Shops / News

Vintage shop repossessed ahead of hotel site redevelopment

By Martin Booth  Monday Feb 26, 2024

Two signs stuck to the shuttered windows of Loot overlooking the Bearpit tell their own story.

One, dated February 5, is a “notice of forefeiture by peaceable re-entry” signed on behalf of landlords Premier Inn Hotels, informing the owners of Loot that the locks of the shop on Haymarket Walk have been changed.

The other sign dated February 21 is from bailiffs Clearway writing to Loot on behalf of Premier Inn letting them know that the remaining goods within the shop have been removed.

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The Premier Inn tower was once the headquarters of Avon County Council – photo: Martin Booth

It comes as plans are being made to demolish the 1970s tower looming above Haymarket Walk containing the Premier Inn hotel and replace it with two blocks of flats, one of which at 28-storeys could become one of Bristol’s tallest buildings.

In a farewell message on Instagram, the Loot team said that their time on Haymarket Walk has been “a momentous part of our lives”.

 

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A post shared by Vintage Clothing (@lootvintage_)

Loot’s statement on Instagram said: “For those that don’t know, we have been evicted due to student accommodation being built on our spot.

“Everything comes to an end but we would like to say to all the wonderful customers, staff and friends we have made over the last decade at the Bearpit, a massive thank you for the amazing energy given and love and support to keep a small business moving and grooving in Bristol city centre.

“We’ve created some hilarious memories and even some love stories crept out of here and we will never forget any of them!

“Moving to Bristol and opening this store has been and is a momentous part of our lives and on behalf of me and my hubby, thank you Bristol❤️And to all that became a part of the Bearpit family over the years.

“We have a lot of love for you and hope we can continue that love from Park Street.”

Haymarket Walk once contained some of Bristol’s most interesting shops – photo: Martin Booth

It appears that with the departure of Loot and plans for the new development, the days could soon be numbered for the remaining businesses in Haymarket Walk.

The two levels once contained some of the most interesting shops in Bristol including record shops Replay and Virgin.

Businesses remaining here include restaurants Mayflower and Sky Kong Kong.

Olympian Homes have submitted a planning application to Bristol City Council for the St James’ Square development which will include the demolition and redevelopment of the site into a 132 unit, 18-storey “co-living” tower and a 442 unit, 28-storey purpose-built student accommodation tower – image: Olympian Homes

Main photo: Martin Booth

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