c/o Southville Centre, Beauley Road, Bristol, BS3 1QG

To Dan Stone,

Development Mangement,

City Development,

Bristol City Council,

Brunel House,

St George’s Road,

Bristol, BS1 5UY

January 31 2011

Dear Dan,

Reference Sainsbury’s at Ashton Gate (10/04777/P)

This is a response to the Retail Impact Risk Management Package proposals commissioned by Sainsbury’s from Zeteor Ltd.

It is generally accepted that the establishment of the largest super store in the West Country is unlikely to have a beneficial impact on neighbouring retail areas. The debate is about whether this impact will be very damaging, even fatal to many shops and thus to the range of outlets that will sustain future prosperity, or relatively mild with only a few casualties. The situation is more hazardous because our retail areas are already weakened and vulnerable due to the general economic climate.

Many local people, including the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership, would rather not take this risk in the first place and have therefore asked that the application be rejected.

The retail impact risk management package shows that Sainsbury’s recognizes this risk. The Zeteor package contains some very sensible suggestions: so sensible indeed that several local organizations within the Greater Bedminster Community Partnership have already made them. Indeed, some work has actually been undertaken on some aspects of an improvement plan for the retail streets which form the backbone of our community. Among the groups involved have been the North Street Traders’ Association, East Street Traders’ Association, North Street Green Action Group, the Sustainable Southville and Patchwork Projects of Southville CDA and Transition BS3. In addition to Illuminate, which is mentioned by Zeteor, GBCP members including Show of Strength and the South Bank Arts Trail have helped to promote the streets by using them for cultural events. It would be possible, but tedious, to list both the actual advances of recent years and our plans for the future.

In addition to community based organization, we have worked closely with the police and various BCC departments, for example, on a Place Management scheme. Both agencies have contributed markedly to the improvement of the retail corridor in recent years. Zeteor’s emphasis on cleaning and safety is misplaced, suggesting that these are generally filthy and dangerous places. Although nowhere is perfect, these streets are actually places that people enjoy visiting. We want to keep it that way with a move from Good to Better rather than Good to Worse.

We would like to salute the positive contribution of neighbourhood based officers from both the police and BCC. The authors of the Zeteor report do not seem to be aware of the significant improvements of recent years, thanks to effective community and statutory sector joint working. The report undervalues the contribution of many dedicated public servants in improving our neighbourhood. This is unfair.

No doubt Zeteor charged Sainsbury’s for their advice, which, as they admit, is based upon generalizations drawn from schemes in other places. We could have offered more precise and relevant comments for free, or, at least, half the cost.

Of course, progress in promoting our retail centres has moved slowly, in fits and starts. We have done what we can as little bits of money and other resources became available. It is, perhaps, because many people over several years have made small contributions to the streets (a bench here, a community garden there, a tree somewhere else; one day a food festival, another some street theatre) that local residents are so fierce in their loyalty to North and East Streets.

Obviously, £362,500 would be very nice. I suspect that we would spend it more wisely and with lower overheads than a Sainsbury’s sponsored scheme. But, the price is too high. The Sainsbury’s offer is to repair potential damage. We would rather avoid damage in the first place.

Many of the future improvements that we have identified are included in the Zeteor report. It may take us longer to introduce these improvements than if we accepted what many local people have described as a ‘bribe’ from Sainsbury’s. However, our improvements will be surer and more sustainable because they will represent real community commitment.

Yours sincerely

Matthew SymondsBen Barker

ChairSecretary