2. The Spar
I have chosen to liaise with the Spar on my Chelsea
Road project.
The Spar has been owned by the same people
throughout being two different stores. Despite being
a Spar now, they still consider themselves a local
store. This is because only the name and supplier has
really changed.
I would like to focus on how the transition to being a
Spar has effected their business and relations to the
other local shops and businesses on the street.
I would like to interview the manager, Sally O Brien in
particular because she has been on Chelsea Road for
23 years.
I would also like to interview other businesses to find
out how they feel about having a Spar on the street
and do voxpops with local residents and customers to
get their opinion and find out whether locals will use
the Spar or consider it an intrusion on the local
community.
3. Treatment
My film would be a documentary style piece starting off by briefly establishing the
general hostility between local and chain businesses. This would be me talking
about news stories about the subject over images and B roll. I would then go on
to give a brief introduction to Chelsea Road and it’s history and then into more
detail about the history of the Spar.
It would then involve interviews with Sally and other members of staff with
interesting stories about the transition of the store to a Spar and how it has been
perceived. (using b roll of the Spar)
I would also use voxpops of the general public talking about how it has effected
the community. (using b roll of Chelsea Road)
Then I would talk to other business owners about how the Spar has effected their
business and how they feel about the change from a local store to a well known
brand store.
4. If I cannot film interviews in the store due to sound limitations I have permission to use the
staff room, which also has a power outlet so I can charge equipment if needs be, and I can
use the store as b roll.
I need to get permission to film voxpops outside the Spar.
As far as the feel of the piece goes, it depends on the feelings of the interviewees on the
subject. I don’t believe there is any strong animosity towards the owners of the Spar as the
change is largely just branding because the same people still own it. However I have been
told that there are locals that refuse to use the Spar because they don’t consider it a local
business.
5. Location Recce
Key Contacts – Sally O Brien, Tony Goss and Gary
Location – 6 Chelsea Road, City Centre, Bath, BA1 3DU
Email – tony@gossbros.co.uk (Tony, manager)
- chelsearoad@gossbros.co.uk (Sally, manager)
- manager@gossbros.co.uk (Gary, manager)
Number – Tony (office) – 01752 335688
6. Sound
• Fridges
• Radio
• Tills
• Shoppers
• Staff
Light
• Fluorescent/ flat
I spoke to Gary and he said that some of the staff were willing to be on
camera and others weren’t so the best thing would be to bring release forms
when we go to shoot and anyone that wants to be interviewed can be.
7. Benefits
I think this film would be extremely beneficial for either side of the
local/chain argument because it allows everyone to be heard.
It can also be beneficial/educational for people that don’t live in the area,
because it will show that even if a “chain” store is introduced to a local
community it isn’t quite as simple as that. Ultimately the Spar is still run by
people that care about the community of Chelsea Road.
Furthermore, ignoring the topic, I believe the film will document what the
community is like around Chelsea Road and how much the residents care
about it. This is important as strong communities are a part of British life that
are slowly being lost.
