Shops / Shop of the Week
Shop of the Week: Bristol Blue Glass, Brislington
Stroll into Bristol Blue Glass and you will be welcomed by the lovely smell of molten glass and a friendly team ready to help.
Staff members Beci and Sonya greeted me with a smile when I entered the shop on Bath Road and were more than happy to share the history of the business.
Bristol Blue Glass, opened by James Adlington in 1988, sells a variety of glassware that is blown onsite, specialising of course in Bristol’s famed blue glass.
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Beci explained: “Bristol blue glass had been made since the 1700s but it had stopped being made. I think it was in the early 1900s, through the recession. We wanted to bring the heritage back to Bristol.”
Bristol Blue Glass’ storefront looked beautiful, from delicate jewellery to Christmas baubles in the window that captured the sunlight.
The fact that everything is made onsite means each piece is slightly different and one-of-a-kind.
Memorial glass is also on offer for which cremated ashes are added to coloured glass to create a unique tribute to people’s loved ones. This service has became more popular recently, Beci said, especially for people who want to memorialise pets.
An array of blue glass objects are arranged in the shop’s shelves – photo: Stella Rogers
The shop offers glass blowing experiences for customers to try their hand at mastering the craft themselves.
Beci told me that for the first time since 2020, the experience is fully booked for the festive period. Evidently, business is going well.
She added: “Considering we’re outside of the city centre as well, it is a really busy hub here.”
In January, the store will offer glass blowing experiences where customers will be able to make their own custom glassware like vases and animal trinkets.
Glassblowers at work in Bristol Blue Glass – photo: Stella Rogers
Beci took me to where the glassblowers create their works, with anyone able to watch them showcase this ancient skill.
Within the business, there are family ties. James Arlington’s wife, Suzanne, is a company director and their son, Alex, used to work at the shop as a glassblower.
The process of becoming a glassblower is lengthy, with training spanning eight to ten years.
Despite this, Bristol Blue Glass is determined to sustain the practice of glassblowing, taking on apprentices to learn the trade.
Glass Christmas baubles were hanging in the shop, reminding everyone about Christmas – photo: Stella Rogers
Head glassblower, David, said: “Glassmaking in Britain when this company started was really dying out.
“The art of making free-blown handmade stemware, where there’s no moulds or formers used at all, there was only one person left in the country who could do it.
“The idea was to keep the skills alive. So it’s become more of a school of glassmaking over the years. We’ve taught glassmakers who have gone worldwide.”
Bristol Blue Glass is on Bath Road opposite Arnos Vale Cemetery – photo: Stella Rogers
Bristol Blue Glass, 357-359 Bath Road, Brislington, Bristol, BS4 3EW
www.bristol-glass.co.uk
Main photo: Stella Rogers
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