Thursday 14 March 2013

A painting still remains on the wall, almost two years later, as a reminder of the confrontation. Everything started the 15th April 2011. 


MESSAGE: "93% of local people say "no" to Tesco. Think Local, Boycott Tesco"

Despite a long campaign against its opening, the Tesco Express at 140 Cheltenham Road opened on 15th April 2011. Tesco was aware of the protests and  put 
additional security measures to defend the establishment. 


PICTURE: Tesco Express store in Stokes Croft, today.

Protests took place both inside and outside the store the following seven days after the "big opening". Locals didn't want Tesco in the neighbourhood range from the impact on independent shops and farmers. Although almost all protests were peaceful, such as attempts to use monopoly money to pay for goods, a small minority chose to throw paint and urinate on the shopfront.
On 21st April the police evicted squatters from the building known as 'Telepathic Heights', a property opposite the store.


PICTURE: Telepathic Heights, in Stokes Croft

This action led to a riot involving several people (160 police raid squat) and lasting for much of the night. The shop-front of the Tesco Store was damaged and some looting took place. Further confrontations between police and protesters occurred in the early hours of 29 April.


stokes350

According to The Post last year, local traders and residents in Stokes Croft believe that local businesses did not suffer because of the opening of the new supermarket, but it helped to bring more people to the area. 

The following video (here) is a community-based view of events of why did the Bristol Stokes Croft riot happen. It attempts to tell the story of what happened through the eyes of local people building up a picture of the chain of events. 



What did the press say?


Posted by Great little place called Bristol On Thursday, March 14, 2013 No comments

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