Woolies Indoor Market/Clifton Bazaar Bristol to become Sainsbury's supermarket?

By Laura_Local | Friday, May 20, 2011, 13:01

It's already had a pretty varied history since the demise of Woolworths, but the Whiteladies Road branch in Redland, Bristol, looks set to become another supermarket - this time Sainsbury's.

Bristol: Woolies Indoor Market / Clifton Bazaar / Sainsbury's?

Its first incarnation was as Woolies Indoor Market, a bustling selection of market stalls and boutiques all under one roof. It was there that Cox and Baloney's first started out. Then earlier this year it was turned into the Clifton Bazaar - a similar fare of lots of small businesses in the vicinity of the old Woolworths store.

The latest development has seen supermarket giant Sainsbury's, which has a store just a few hundred yards down the road in the Clifton Down Shopping Centre, purchasing the site. Residents and traders have complained there is no need for another supermarket on Whiteladies Road.

Just a few doors down we have The Co-Op (formerly Somerfields) and just across the road is Tesco Express. There is also talk of Tesco purchasing the petrol station site near the BBC on Whiteladies Road.

New Tesco stores are a controversial subject in Bristol, as we saw from the recent Stokes Croft riots when Tesco attempted to open a branch in the strongly independent-focused area. They also opened a branch in College Green last year, which was objected to at the time.

The argument is simple. Yes, supermarkets are convenient. They have the resources to stock a wide range of good and sell them at relatively low prices. But what about our local independent traders? They simply cannot compete with these multi-national companies.

The argument is much more poignant in this instance. We're losing a wonderful space (the former Woolworths store) for local businesses which cannot perhaps afford their own premises and we're replacing it with a business giant. That cannot be right.

Sustainable Redland has expressed its concern. It said: "This is part of a staggering growth in the Big Four multiples in the Bristol area, from 19 stores in 2004 to 79 in 2010 and growing fast. It will mean we have two Sainsburys, two Tesco, and a Coop on Whiteladies Road. On the face if it this is brilliant convenience and choice for local shoppers. Behind the scenes though, concern is growing about what this is doing to food production, distribution, and wholesale markets."

They added: "If we want our local independent retailers and producers to survive, we have to wise up to what is happening, put our money where our mouths are and rethink our shopping habits."

What do you think? Do you welcome more supermarkets in Redland, Bristol, or would you rather see the small man thrive? We'd love to hear your thoughts...

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Comments

Yes the ever growing amount of supermarkets is ridiculous. I see they are opening a new Co-Op in Bristol too. To be fair, that's one of my favourite supermarkets but in the last year or so I've seen Sainsbury's opened in the centre of town and on Gloucester Road, Tesco on Stokes Croft and Park St and the relaunch of the Co-Ops (from Somerfields on Whiteladies Road and St Michael's Hill). Thankfully Asda hasn't got in on the local store act...yet. It's shocking and I feel so bad for hardworking indie traders like Koolmami.

By KimCub at 13:48 on 02/06/11
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Did you know that in 2004 there were 19 supermarkets in Bristol. Now there are over 80. It's not our convenience they're interested in. It's their market share and their position in the pecking order against each other. Makes me very cross.

By better01 at 14:20 on 01/06/11
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I'm one of the traders affected by this closure. I can't really blame the owners of the building really as it makes more financial sense to them to have a steady income and make full use of the space. Sometimes, when things happen is for a reason.
We had some traders who manage their stalls as a proper business. Unfortunately, other traders were a let down, always coming in late, not coming at all, not paying rent and this affected us all now.
It's a real shame but people move on.
We are going to the new Harbourside Market in the weekends plus we will be trading online and also we are looking for other venues. Watch this space! :)

By www.koolmami.com at 15:37 on 24/05/11
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sad news but atleast they gave it a shot! I agree that the footfall just wasnt there! but does that area really need a Sainsbury's?

By Trucks79 at 14:46 on 24/05/11
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Word from one or two traders I knew there was that the footfall into the bazaar/Woolies just wasn't large enough. Initially, at least, the rental costs of units there were very low, but if the shoppers are not coming in, low rents are of limited use.

Also, despite its prominent location, not sure there was a real marketing strategy for the venue as a whole. Compare a Cribbs Causeway or Cabot Circus. massively different scale, of course, but the owners do market it as a whole venue - not just down to the individual retailers.

Perhaps the business model of this type of venture is best suited to a co-operative, where all traders own the whole, not just their small part.

By Al_Shaw at 21:55 on 23/05/11
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