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Companies baffled as Bristol space ranked second-worst excessive avenue

Former Gaumont cinema

There was more than a touch of surprise on the faces of several traders on Baldwin Street when they were briefed on the area’s rankings in a recent report.

London-based retail consultancy Harper Dennis Hobbs analyzed 1,000 shopping streets in an index of the UK’s “healthiest” shopping districts – and only Girvan, a Scottish coastal town, was lower than Baldwin Street in Bristol city center.

The list, published last month by inews, ranked destinations according to “vitality”. One factor that was taken into account was the proportion of bars. The more bars there are on a main street, the worse the effects of the coronavirus, the consulting firm argues.

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With that in mind, Baldwin Street’s low placement may be more understandable as it is relatively dependent on nightlife. The report was also based on factors such as vacancy, the proportion of “inferior” businesses such as pawnbrokers and suitability for local customers. And in that regard, the position seems more difficult to justify.

The Baldwin Street workers we interviewed did not underestimate the toll of Covid, but they also spoke of the hustle and bustle of the street as restrictions were eased. They pointed out a number of advantages of the location as well as a warm community spirit among the dealers.

The street’s history isn’t one of the long-dormant, peeling shop fronts or the dominance of bookmakers and charities. There are empty units, but in many cases no long-term inactivity due to recent development or transition.

The former Gaumont cinema

Most of Baldwin Street was built in the 1880s and has some great architecture. The former home of the Gaumont Cinema and Creation Nightclub is particularly striking.

The upper floors have just been converted into 92 apartments that will receive students in September, but the gleaming white facade with its flourishes and flute-playing putti still has a lot of charm. The ground floor has recently been rented out for a restaurant or café.

There are a few chains, including Tesco Express, O’Neill’s Bar, Domino’s Imbiss, Creams Dessertsalon, and Pret Sandwich Shop. But there are also independent stores like Five Grains Café, Baldwin Barbers, and Gaudi Hair. Some sit at the foot of impressive buildings with intricate balustrades and stone carvings.

Sam Simpson outside of Oowee, Baldwin Street

Sam Simpson outside of Oowee

We enter the vegan burger joint Oowee. Founded five years ago in Bedminster, it was a huge success and grew to three branches across Bristol, with others in London and Brighton.

“I saw that,” says General Manager Sam Simpson when asked about the ranking. He questions how the consulting firm’s algorithm really reflects Baldwin Street.

“I think if the empty units qualified the street for this ranking, that has changed recently,” adds the 28-year-old.

Sam says there has been “a lot of development”, though not always for retail. He heard that Thornton’s travel agent store – which closed last September – is being taken over by St. Stephen’s Church.

One of the latest developments is the office space in the curved seven-story Pivot and Mark building. Since the street is partly dependent on office workers, the traders hope that the square will soon be filled.

And a notice on the window front of another seven-story property, 28 Baldwin Street, shows a building application for alcohol sales on the first floor. The building also advertises leisure, shopping and office space.

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Sam, who has been with Oowee for three years, admits that Baldwin Street could suffer when compared to Stokes Croft or North Street, but adds, “There are definitely worse streets in Bristol that are less traveled and not as busy Location.”

Located at the gates of Castle Park, Queen Square and The Center, Sam says Baldwin Street “can be seen as a kind of connecting street that didn’t get that much attention – but I love it here.”

Sam believes the road closure to general traffic was positive last year. For Oowee, he says it made bike deliveries a lot easier.

When asked about his favorite places to eat on Baldwin Street, he said, “I like going to the Old Fish Market [pub]who’s been here for at least 12 or 13 years. We know the guys at Brewdog very well. This has become my point of contact. ”

Baldwin Street also benefits from some great streets nearby, like Mother’s Ruin and Mr. Wolf’s, Sam adds.

Construction at Alliance House, Baldwin Street

Construction work in the Alliance House

At the other end of Baldwin Street from Oowee is Alliance House, a five-story Victorian building. The upper floors will be converted into 44 apartments, while the ground floor will be retained as commercial space. A friendly client tells us that more than half of the houses have already been sold.

With scaffolding and a steel pedestrian barrier covering much of the site, the only shop open to trade during our visit there is the Bella Italia restaurant. The London Camera Exchange branch is permanently closed, as is the Center Cafe Lounge, and another empty unit is available for rent.

Hamid Parast spoke in a Bristol Live interview this week about his decision to close the Center Cafe Lounge in February after roughly five years. He called the scaffolding the “last straw”, but also referred to the coronavirus and the restriction of general traffic.

He said traffic regulations prevented his supplier from delivering and workers stopped going to their offices. It was “an utter disaster,” he said, as the store was making about £ 50 a day before it closed.

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But the staff at Five Grains, a Lebanese street food café, are more optimistic. They agree that the office worker trade was minimal earlier in the year, but lately more has been added some days a week.

“Since the restrictions were eased a bit, we’ve definitely been busier,” says 28-year-old Mariana behind the counter at Five Grains. “Many new customers have come.”

The cafe is one of the shops that gives Baldwin Street an independent spirit. It offers some imaginative juice mixes – one with apple, celery, cucumber, spinach, mint, lime and ginger – and the “typical” Lebanese dish, Manoushe, a batter that is baked with wild thyme and sumac.

Five grains

Inside Five Grains

Mariana, who has been with Five Grains since last summer, says: “We’re friends with the other companies. The people at Chilli Daddy’s [a takeaway] are really friendly. You came here to try and introduce yourself some of our items. ”

As the restrictions eased, traders have become busier and fewer opportunities to socialize, but Mariana says the street remains “like a small community”.

Five Grains is getting a varied mix of customers, says Mariana, adding: “Our price range is a little different from chains, but when people discover the quality of the items, they love to come back.”

She thinks the general traffic ban worked well.

“I notice that the e-scooters are lying around here a lot,” she says. “Sometimes passers-by see us and come in.”

Tables outside Brewdog are arranged by Mitch, a 27-year-old bartender who is also in favor of the ban. He believes the lack of cars has made it more convenient for customers to sit outside with a drink.

In response to the ranking, Mitch says, “I don’t think it’s that bad. I always like to think of it as the most important places to go – Baldwin Street and King Street.”

He believes Brewdog benefits from its location as it is one of the first pubs people see when walking downtown from Temple Meads Station.

Mitch adds, “You don’t really get a lot of crazy customers. People are willing to pay £ 5.63 for a pint here. You come here for the atmosphere and the experience. Bristol competes with the London prices [for a pint], it’s going to be such a big city. ”

Pennants on Birkett Tap

Pennants in the Birkett Tap

In the sports bar Birkett Tap there is a colorful flood of flags with the flags of each country from this year’s European Football Championship, including a few dozen St. George’s crosses.

Vhaire Gudgeon, 19, has been working there for about a month. The University of Bristol student says the atmosphere in the bar has picked up, especially for the euro.

“The game against England was very busy,” she said. “I haven’t felt this energy since before Covid. It was actually quite nice. I was on a hiatus when England scored and I didn’t even have to look at my cell phone – you could tell by the roar that they’d scored. ”

When asked to describe a typical customer, Vhaire replied: “They are usually friendly footballers, mostly between the ages of 25 and 30. We also get students and lots of girls for bottomless brunches.”

Vhaire Gudgeon and colleagues at Birkett Tap

Vhaire Gudgeon and colleagues at the Birkett Tap

In addition to working on Baldwin Street, Vhaire has been a resident of the street for about a year.

“I definitely wouldn’t rate it as one of the worst highways – I’ve lived on some terrible streets,” she laughs. “I’m not sure how you put this list together.”

The student enjoys the architecture as well as visiting Oowee, Chilli Daddy’s and the “really nice” florist Roots.

Thousands of protesters have marched through Baldwin Street in recent months, from kill the bill demonstrations against the proposed police and crime law to pro-Palestinian events.

“It feels pretty busy because all the protests are getting through,” says Vhaire. “Some people might say it’s a nuisance, but you really feel connected to the city.

“Lots of people come here to get from Castle Park to Harborside. You really feel like you’re in Bristol.”

What do you think of the Baldwin Street ranking? Let us know in the comments below.

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