Located on Bedminster's viciously vibrant East Street in the heart of Bristol, Asda Superstore dwarfs the surrounding charity chops and assorted traders. Not only in size, but with the legacy of life within.
Bedminster Asda provides me with everything I require to function on a daily basis: food, clothing, medical supplies. It might not be as glamorous as swanky threads or a car showroom, but it services all the core necessities of modern living in an affordable manner, a commendable feat often unappreciated.
It's influence is a big part of my life – most meals are made from food I got there. Sure, it's just a supermarket, part of a global chain of branded stores selling a selection of consumer products to the general public, but it's the cross section of Bedminster Asda's customers that breathes life beyond the lime green uniforms and reduced meat aisle.
Look closer, read the stories unfolding. A family of four standing in the deli pizza queue; Saturday night awaits. A group of freshers studiously debate their alcohol choices, the success or failure of that first big party hanging in the balance.
Tragedy awaits the toddler pointing out the chicken nuggets to his mother in the in-store McDonald's. Worse still awaits the bedraggled homeless man, rugby tackled to the floor by security, special brew evidence rolling out of his crumpled attire.
There is drama everywhere.
This human zoo throws up plenty of unique characters to help spice things up when you're deciding which cereal to buy. One particular resident wonders about designating Hollywood doubles to anyone she spots in clear line of sight - “Julianne Moore” was the verdict bestowed upon one pleased shopper.
“Peter Andre's number one fan” can often be seen, proudly sporting a t shirt boosting her claim, front of the line, no doubt, when Andre made a promotional appearance in the store in 2009.
Single mums may go to Iceland, but they should go to Bedminster Asda. It's this kind of mythology, built from a million shared stories that allows Bedminster Asda to transcend from local supermarket to a focal point, the sun around which all local lives revolve and intertwine.
Still not sold? Two words: copious parking.
See you there.
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