Stokes Croft Tesco to Become a Vertical Farm

The former Jester's Comedy Club on Stokes Croft, planned site of a controversial Tesco Local store, is to be turned into Bristol's first pioneering urban farm, Redland People has learned.

Sources close to Tescos senior management have confirmed exclusively to Redland People that, following the occupation of the would-be store by anti-Tesco protesters earlier this month, and their forced eviction by court officials and local police, a decision has been taken by the supermarket giant to shelve plans to turn the club into a local store.

In discussions with interested parties, it is understood that a deal is close to being signed with local co-operative Food For All who intend to turn the site into a radical model of urban farming and retailing.

"The double terraced roofs and the extensive sunny elevations are an ideal combination for a small-scale vertical farm," claims FFA representative Avril Follet. "We will have the capacity to supply hundreds of local households with fresh, affordable and locally grown produce year round."

It is understood that once the deal is confirmed later this month, local people will be invited to become members of the new farm, receiving regular crops in return for an annual subscription and several hours a week working on and around the farm.

Redland People understands that the surprising decision was taken following extensive local opposition to the proposed Tesco store and the anticipated financial costs of securing the premises from attacks and occupations. One source, who wished to remain anonymous, claimed that the decision by Tesco was essentially a financial one. "There was even a suggestion of Banky-like attacks on the store with sub-vertising of the brand. In the end, management made a pragmatic decision that the new store wasn't worth the hassle."

Vertical farms are, at present, largely theoretical and based on large-scale models, such as the one pictured. "A smaller farm will work on existing principles of permculture and will be less of an unknown," claims Ms Follet.