Tesco has revealed that its Tesco Express outlet in the UK city of Bristol will remain closed while police investigate a seven-hour riot that took place outside the newly-opened store.
According to reports, the riot was sparked by a police raid on a nearby squat, where it was believed anti-Tesco protesters were preparing to petrol bomb the shop. Eight police officers were injured during the violence that broke-out in the early hours of Friday morning (22 April).
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The opening of the Tesco Express in Stokes Croft has been the subject of considerable local debate, with residents fearing that it will threaten local shops.
Commenting on the disturbance, Tesco UK chief executive Richard Brasher said he was “very saddened” by last week’s events, which, he said, “stemmed from the illegal actions of a few individuals”.
“There has been a vigorous local debate about the future of this vibrant but economically deprived community. Our contribution is to seek to provide good local jobs and much better access to fresh quality food. Many local people have welcomed this, while others have a different vision,” he said.
A spokesperson for the company revealed that the store will remain closed for “the time being” to “assess the situation and to allow police to continue their investigation”.
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