Stokes Croft versus Tesco

Right, so I’ve missed out on all the excitement, but anyhow, here’s the story so far on the campaign to prevent the old Jesters building on Cheltenham Road from getting turned into another Tesco Express…

8th February

• Public meeting to discuss Stokes Croft redevelopment (Bristol 24-7)

11th February

• Tesco Update: Former Jesters squatted. Huge turnout for meeting on Monday. Stokes Croft organises its own consultation. Website launched (People’s Republic Of Stokes Croft)

12th February

• Stokes Croft residents join to fight new Tesco (Bristol 24-7)
• Tesco protesters need many voices to make light work (Bristol 24-7)

13th February

• Demonstration against Tesco plans for Stokes Croft (BBC News)

14th February

• No Tesco in Stokes Croft protest. The community finds its voice (People’s Republic Of Stokes Croft)

20th February

• Stokes Croft protests against new Tesco (Bristol 24-7)
• Tescoke’s Croft II (Bristol 24-7)

15th March

• Tesco squat ‘phone tree’ number (People’s Republic Of Stokes Croft)
• Tesco make a move on Stokes Croft (Suit Yourself Magazine)

16th March

• Police and bailiffs out in force to evict anti-Tesco protest (Bristol 24-7)
• Tesco Stokes Croft protest (Trym Tales)
• Bailiffs evict Stokes Croft anti-Tesco campaigners (Bristol Evening Post)
• Tesco protest closes Gloucester Road (Redland People)
• Protesters at Tesco site in Bristol evicted (BBC News)
• Squatters at Tesco site in Stokes Croft are evicted (BBC News)
• Some Jesters photos (Bristol IndyMedia)
• Quick Jesters report (Bristol IndyMedia)
• Jester clip (Bristol IndyMedia)
• Jesters video (Bristol IndyMedia)
• Jesters building evicted (Bristol IndyMedia)
• Another day, another Tesco (Eugene Byrne)
• Squatters set their arms in CONCRETE in protest against opening of Tesco (Daily Mail)
• Protesters evicted from Jesters on Cheltenham Road (Stokes Croft) (Avon & Somerset Constabulary press office)

17th March

• Bristol’s Tesco challenge: can you shop in all 17 stores in one hour? (The Guardian)
• ‘No Tesco In Stokes Croft’ campaign update (People’s Republic Of Stokes Croft)
• Report of Trial of one of the Tesco squatters at Bristol Magistrates’ Court (People’s Republic Of Stokes Croft)
• The battle of Stokes Croft. Bailiffs v anti-Tesco campaigners (Bristol Evening Post)

18th March

• Battle of Stokes Croft cost £60k to police anti-Tesco protest (Bristol Evening Post)

19th March

• Anti-Tesco group ‘determined’ to make voice heard (Bristol 24-7)
• Call for consultation over Stokes Croft Tesco (Jack FM)

20th March

• The ‘Battle of Stokes Croft’: Press reportage (People’s Republic Of Stokes Croft)
• Eviction of Tesco squatters: A short film… ‘Tesco bailiffs’ (People’s Republic Of Stokes Croft)

23rd March

• Banner drop to support anti-Tesco resistance in Stokes Croft (Bristol IndyMedia)
• Security invade student accommodation above the proposed Tesco in Stokes Croft (Bristol IndyMedia)

Related links

• No Tesco In Stokes Croft
• Tescopoly
• Facebook group against Jesters Tesco

I leave the last word to Al Shaw from Redland People/Trym Tales:

“…I am surprised that on the official press release by Avon and Somerset Constabulary announcing the eviction the force find it necessary to assist Tescos in their PR campaign by quoting a Tesco spokesman uncritically in connection with the company’s desire to open the controversial store.

“It’s one thing for the police to enforce the decision of a court (which is part of their job); when they act as a mouthpiece for a huge company which is widely disliked and criticised by people from a range of social and economic backgrounds, it seems to me that the force has stepped over the wrong side of a line and manifested a poitical bias.”

[Edited to add links.]