Two sides of the same postcode

Graffiti-tagged shutters and ‘for lease’ signs are a sadly familiar sight among the greasy spoons and discount stores of East Street.

Times are certainly changing for this corner of Bedminster, but no one seems quite sure exactly how, as business owners anxiously wait to see the impact of a flurry of new development.

Darren Jones says his business has had to adapt to changing times

“There have been a lot of changes. Footfall especially has got worse,” says Darren Jones, who has owned and run East Street Fruit Market for 26 years.

“A lot of the factories have shut down around the area and supermarkets have just got stronger. The average household has to go to work now, so they don’t have so much time to shop around.

“A lot of the big companies are leaving the area. It is worrying times. We have changed our trade with the times so we do a lot of deliveries now. We go to them, rather than them coming to us.”

Kate Smith hopes to pave the way for more businesses on East Street

Kate Smith and her partner John Cassettari opened The Toast Room in July 2017, in a former greasy cafe premises that had stood empty for months.

“I have always had a soft spot for this particular area and we wanted to open here and pave the way for other businesses because there are so many empty units on the street,” she says.

“There are so many projects that will change the face of Bedminster, but it will take a few years. There are many units up for sale or rent, so we have no idea what change they will bring.”

Further down the street, under the glare of the green Asda sign, not everyone is seeking change.

“We’ve been here for more than 16 years and in all that time, people have always said that Bedminster is up and coming, but now it does feel like it’s sort of spreading down here from North Street,” says John Taylor, who works at BS3 Carpets.

“I’m one of those people who don’t want it to come here. A lot of our customers are from Knowle West and they come down on the bus and if it’s all posh coffee shops and restaurants instead of shops, they won’t come.

“It’s this whole thing about being displaced – rents are going up here and if everywhere’s the same it gets boring.”

Times are changing in East Street, but it’s uncertain exactly how

George Grace of Bedminster Business Improvement District (BID) does not want East Street to replicate the more gentrified North Street, but says the public realm does need to be improved to attract more footfall and boost trade.

Businesses in the area have just cast their votes again on whether or not to maintain the BID after Asda dealt a killer blow, withdrawing its support. George is confident the majority of traders want the project, tasked with supporting and promoting the area, to continue.

He says that since its inception, the number of empty units has reduced by 34 per cent and much work has gone into improving the area for all.

The stretch between the Spotted Cow and the Steam Crane pubs is perhaps where the change is most noticeable. Once a largely-forgotten thoroughfare, it is now a thriving neighbourhood with a growing selection of shops, bars and eateries.

Emma Williams believes businesses on North Street offer something a bit unique

Here, Emma Williams will soon be offering upholstering workshops and more at Creative Space opposite the Urban Standard.

She says that the area has certainly had a change in fortune and believes it is because the businesses tend to offer something a bit different and are meeting evolving customer wants.

“I wanted to start something that could compete with the internet,” she says, of her new venture. “Everyone wants to live in an area with thriving high street, but unless they actually spend money, it won’t survive.”

Over at the far end of North Street, the majestic red brick Tobacco Factory epitomises the changing demographic of the area.

The building’s owner, architect and former mayor George Ferguson says that when he bought to save the property from demolition 25 years ago, he had hoped to spark some social and cultural regeneration in what was a “depressed area”, but the results have far exceeded his expectations.

“North Street has become one of the most interesting independent led high streets in the UK and not too posh but catering for all types and tastes,” says Ferguson.

“At a time when the high street is under threat with the growth of internet shopping and other pressures it is encouraging to find that the independents are proving to be more resilient than many of the chains.”

Aidan Brockel says North Street is continually changing

Aidan Brockel, the manager of Southville Deli, which opened on North Street in 2001, agrees that trade is going well, but says it is essential as a business to keep adapting to meet changing customer trends.

“I think things have continued to change around the area since the shop opened,” he says.

“A lot more food places have opened up over time. I think it’s all been generally positive. Even though some things have crossed over with our business, it’s brought so much more custom. It’s difficult to say how the high street is faring overall, but business feels good.”

Derek Knapman has seen dramatic changes over the decades

But Derek Knapman, owner of Lion Stores, the ironmongers, which has served the area for more than 180 years, says it is also down to people to support their local high street if they want it to continue.

“I have seen dramatic changes here,” he says.  “It’s become more gentrified and it’s much softer now than it was in the 80s and 90s. Which is for the better generally.

“We used to have the cigarette factory in full swing, whereas it’s much more middle class now. But it all adds to the mix – people have got all that free time to drink coffee now.

“In terms of business, it’s been all over the place since we’ve been here – we’ve been through three recessions. A lot of those people don’t realise if they want to have shops on their doorsteps, they have to support them.”

He added that it’s nice to see the newly-opened milkshake bar, Shake Express, open opposite as it offers something for younger people.

‘North Street has become one of the most interesting independent led high streets in the UK’ – George Ferguson

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