Cabot Circus - wealth generator or consumer cult?

bristol | globalisation | news report Thursday September 25, 2008 16:55 by Tony Gosling

New found Land or Same Old Fair?

Cabot Circus - wealth generator or consumer cult? New found Land or Same Old Fair? In this interview recorded on the day Cabot Cirus opened David Mowat asks is Cabot Circus really good for Bristol?

David Mowat, Bristol musician and Quaker recorded on te opening day of Cabot Circus

BRISTOL 25Sep08 - Bristol musician David Mowat was stopped from handing out leaflets earlier today by security in the new Cabot Circus. Ironically his leaflets were to publicise a debate at which Cabot Circus manager James Bailey will be discussing the pros and cons of the new development. In this 8 minute interview David eplains that the debate will be a balanced one with pro-and anti consumerism views on the table. The forthcoming debate also features Quaker economist Tony Weeks who will be lookig at alternative ideas of wealth creation to those now failing as part of the 'credit crunch'..
Cabot circus is the biggest building development Bristol has seen since the reconstruction following World War II. In the light of climate change, financil meltdown and energy crisis what will it achieve? What are the next aspects of Bristol which need regenerating?
http://www.bristolquakers.org.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FfL0diNQxw

The debate, entitled Options for Bristol's Regeneration, takes place at 7.30pm on Thursday 9th October at the Central Friends Meeting House, River Street Bristol BS2 9DG.

7.30pm at Central Meeting House River Street BS2 9DG Options for Regeneration in Bristol.
Cabot Circus: New found land or same old fair?

James Bailey, Centre Manager for Cabot Circus will describe the many benefits to Bristol brought by purchasing the world’s finest goods in the nation’s most popular retail outlets. Cabot Circus builds on a long tradition of city centre markets from the Old Market and on ‘Broad Meade’ onwards. 4,000 jobs will, it is hoped, be created and emphasis is on people from the most deprived areas of Bristol getting them.

Tony Weekes will stress the need to put creativity not consumerism into the heart of regeneration. How can we make our cities convivial and valuing of nature? And what of the impact of Cabot Circus on smaller shopping areas of Bristol? Tony was an economics lecturer at York University before going freelance. Now Fergusson Fellow at the Quaker study centre, Woodbrooke College, he’s applying the thinking of Fritz Schumacher, of ‘Small Is Beautiful’ fame, to local sustainability.

After hearing both speakers, members of the public will put forward their opinions and questions.