as stalls from local environmental groups, a Dr Bike session, refreshments from the Malago WI, entertainment, games and all round fun.

BERATE launches anti-superstore film

Local documentary film maker, Lucy Swingler, has produced a new film that documents the campaign to prevent the building of a giant Tesco Extra superstore at Ashton Gate Stadium.

You can watch the film now on YouTube.

During the 10 minute film, local residents and shop keepers in North Street, Southville, describe the history of the street, their shops and the area, and explain why its such a great community to be part of. They also explain why they don't want the new superstore at the stadium site and what they would like to see there instead.

Lucy, who has worked on a range of historical and factual programmes says that she was motivated to create the film after talking to shop keepers about their worries over the store. She says: 'I use the North Street shops a lot, so I wanted to show the real fear that some have that a store will put their livelihoods at risk and jeopardise the regeneration that's taken place here. I also wanted to capture the central role that North Street now plays in the community.'

The film will be shown publicly for the first time at the meeting arranged for tomorrow night at St.Francis's Church on North Street (7.30pm). Local politicians, councillors and members of the city's planning committee, as well as a representative from Bristol City Football Club and local community groups have been invited to come along to discuss the proposed store and see the film.

Chris Uttley, speaking for the campaign said: 'We hope the film will be viewed as part of our submission to the planning application. Hopefully it demonstrates to the council and others the human face behind the damage that we believe the store will do to our community and why we value what we have now a great deal.'

Civic Society warns Tesco 'death knoll' for North Street

Bristol Civic Society has come out against a superstore development at Ashton Gate. The 100 year old society is an independent, voluntary organisation that exists to improve Bristol’s built environment and celebrate its heritage.

In a statement reported today it says: 'The Tesco proposal is contrary to long-established national planning principles because it would create an imbalance of choice between superstores and small traders. North Street is becoming revitalised as an independent shopping centre of distinction. Another giant Tesco would be its death knoll.'

The Society adds: 'The supermarket proposal is unwelcome and inappropriate. It must not be the price of a new stadium.'

Double bar boost to North Street

The recession might be setting in but two of the bars in North Street are being revamped. The ever popular Lounge is currently expanding into a third shop. It currently occupies 227/229 North Street and is in the process of extending into 231.

On the other side of the street at 220, the old Quba Ice bar has been extended out the back and is being completely refurbished. When it reopens it will be known as the Terrace Cafe.