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Bristol road named among best in UK for independent shopping
It is an oft-repeated but sadly untrue fact that Gloucester Road is the longest stretch of independent shops in Europe.
That may not be entirely correct any longer but Gloucester Road remains a haven of independence which has been recognised in some new research.
The street is included within the UK’s top-ten “hotspots for independent shops” in a new study by American Express.
is needed now More than ever
Bristol24/7 magazine recently celebrated Gloucester Road on the front cover of our magazine – photo: James Koch
The study in partnership with retail experts GlobalData American Express used factors such as the number of independent outlets, variety of business types, and the number of Gen Z and Millennial independent business owners.
Here is the top-ten:
- St Mary’s Street, Stamford, Lincolnshire
- Devonshire Street / Division Street, Sheffield, Yorkshire
- Gloucester Road, Bristol
- Market Street / Bridge Gate, Hebden Bridge, Yorkshire
- Stoke Newington Church Street, Hackney, London
- High Street, Narberth, Pembrokeshire
- Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester
- Bailgate, Lincoln, Lincolnshire
- Byres Road, Glasgow
- The Lanes, Norwich, Norfolk
Look out for a stencil of Cary Grant by Stewy on the side of Room 212 on Gloucester Road – photo: Martin Booth
Sarah Thorp has owned Room 212 on Gloucester Road for 12 years, with the Glos Rd Central Christmas Street Party taking place on December 5 from 5.30pm to 8pm.
Sarah said this is “a great example of a Gloucester Road community event” with businesses in the section of the road at the top of Pigsty Hill staying open late and a variety of special events taking place.
“I love being on the Gloucester Road,” Sarah told Bristol24/7. “All our artists live really close and many take part in the North Bristol Art Trail so we all feel part of the Gloucester Road community.
“We make sure prices are kept as reasonable as possible and that all requests, no matter how quirky, are met if possible.
“Every day I open up knowing I’ll meet interesting people and have great chats. Customers have been coming for years, yet new people are still discovering us, chiding us for having too much choice!”
Sarah added: “Gloucester Road is such a unique place. Businesses come and go but traders feel a real sense of community spirit and a commitment to their customers.”
The second Bristol Cheesemonger shop recently opened on Gloucester Road – photo: Martin Booth
Among the newer arrivals to Gloucester Road is the Bristol Cheesemonger, who have opened their second shop after the success of their first in Wapping Wharf.
Co-owner Jenny Howell said: “We’ve loved how fiercely proud locals are of their local food community.
“Whether it is someone popping their head in to call us legends, or asking us to make a pairing for a bag of crisps, or a watermelon sweet, the warmth, support and enthusiasm has been overwhelmingly lovely.”
Gloucester Road Books is a shop on Gloucester Road that sells books – photo: Martin Booth
Small Business Saturday director, Michelle Ovens, said: “The nation’s 5.5m small businesses bring incredible value to the UK’s economy, society and communities, and this research underlines the material impact they have in boosting local areas.
“On Small Business Saturday, and beyond, we are asking the nation to throw their arms around their favourite local small businesses and show them how much they mean to us all and the wider community.
“Public support is so vital for small businesses, particularly for the next generation of owners.”
Main photo: Seun Matiluko
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