Yet again BCFC deliver what the socialist republic of Bristol and it's useless mayor cannot deliver, a centre that is usable for this task. I hope that given BCFC' shoddy dealings with the previous useless mayor and council, it will remembered regarding our latest planning applications, BCFC do more for the community than they ever will.
It's not difficult to do more than eff all though is it (other than obstructing what could be positive things to benefit for the local area and city itself), which is exactly what successive Mayors and overpaid and underworked council employees have done
Also the wasted years and vast amounts of money wasted on feasibility studies for Bristol's (England's 5th biggest city ) failed attempts to build an arena, that could and should be benefiting Bristolians and especially at times like this, shame on them for being so self serving and useless for so long. And now going ahead with plans to put it where most Bristolians don't even want it to be sited, it's almost as if they deliberately make decisions to piss Bristolians off.
Bristol City council did not block Bristol City's planning applications. They also sold land to Mr Lansdown which could have been sold to developers for higher sums because they saw worth in a stadium development to the wider community. Mr Ferguson clearly supported redeveloping Ashton Gate rather than the ground being turned into a supermarket. Mr Rees being useless .. Pretty close.
I suspect uncle Steve doesn't see it that way, he refused to shake Ferguson's hand after the final decision was made. Of course I am sure that Mr Ferguson's support for redeveloping Ashton Gate had absolutely nothing to do with his ownership of the Tobacco factory watering hole and loss of revenue on match days?
The Tobacco Factory doesn't really cater for football fans. Football fans have lost the Tobacco Factory money, we tend to be noisy, we scare their clientele, the Tobacco Factory like many North Street premises has seen football related violence - Coventry fans were hidden in the offices of the TB to protect them after being attacked and one fan knocked unconscious, the Tobacco Factory factory has banned Bristol City fans in the past like other venues (Hen and Chicken). The Spanish bar, the Masonic have other North Street proprietors complaining about their businesses and City fans on matchdays. North Streets success is not dependant on the custom of fans. I suspect uncle Steve doesn't see it that way, he refused to shake Ferguson's hand after the final decision was made ... I suspect he isn't missing the twenty million Sainsburys were going to pay him for Ashton Gate - No superstore no stadium. Well there is, it was a silly argument, twenty million was always available to Mr Lansdown (Mr Ferguson was right there ..). Mr Lansdown will have his sports village and housing empire and be millions upon millions of quids in. South Bristol and Bristol will benefit. Turned out well.
Its frequently rammed. Not now but was for all kinds of reasons beatboxing last time I was in there. Football trade is not a high priority like it is for the Lions, Masonic, Miners, Spanish etc. The Tobacco Factory is targeting entirely differing demographics like the Hen and Chicken does, while the pro football establishments operate differently - The Spanish drops prices, has guest ciders stocks natch and gold in cans for matchdays.
The Spotted Cow was also badly trashed a few years ago. Can't remember if it was by Swansea, Cardiff or Milwall fans ?
There were proviso's attached to the sale and the purchase had to ensure continued community use and maintain the character of the building. Its certainly used by a section of the community and its use is mixed with the theatre space and upper level utilised by businesses. George Ferguson lived/lives in a roof top flat. The change in North Street post redevelopment is startling. The gentrification to myself is not wholly positive. Many could no longer afford to live in what was a working class area. Luckwell (?) but it was Milwall fans within and Bristol City attempting to get in doing their share of the damage.