Football club switch supermarkets

The stadium could expand to take 40,000 for international games

Bristol City FC have been negotiating with supermarket giant Sainsbury's as a potential buyer for their current Ashton Gate ground.

The football club had planned to sell the ground to Tesco, to help fund a new stadium at Ashton Vale.

But the BBC understands a deal with Sainsbury's is now more likely.

The club has made it no secret that a new 30,000 seat, £90m stadium project is dependent on selling its current site to a retailer.

And the stadium plan would also bring the possibility of World Cup football to the city, should England's 2018 bid succeed.

The plan to sell Ashton Gate to Tesco led to angry street demonstrations and organised local opposition.

Under the new scheme, a Sainsbury's in nearby Winterstoke Road would be closed and a new superstore opened at Ashton Gate.

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