Posted by admin on August 19, 2010 | 3 Comments
Sainsbury’s have been in negotiations with Bristol City Council to take over what was the old Treshers off license at the start of Gloucester Road in Bristol. The first application a few months back was turned down but it appears the latest appeal has been upheld and work is already commencing on the premises.
Given the number of independant traders on the Gloucester Road in Bristol, it is pretty certain this latest addition will cause some controversy. Some might argue that it will bring a lot of new people into the area but of course it must have an impact of some of the businesses in the immediate area. The traditional corner shop is surely set to be hit quite hard but one would imagine that a number of business may be effected.
On the other hand there are usually certain types of business that will benefit. Local eateries, cafes and restaurants will hope to entice some of the extra foot fall through their door and a general increase in traffic may help to promote The Gloucester Road. Since it is going to happen anyway we may as well try and turn it to our advantage.
What do you think? We would like to know and this is exactly the type of community issue we would like to discuss on gloucester-rd.co.uk so give us your thoughts.
I think the area is lacking a supermarket and as i have no car, personally I will benefit. As for the smaller corner shops i do think a giant like Sainsbury’s should have to compensate some of the stores they will have a huge impact on. If like other areas, for instance the Clifton Triangle which had 3 newsagents/mini markets before Sainsbury’s, we will lose our small independent convenience stores, which will be a great shame. All though Sainsbury’s will be just as convenient and probably cheaper the real lose is the individual personalities and the personal touch that a large corporate simply cannot match.
I hope that Sainsburys and other multiples will see it as in their interest to support rather than undermine the independents that make the mile of trading on Gloucester Rod from the Arches to Filton Avenue a unique shopping experience. Will they support the Christmas Trees lighting scheme? And the Glouceter Road Alternative Bag campaign to reduce the use of plastic bags and unnecessary packaging?
Peter, thank you your valuable contribution it is appreciated. Steve