Features / totterdown
The astonishing secrets behind a well-known Totterdown building
A large fiberglass model of Raisa Gorbacheva, wife of the former Soviet leader Mikhail, is currently sitting on the roof of one of Totterdown’s most prominent buildings.
From this roof during the Second World War, secret radio transmissions were made from a reinforced bomb-proof room below; which in later life was the kitchen of a tralblazing Bristol restaurant.
Built in the late 1860s, 1 William Street was originally a pub called the King William. After its wartime role, it was an upholstery factory before becoming Glasnost (named Bristol restaurant of the year by Venue magazine in 2000) and most recently the Thali.
is needed now More than ever
Raisa Gorbacheva used to sit above the entrance to 1 William Street since it was Glasnost restaurant
The building’s bomb proof cellars housed radio and radar communications during World War Two
Vacant since Thali closed its doors in March, owner Pete Croft has high hopes for the next chapter of the building’s colourful history.
He has already removed the render and restored the original Bath stone features, aiming to restore the outside to what it would have looked like when first built.
Renewable technology is currently being installed to heat the building’s water and solar panels will be placed on the roof.
Croft, who lives in nearby Windmill Hill, hopes that whatever business or businesses take over the premises, Raisa Gorbacheva will be able to return; and promises that while he remains as its owner, the building will not be turned into flats.
The original Bath Stone features have been restored
The building originally opened as a pub
“I want to encourage something here that becomes a destination like the Glasnost,” Croft said during a recent tour of the building.
Ideas for the future of the site came thick and fast as Croft showed Bristol24/7 around, from the basement that once upon a time could have been a skittles alley to the upstairs dining room where Glasnost diners once enjoyed kangaroo steak.
“I would like the local community to talk about this place again. It might be too big for a restaurant? Totterdown’s arts trail is famous but Totterdown does not have a dedicated arts venue.
“But it will be up to somebody else to come up with all these ideas. The building has got so much presence. It’ll never be turned into flats. And it has Gorbachev’s wife on the roof!”
To find out more about the building, email Pete Croft on williamstreetbristol@gmail.com
This joist used to allow huge radios to be lifted into the building
Read more: Temporary blue plaques remember past residents of Totterdown
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