Press release: MALAGO WI BACKS BERATE

MALAGO WI BACKS BERATE

Malago Women’s Institute say no to Tesco.

Members of Malago WI last week voted overwhelmingly to support BERATE, the campaign opposing plans to build a Tesco superstore at Ashton Gate.

Malago WI vice-president, Lottie Storey, said:

“Malago WI, a group for all women of south Bristol, has huge concerns about the impact a superstore of this size will have on our community.

“There are countless examples of areas in which new supermarkets have effectively killed off the local, independent traders – those at the centre of our community that have been so essential in maintaining and stimulating economic growth in much of south Bristol.

“This cannot be allowed to happen in an area held up by many as a shining example of local high street regeneration, and one with plenty of supermarkets already.”

The potential impact of a superstore at Ashton Gate would have dire environmental consequences for south Bristol, increasing traffic and congestion in the surrounding communities, making the roads less safe for pedestrians, as well as worsening air quality.

The group would like to see a proposal for the site incorporating affordable housing, leisure or sport activities, all of which would benefit the community in significant ways.

Malago Women’s Institute is set to celebrate its first birthday in October, and has grown from a group of 10 founding members to a membership of over 50. Made up of women of all ages, the group includes those who have lived in the area all their lives, as well as members who are new to the city.

The WI has a particular interest in environmental sustainability, and Malago WI has developed an environmental policy and action plan setting out its vision for minimising its own environmental impact and exploring ways to support local, sustainable projects.

For the second year running, Malago WI will be providing refreshments for the Best of Bedminster Show, the local urban village fair taking place on North Street Green on Saturday 26 September 2009 (organised by Climate Action Bedminster).

Ends.

Notes to editors:

Malago Women’s Institute meets the last Wednesday of every month at 8pm,

Bedminster Methodist Church, British Road, Bristol BS3 3BW. All women welcome. Annual membership of the WI costs £29.

For more information, email jointhewi@googlemail.com or visit:

http://www.malagowi.co.uk

Malago WI’s environmental policy is available to view on the website:

http://malagowi.blogspot.com/2009/04/malago-wi-environmental-policy.html

Berate – Bedminster Residents Against Tesco’s Expansion into Ashton Gate - is the campaign group pulling together local opposition to the proposed superstore development at Ashton Gate. For more information visit: http://berate.co.uk/

The Best of Bedminster Show takes place on 26th September 2009, 10.30am - 3.30pm on North Street Green. For more information, visit: http://www.northstreetgreen.com/best-of-bedminster-2009

For more information on Climate Action Bedminster, organisers of the Best of Bedminster Show, visit: http://www.ecojam.org/directory/listing/climate-action-bedminster-1