The fiasco hovering over the proppsed purchase of the Memorial Stadium bySainsbury seems to be bordering on the biggest bad smell imaginable. This planning application is not just about Bristol Rovers new stadium. There is actually a more important issue. If the supermarket giant is permited to pull the plug on its committment, there is the whole issue of a largge number of social homes which will be lost to the local community. So that will be 65, I believe, families who will miss out on the opportunity to purchase them. I am not party to what has been argued by the leagal chappies. It seems to me that Sainsburys have employed a QC with a list of successes as long as an arm to win this case. It seems obvious to anyone who is involved that Sainsburys dont want to proceed with their commitment for no other reason than the change in their market place over the last few months. If Mrs Justice Proudfoot finds in Sainsburys favour then let it be on hers and Sainsburys concience that a large number of families will be deprived of a home. Oh, and incidentally, Bristol will be deprived of a wonnderful sporting opportunity to build a magnificent stadium.
Think of all the job opportunities that will come with building UWE stadium. And building Sainsburys & the houses on the Mem. If Sainsburys win then all those jobs that would be created would go as well. Shows Sainsburys dont care about Bristol or any area. Just care about their profits. They are not good neighbours. They could do much more to be apart of the community. That would bring more customers through their door. Building these houses, where do they think these people will shop? Sainsburys know there are a lot of people living around the Mem who cant wait to see Rovers gone due to parking issues on a matchday, some trouble fans may cause in the streets, litter etc etc. Sainsburys could remove Rovers from the area taking away all the fear and issues that the locals have. Sainsburys will be providing a car park for people to use when they go down Gloucester Rd to the local shops. This stops any parking issues that the locals will have. Even if Sainsburys dont build their shop. They could sell it for more housing. They could sell it to the council to make a new school in the area. Sainsburys could come out looking great. IF THEY JUST DO THE RIGHT THING. Jobs would be created which gives a lot of people stability. Sainsburys will gettheir money back in time either by their own shop or selling the land on to someone else. Rovers get their new stadium. Everyone is happy. Just think, its come out in court that the only reason why Sainsburys wants out the deal is because they expected to make £1m profit ( I think it was per month). However due to peoples shopping habits changing, they now project to make just £800k profit. Thats still a massive profit. But not to them so they want out and put risk a local football clubs future, put risk new homes as you say Sapphire, put risk a lot of jobs that are waiting to be created, all because they are greedy gits as not happy with £800k profit.
Another thing that may swing it in their direction. Sainsburys and many other supermarkets have pulled out on deals. If we win our case and Sainsburys have to pay up, that sets the benchmark where others will act like we have done and take these supermarkets to court. That would be right but would the Judge think that would be the right thing?
On the subject of supermarkets the Co-op in Kingswood is being pulled down and being replaced by a Lidl any chance of them buying the mem to build a store?
Reading in the press a while ago that Tesco's have been caught in similar positions, the have built houses or factories on the sites instead and recovered their money that way I got the impression that the price for the Mem was so high because Sainsbury's outbid other interested parties
Seamge, of course we dont know if they put a bid in for the Mem. But as old timer said, there was lots of bids for the Mem and Sainsburys put in the highest bid £30m. Wonder what the next highest bid was! Now if we lose, we could easily put the Mem back on the market but I doubt we will get as much as £30m which may effect us being able to actually pay for UWE. There will also new planning permission needed, that takes a while and wether its accepted or rejected then a period of time to appeals from locals etc (TRASH). Then maybe judicial reviews and again some numpty applying for the Mem to be a war memorial - you know the usual delay tactics. We will have to go through the whole thing again. But we may not even put the Mem up on the market if UWE pull out which they have threatened to do as they have other plans in place for the land if we fail with Sainsburys. We may have to look for land elsewhere and seek planning permission for that. Could be 5/6 years down the line and then hoping no one pulls out on us again!
The Coop in Portishead has already sold out to Aldi. The Greens in Bristol should feel really proud of themselves as the main cause for this dilema.
One thing that i believe will go in our favour, was when the court case was set for May shamesburys tried to have it put back a year to fully prepare. If that isn't blatantly trying to stall and stop the sale. I am sure the judge will take that into account.
I was as excited as anyone with the UWE announcement 4 years ago and it really is essential to us losing our ragbag title and to progress, however i remember saying at the time my one reservation was selling to the big boys, i just don't trust these corporate giants they are the greediest and slipperiest and sell souls for a pastime. As i expressed on the OF all those years ago - When you dance with the Devil, you sometimes end up in Hell. I pray this isn't the case.
It's such an important development for the community and would be a massive loss if it's scuppered. The Greens don't know a good community scheme when they see one.
Don't be to hard on the Greens, at the last election they were saying that man should be able to have two wives or a woman two husbands, just think fellas two mother in laws. doesn't that alter your opinion of them
