Tesco Riots

Tesco Riots

The Tesco Riots took place on Stokes Croft in 2011
  • What radicalism
  • When 21 Apr, 2011 to 22 Apr, 2011 (Europe/London / UTC100)
  • Where Stokes Croft
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Stokes Croft is the informal name given to the area adjoining the street of the same name and to Cheltenham and Gloucester Roads respectively. This major arterial road was a flourishing district until WWII bombing led a spiral of decline. In that post war period, the empty properties became a hub for alternative lifestyles. Full Marks a much-loved anarchist bookshop sat next to a long running squat in and just off the Stokes Croft area as well as independent shops. Stokes Croft became the vanguard of inner-city Bristol’s artist led resurgence.  Potter, businessman, Chris Chalky opened a ceramics factory that then supported the radical community the aptly titled the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft just off Jamaica Street while opposite PRS the former Government building Hamiliton House reopened as an artist's studio space, rehearsal, and eatery. The revival of these and other spaces brought a new buzz to the area. Former residents, the denizens of turbo island were joined by students and young trendies. The economic shift in the area crystallized around Tesco’s decision to open a store on Cheltenham Road. The move led to protest from the local community fearful that this would bring an end to the area’s independent avante garde identity.  

 There are conflicting accounts as to what led to the confrontation between police and protestors. Spokesmen for the Avon and Somerset constabulary claim to have received intelligence that a plan to firebomb the squat had been organized by residents at nearby Telepathic Heights. According to some voices some have maintained that this intelligence was a pretext to clear out the squat.   

 Over 100 police officers in riot gear and on horseback were involved with running battles with protestors, sympathizers with the squat. Members of the public were inadvertently caught up in the riot as they tried to navigate the busy throughfare.    

As part Trinity’s Art of Resistance project, PRSC founder Chris Chalkey led a trail around the site area pointing out the recent history of the area and providing an alternative take on what occurred.