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Campaigners in Stokes Croft say they will fight plans for a Tesco there every step of the way.

Almost 300 people turned up to a meeting last night against the proposed Tesco Express on the site of the old Jester's comedy club.

The newly-fomed group "Say No To Tesco In Stokes Croft" say the store does not fit in with their vision of the area.

Campaigner, Claire Milne says the local community should decide:

"This is not about being 'anti' something.  This is about saying 'this is our beautiful community that we've worked so hard to play a really positive role in people's lives'.  It's just absolutely outrageous that the council have come along and given permission for a Tesco without asking us.

"Because the decision has got so far, people feel so disempowered by that corporate system that really doesn't allow us to have a say, because we feel like decisions are made without us being able to wade through all the complex paperwork and policies."



Bristol City Council have already granted Change of Use planning permission for the propsed Tesco store.  However the local residents feel they were not properly consulted.  They say the Council consulted the local community by sending letters to 55 neighbouring residents, sticking an A4 notification on a nearby lampost and publishing one line at the back of the Evening Post under Statutory Notifications.

After less than a week into the campaign, the group say nearly 1,000 people are now on their mailing list.

On Saturday afternoon they are planning an event outside the venue to raise awareness of the issue.

To find out more, check out their website:

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