Sainsburys alcohol license granted

Unfortunate news, Sainsburys alcohol license was granted at the council hearing yesterday. Five representatives from Sainsburys attended vs the five members of the public who turned up to oppose including myself.

Though it has been approved, the fight is far from over... We now have two options: appeal or review. Appealing will go through the court is an expensive process and is used to appeal the council's decision, the review is as it says, a review of the licence again if we can gather more evidence and present a stronger case... So we will certainly be submitting a review, armed with the knowledge of the hearing procedures.

So much has been learned from this experience, too much to write in this one blog. So i have decided to write an account of everything that went on in the hearing, to keep for future use, and so for those who will follow the same path elsewhere, we can help by having a document of exactly how everything happens; all the procedures, do's and dont's.

KWL in Bristol's local food update

http://www.transitionbristol.net/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Bristols-local-food-update-July-Aug11.pdf

Burlington Rd, Street Party

This was the scene today on Burlington Rd, just off Whiteladies Rd; the locals clearly enjoying the scorching sunshine on a summer’s afternoon.
This is a fantastic reminder to every one that the Whiteladies area is more than just a shopping high street, it's a community, it's a place people call 'home'. :)

First stage a success!!

Great news! Have just received a letter from the council... Our objections to Sainsbury's alcohol licence have been considered valid! So it will now go to a licencing commitee and a hearing! Just going through all the rights and legal documents now, will update shortly with more information.

Last chance to oppose Sainsbury's alcohol licence!

We now only have today and tomorrow to submit objections of the alcohol licence application for Sainsburys. For information on how to do so please look to the prior blog entry titled 'Alcohol licence objection DEADLINE' .

Here is the link the the council's licence application page:
http://www.bristol.gov.uk/ccm/content/Business/Licences-and-street-trading/licensing-file-storage-items/licensing-register--premises-licence-club-premises-certificates-and-provisional-statements---grant-applications.en

Judicial review for Tesco in Stokes Croft appeal granted!!!!!!

Tesco in Stokes Croft appeal has been granted a Judicial Review - so we might stand a chance at removing their permission to trade! This is something everyone needs to get behind! It is massive. It's basically a world first. Do not underestimate the possibilities here!

Here is what Ashley Councillor, Gus Hoyt, says of the permission for the judicial review:

'I strongly feel the wrong decision was made by the planning committee; they completely failed to take into account the extra deliveries a 'Tesco Express' requires. The fact that the deliveries DO occur out of hour slots they were given, demonstrates exactly how much the store respects BCC guidelines. They do not deserve to earn trade in this neighbourhood'

This is a very inspiring and encouraging piece of news, not only just for us in Whiteladies but also for the whole of Bristol! Now is truly the time to get involved and push back the flood.

Here is a link to an article today in the Guardian: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/15/bristol-tesco-opponents-day-in-court?INTCMP=SRCH

Tesco's plans brought to light

Seems like the Evening Post are also having a hard time trying rationalise the need for five supermarkets on one street.

They have published an article today page 8, regarding the new Tesco store at the bottom of Whiteladies Rd, including a map of where all the supermarkets are situated on the road, visually showing just how absurd it is! Here is the link to the article online:

http://www.thisisbristol.co.uk/Derelict-petrol-station-shop-flats/story-12765895-detail/story.html