Ward profiles 2021: St George Central – ‘It’s friendly but we’ve lost a lot of small shops’

Brenda remembers when her home on Bell Hill Road was surrounded by small, local shops that often acted as meeting places for the community.

“It was a good place to be. Everyone knew you and everyone was friendly,” she reminisces.

Brenda was born and brought up in the house she now shares with her husband and has seen St George change over the years. She believes the increased traffic on the road stretching between Church Road and Kingswood has had an impact on the community.

“You could just cross over and people used to come out on their gates in the evening and chat,” says the long-term resident. “We used to have every shop you could think of and when the butchers was over the road, it was more of a meeting place than a shop. It’s different now but it’s still friendly and you have to adjust.”

Two Mile Hill Road is due to get funding as part of a project to revive high streets

Further up, Two Mile Hill Road is one of nine high streets in Bristol to be prioritised for a share of a £4.7m pot earmarked to help spearhead regeneration and enable businesses to build back in the wake of the pandemic.

At a time when the value of local shops and businesses are being realised, the money will be used to “improve the look and feel” of high streets, increase footfall and reduce the number of vacant premises by providing financial support to open new businesses, which might include hospitality venues or creative spaces.

Gemma Veale (far right) says the family-run Bakers Corner is a traditional bakery

Bakers Corner is one of the areas longest-running businesses, having been going in its current premises for around 40 years and in the family for at least 75 years.

Gemma Veale is busy in the bakery on Tuesday morning. Her granddad, Roger, owns the business and is still very much involved in the family enterprise.

“We’re all about traditional here,” says Gemma, whose family also runs a second bakery in Kingswood.

She also acknowledges the changes the area has seen over the years, saying a lot of the small independent shops have closed down. “Still got a lot of loyal customers and regulars,” adds Gemma. “And we’ve seen more new customers over lockdown as people shop more locally.”

Down the hill, a big banner on the side of the church on the corner advertises Scout sessions – a sign things are slowly starting to return to normal as lockdown restrictions ease. On Kingsway, there is the faint scent of fresh paint on the railings outside Two Mile Hill Primary School.

Encompassing Bell Hill Road, Air Balloon Road, Two Mile Hill Road, Meadow Vale Park and Rodney Road Playing Fields, St George Central is largely residential, with a mix of old terraced cottages, 1970s housing and new homes.

World War Two bunkers were unearthed under the playground of Air Balloon Hill Primary School

Two Mile Hill and Air Balloon Primary Schools have both been at the heart of the community for generations – last year it was revealed World War Two bunkers had been unearthed beneath the playgrounds of both when council money was assigned to make them safe.

In Bristol City Council’s Quality of Life Survey, residents highlighted a lack of leisure and community facilities, with only 33 per cent saying they were satisfied with the facilities available – compared to a citywide average of 47 per cent.

It is hoped plans that have been a long time in the making to extend the current Meadow Vale Community Centre to include a new sports and multi-use hall might help address this.

Meadow Vale Community Centre is due to be extended

A fundraiser for the project states: “It’s a fantastic community but we have a real shortage of community spaces. For the last two years, we’ve been fundraising for this extension and we are nearly there. We have enough for the building but are asking the St George Community to support us to create the community garden.”

There is a strong community voice across the neighbourhood working to improve things for residents, with talk of campaigning for a new play park built in Rodney Road Playing Fields to provide more for young people in the area.

Kwik Save on Two Mile Hill Road was taken on by new owners in November

Back on Two Mile Hill Road, Alex Naumowicz is busy behind the counter of Kwik Save on the corner, a shop she took on in November. She says it has been fairly quiet over lockdown but is starting to pick up now.

“I think people feel more comfortable to go out and shop now,” Alex tells Bristol24/7. “It’s a friendly area and we get along with other businesses and have regulars who come in.

“Traffic can be heavy outside though, especially around school start and finish times.”

Many residents would like a play park at Rodney Road Playing Fields

St George Central is currently represented by Labour councillors Nicola Beech, who is also a cabinet member for planning, and Steve Pearce, both of whom are running for reelection.

They will be up against Chris Featonby and Tina Kaulbach for the Liberal Democrats, Anthony Lee and Laura Saunders for the Conservative Party and Green candidates Georgia Nelson and Patrick Toland.

Important message for drivers

All photos by Ellie Pipe

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