14 Sep 2009Bristol City stadium plans cause public protests

Football Supporters News | Football Technology and Stadia

Residents of south Bristol took to the streets on Saturday (September 12th) in protest against plans to build a new Tesco supermarket on the site of the Ashton Gate stadium.

Bristol City are planning to move from their current home to a new £65 million arena nearby, but the success of the proposal rests on raising some money by allowing Tesco to open a new outlet in Bedminster.

However, local people are concerned that the arrival of the supermarket giant will harm many of the independent businesses currently located in the area, as well as increasing traffic and pollution.

According to the Bristol Evening Post, the protest was hailed as a success after approximately 300 people took part.

However, a spokesperson for Tesco said that the new supermarket is a vital part of Bristol City's plans for a new stadium.

He commented: "It's Bristol City's application and we're pleased to have been invited. It would enable the club to build a new stadium, potentially to host international football and be part of the 2018 FIFA World Cup bid."

In 2007, Bristol City chairman Stephen Lansdown said that the club hoped to move into the new stadium - known as Ashton Vale - for the start of the 2011-12 season.

Written by Terry Mitchell

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