Shops / Park Street

Shop to close after 116 years in Bristol

By Martin Booth  Wednesday May 1, 2024

A shop that opened its doors for the first time in 1908 is closing at the end of May.

Generations of Bristolians have shopped at the Bristol Guild, with people across the city reacting with sadness to the news of its imminent closure.

The labyrinthine shop spread across four floors is like nowhere else and will leave an irreplaceable gap on Park Street.

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“What a sad day for Bristol,” Freida Murray wrote on the Guild’s Facebook page.

“I am so sorry but must thank all who tried hard to keep it going. I have many objects around the house to remind me of that wonderful shop.

“The first was a hobby horse bought for my son. Now sixty years on my great grand daughter plays with it!

“I went on to work in The Guild myself and made several life long friends. We called ourselves the Guilded Lilies. Times have changed and folk no longer ‘go shopping’. It’s sad.”

Sophie WJ wrote: “Oh no! The Guild is uniquely Bristolian. What a huge shame.”

Genevra Legg added: “Oh no! It can’t be true. My favourite shop since I was little. Such an iconic loss for Bristol.”

Main photo: Bristol Guild

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