OUR VALENTINE’S CARD TO THE CITY ISSUE 224 / FEBRUARY 2017 / £3
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A LOVE AFFAIR WITH THE CITY
PL AY TI M E : T H E MA K
LISTEN U
P T O YO U R L O C
E M E U P B E F O R E YOU G LO RO
AL D J: I T’ S O NLY SAM ’ S KAM
AK
ISSUE 224 / FEBRUARY 2017 / LOOKING OUT FOR LOVE
TO
IN
N K YA R D
BET W EE
E R S : I BT RE TURNS TO THE CITY
G O F JU
THE I N
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TO GIVE G I F T S YO U’LL LOVE V DAY
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EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 224 / FEBRUARY 2017
Love in a cold climate OK, Valentine’s Day: discuss. Is it (a) a cynical exploitation of the anniversary of a minor saint, contrived to boost sluggish sales after Christmas? Or (b) a welcome excuse to cheer us up at the darkest, coldest time of the year? Well, both, probably. Let’s just say that there’d better be a floral tribute on my desk on 14 February, or there’ll be trouble. But hang on; maybe there’s a (c) option, too. Given the year that it’s in, and hopefully without sounding too worthy and sanctimonious, we thought that for this Valentine issue we’d celebrate a bigger kind of love – the sort of love Bristol excels at. The little acts of kindness, the silly events staged just to put a smile on our faces, the free stuff, the daft stuff, that makes living here such a joy. And sure, there’s a V Day gift guide, because everyone likes those, and a few other nods to romance in this issue; along with all the other regular features that offer living proof every month that we live and work in the very best city in the UK. Big love, Bristol. X
21
HEART OF THE CITY This year, to save us from tears, we’re giving our heart to somewhere special
Deri Robins, editor Twitter @BristolLifeMag Instagram:@bristollifemag
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EDITOR’S LETTER / ISSUE 224 / FEBRUARY 2017
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IN THE ZONE
34
What’s on?
It’s rapidly becoming the professional hub of the city – so what’s going down at Bristol’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone?
The 2017 events calendar is really getting into its stride
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REGULARS / ISSUE 224 / FEBRUARY 2017
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THE ARTS 33 Arts Intro Got 50 minutes to spare? Love theatre? You’re welcome
40 Festival It only comes once every two years; so make the most of In Between Time
46 Theatre Doin’ it for the kids
SHOPPING 49 Shopping Intro
M EET T H E T EAM Editor Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Graphic design Megan Allison Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors: Seb Barrett, Kyle Traynor Advertising manager Steve Grigg steve.grigg@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager Emma Stroud emma.stroud@mediaclash.co.uk Account manager James Morgan james.morgan@mediaclash.co.uk Commercial director Steve Hawkins steve.hawkins@mediaclash.co.uk Production and distribution manager Sarah Kingston sarah.kingston@mediaclash.co.uk Deputy production manager Christina West christina.west@mediaclash.co.uk Production designer Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk
Distressing scenes alert
50 Editor’s Choice Here’s your V Day selection, you hopeless romantics, you
55 Street life
Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk
What’s Gloing on?
EATING Bristol Life, MediaClash, Circus Mews House, Circus Mews, Bath BA1 2PW 01225 475800 www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash
62 Restaurants Baz is unleashed on a Redland gastropub. What could possibly go wrong?
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64 Food & Drink What’s cooking, who’s cooking it, and where?
A MAN’S WORLD
BUSINESS
DEPARTMENTS
Enough with the Gunberbatching already
75 Business Insider
15 Spotlight 106 Bristol Lives
SPORT
PROPERT Y
71 Kyle Traynor
92 Property Showcase
Life after rugby
Back to Lakeshore
69 Seb Barrett
Funds for Trinity
FAMILY LIFE
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VALENTINE GOALS
ISN’T IT ICONIC? Here’s an adorable little story from our friends over at Clifton Fine Art. Customer Matt knew that his girlfriend Katie was a fan of painter Tom White; so when Matt decided to make his girl an offer she couldn’t refuse, he asked Tom if he could insert a marriage proposal as bespoke graffiti in one of his paintings. They chose a piece named Iconic; Katie said ‘yes’. The gallery reckons that this is an idea that could catch on. Let’s just say that we’ll be leaving this page open in a very prominent position around the house. Just putting it out there. For more: www.cliftonfineart.com
ART & SCIENCE
A BUG’S LIFE
Who knew that Adenovirus was so damn pretty?
Luke Jerram describes himself as, “an installation artist who fuses artistic sculptural practice with scientific and perceptual studies.” This being the case, we’re never entirely sure what box to put him in, so we don’t try. We can reveal, though, that At-Bristol are housing Luke’s astonishing Glass Microbiology installations – in which he renders a series of hugely blown-up viruses as glass installations – in The Box, between 4 February-10 September. Luke’s known for his collaborative work, and the glass sculptures were created along with virologists from the University of
Bristol using a combination of scientific photographs and models. They were then made in collaboration with glassblowers Brian Jones and Norman Veitch. Living in Bristol, but working internationally, Luke has created several multi-disciplinary installations and live art projects for the city, from the Park and Slide on Park Street to the Play Me, I’m Yours street pianos, the Sky Orchestra, and that disconcerting little digital girl on a Temple Meads platform. His ideas are copied all round the world, but we usually get them first, so be proud. For more: www.at-bristol.org.uk
ANIMATION
GAME OF STONES
ART & MUSIC
SWEET MEMORY
So many favourites in one news piece! Bristol-born Game of Thrones star Maisie Williams (hooray!) co-stars with Tom Eddie Redmayne (OK, not from Bristol, but still, hooray!) in the new Aardman (whoop!) animation Early Man. Maisie’s rebellious Stone Age heroine Goona is described as an ‘indomitable rebel’ – hardly a push for a girl who’s played Arya Stark for the past six years. Goona befriends Eddie Redmayne’s Dug, and helps steer him through the clash of the Stone Age and Bronze Age civilisations. Also lending his voice to the movie is Tom Hiddleston as tyrant Lord Nooth (booo).
Nick Park of Aardman Animations is pleased with the casting. “Maisie’s a terrific actress, and she is of course no stranger to embodying a valiant heroine. I’m most excited to see her breathe life into Goona.” And like any good Bristol girl, Maisie says she’s “a huge Aardman fan – having the chance to work with Nick Park is a dream come true. I can’t wait for audiences to meet Goona.” You’ll have to be nearly as patient as a George RR Martin fan, though; Early Man is out in UK cinemas on 26 January 2018. www.aardman.com Eddie! Maisie! Nickie!
A two-storey mural designed as a permanent memorial to Derek SerpellMorris, Bristol’s DJ Derek, has been completed on Richmond Avenue – not far from the Star & Garter where Derek began his DJ career. The above instagram was posted by artist Shaun Sepr. “Finishing off the DJ Derek memorial wall with the crew. An honour to paint such an iconic and loved Bristolian legend,” Sepr wrote. Derek, a legend on the local club circuit, went missing in July 2015; his body was found near Cribbs Causeway in March last year. Hundreds of people attended his funeral in St Pauls and donated cash for the mural; so much money was offered to the Sweet Memory Sounds charity, set up to support his legacy, that some of the excess has been donated to the Trinity Community Arts project.
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GREAT NE WEBSW ITE!
HEART OF THE CITY
BIG LOVE
Hold the red roses. Cancel the couple’s massage. Stuff the chocolates: here’s our Valentine’s Day card to one amazing city
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By DE R I ROBI NS www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 21
HEART OF THE CITY
O
h look, it’s the Valentine’s Day feature! No, please don’t flick past. This isn’t one of those ‘where to take bae for a romantic date’ numbers. This year, we’re celebrating a bigger kind of love – a very Bristol love. Given the year that’s just been and the general feeling of a world in turmoil, we wanted to celebrate the everyday acts of kindness, fun and creativity that Bristol excels at. The people and organisations whose sole objective is to make the city a happier place, and the everyday, generous acts that led to Bristol being voted the most kindhearted city in the UK last year. It seems that Bristol is incredibly adept at feelgood, love-thy-neighbour community events and happenings – stuff that could easily come across as joylessly earnest and worthy, but which, in this city, translates into creativity, playfulness and fun, from giant water fights to community gardening to fairy doors (bear with us here). So sure, take Beloved to Casamia or The Ox on 14 February. Buy them a little gift; in mid-February, we all need all the treats we can justify. But without wishing to sound preachy or sanctimonious, how about spreading the love a bit more widely? You know what they say – you only get what you give. Let’s kick off by looking at a few inspiring local projects (with thanks to Jess Cook for the first bit of this feature).
WINDOW WANDERLAND
Window Wanderland now happens all over the country, but it began in Bristol, and it’s back to light up the dark evenings this month. If you haven’t come across this charming initiative before, here’s how it works; on an allocated week, all the houses in your area are invited to decorate their front windows for the benefit of passers-by; basically, turning your home into a mini art gallery. Not only does this help to connect people with their neighbours, it prompts creativity and brings families together to work on their windows. Which area does the best windows? We couldn’t possibly say – though Bishopston, you’re very good . . . www.windowwanderland.com
INCREDIBLE EDIBLE BRISTOL
During a morning stroll, you notice a little garden near the roadside. You investigate more closely, wondering what kind of flower has those leaves. You realise that it looks exactly like a carrot. Hold on – it is a carrot. . . and you’re invited to take it. Any piece of land has the potential to grow food and Edible Bristol is encouraging Bristolians to do just that – to find those little corners of the earth with growing potential and use them to cultivate 22 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Previous page: Colin Moody’s capture of this little boy at Easton Food Festival may well be our favourite Bristol photo from last year; above, the Sky Orchestra; some people complained about being woken up by classical music floating past their window (they were probably from Bath); right, Window Wanderland goals
WE BELIEVE THIS TO BE A PART OF A GIFT ECONOMY – AN
ECONOMY
OF KINDNESS SARA VENN
things you can eat. From curb-side gardens to an unused corner of a park, Edible Bristol is all about putting in some time and effort in to help tend food for your neighbour. So far there are around 30 little gardens; the food that grows there is free to eat – a gift from your city to you. “All of our gardens produce food for people – it’s free for anyone to take. We believe this to be a part of a gift economy, an economy of kindness,” says Sara Venn. ”As one of Bristol’s new Happiness Champions, I believe that the more this kind of work happens, the happier we will be as a population, and therefore the kinder we will be to each other.” www.ediblebristol.org.uk
HELPFULPEEPS.COM
This fairly new website has over 10,000 members in Bristol who have signed up to share their time, skills and knowledge – for free. “We’ve had thousands of interactions in which members have helped each other; so whether you want help with cat-sitting or moving a sofa, learning a language or volunteering for a local charity, Helpfulpeeps has seen the need requested and fulfilled by a kind stranger,” says organiser Saf Nazeer. www.helpfulpeeps.com
BRISTOL SMILE INSTIGATION COLLECTIVE
Have you ever been walking along, immersed in your own thoughts when suddenly a stranger takes the time to give you a cheeky unexpected w
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 23
HEART OF THE CITY grin meant for your eyes only? You feel a brief moment of connection and then you move on with your day, a new spring in your step. Originating in Brighton in 2011, The Bristol Smile Club popped up not too long after. With the aim of infecting people with happiness and improving the wellbeing of the community, it also organises events to help put the fun back into being a grown-up, from guerrilla art to anonymous installations, adding googly eyes to vegetables and holding a giant water fight. Look for Bristol Smile Instigation on Facebook
HAPPY CITY
IN LONDON, A GIANT WATER FIGHT
TURNED INTO A RIOT. IN BRISTOL, THE FIRE BRIGADE
APPEARED AND TURNED ON THEIR
Happy City is exactly what it sounds like – a campaign to develop happiness, one city at a time. This Bristol-based charity uses the Happy City Index to help measure happiness, and it runs various projects to help enhance wellbeing; get in touch to find out how you can enhance your smile-o-meter. They’ve got a busy year ahead, launching the major campaign #InvestInHappy to get people talking about what really matters to them. On and offline channels will be used to ignite conversations in pubs and cafés, in homes and workplaces and in the corridors of power. www.crowdfunder.co.uk/investinhappy
PLAYABLE CITY
An arts-stroke-tech initiative with one aim: to make everyday life more entertaining and creative. Hello Lamp Post invited people to strike up conversations with familiar street furniture, using the text-message function on their mobile phones. Urbanimals was a playful pack of wild beasts that appeared in unexpected places across the city of Bristol, waiting for people to play with
PHOTO BY COLIN MOODY
HOSES, JUST FOR THE CRAIC
24 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
them. Shadowing gave memory to city street lights, enabling them to record and play back the shadows of those who pass underneath. The fact that Bristol gave birth to Playable City is no coincidence; it didn’t appear out of the ether, or represent something entirely new. Playable City gave a name to an existing movement, seeking to commission new work as part of a programme that was heavily influenced by many Bristol creatives and projects, such as Mobile Bristol, Igfest and Animating the Zone. And while we’re at it, let’s not forget Luke Jerram and his Sky Orchestra (hot-air balloons that broadcast music); Play Me, I’m Yours (pianos placed round the city
for anyone to play; one cute-meet led to a marriage proposal), and the gurt lush waterslide that ran down Park Street one brilliantly silly day in the summer of 2014. www.playablecity.com; www.lukejerram.com
Next, we spoke to a handful of Bristol folk who regularly contribute to the happiness, fun and well-being of the city
Colin Moody
If we were asked to suggest an official ambassador for Bristol, we’d put forward TV and radio presenter/photo journalist Colin. He cited several examples of Bristol fun, kindness and beauty, from the Easton Food
HEART OF THE CITY
Festival to the neighbourly spirit of Hotwells – and the mysterious Sax Man. “The Sax Man’s true identity is a mystery to me, but every week at some point he comes out after dark with his saxophone and slowly walks down the street where I live, playing the most achingly beautiful jazz and blues. Sometimes I give him a nod and get a classic jazz-club nod back. “I’m no expert, and he may just be practicing little parts of bigger standards, but they are little pieces of perfection to me. Free-formed loveliness floating into our urban realm. “And what makes it so special is that because we live near a flyover he can be heard coming along the way, and it’s like everything has suddenly become the start of the opening titles from an impossibly cool indie movie. Then he settles under the concrete roadway, playing – the echo from above blending with the traffic. After some later flourishes he is gone, and the swoosh of cars going past seems to close the moment like a Woody Allen film. “He could just practice in his room, right? But he’s decided to step it out onto the street, and it’s always so, so good. Whoever you are, I just want to say thank you – your feel-good jazz emissions sound so right outside they have changed how I feel about where I live all the way to the extreme positive. Nice.”
NICK RAISTRICK
Nick is the founder of the highly entertaining Get the Easton Look Facebook page, which takes a sardonic and satirical look at fly-tipping while simultaneously sending up the art establishment. Nick’s also trying to raise funds for Syria on the back of the Easton project: www.justgiving. com/fundraising/eastonlook. We know what a community-minded dude he is, so we didn’t raise
Above: Colin Moody captured the crowds who turned up at the Jamia Mosque in Totterdown to express their refusal to tolerate bigotry Bottom pic: Modern Lovers, a Banksy gift to the city
an eyebrow at the news that for his recent stag weekend, Nick chose to hold a beach clean. “We were joking about having a ’90s theme, so I suggested we go to Portishead. I’ve already done a few beach cleans there for the Marine Conservation Society, led by fellow Eastonian Sazzle Edmondson, and I asked her if this could be one of the stag activities. She said yes, so long as I wore a Baywatch bikini. “Beach cleans are a good thing to do anyway, and can help you feel less crushed by the dark, negative forces that seem taking over at the moment. And the way I see it, it doesn’t really matter what you do, it will be fun. Although I once went on a stag night in Barcelona where someone got stabbed. “I was partly inspired by some CCTV footage on YouTube of some lads in Boston who mended a broken bike rack at 3am. I hope to start a trend of virtuous stag nights. They could do other big jobs. And Bristol is full of good-natured drunks, right? I see them as an untapped resource, basically. They can be a force for the good. Just get them before they start swaying, professing love for each other and being sick into cash points. Then it just becomes a hazard. “You can do a beach clean at any time though. Arrange via www.mcsuk.org.”
JESS SIGGERS
. . . and the rest of the igersBristol crew – in fact, anyone who bothers to take a photo and share it on Instagram, just for the Bristol love of it, to make us all feel great about the city we call home.
PAM BEDDARD
Pam handles the PR for the Slapstick Festival, which gives us a happy start to each new year in January. “It wouldn’t even exist if it weren’t for w
FREEFORMED LOVELINESS, FLOATING INTO OUR URBAN REALM . . .
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 27
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HEART OF THE CITY
Glo Road love; yarn bomb pic by Jenny Sanderson; the FLO strikes again
the support of local people and the many topflight comedians kind enough to host festival event for free”. Even the mighty John Cleese offered his help with a rare live gig last year. “Then there’s Keep Bristol Warm, when people rocked up at the Bear Pit with warm clothes and so on for the homeless. It was inspirational, as was its call for folks to tie woolly scarves to lampposts for anyone in need. I also love it that Paper Village on North Street in Bedminster makes cute little dresses for girls in Africa from fabric ends. “But the random acts of kindness that uplifted me most last year all centred on Totterdown. First, the landlord of The Oxford pub, Jon Evans, asked us all to collect warm clothes and bedding for migrants in The Jungle at Calais and we saw the pub filled almost to the roof with donations. Second, he co-ordinated this community’s response to the racist attack on our mosque, to the great joy of local Muslim families. “And then there’s Beks, who runs a magical flower shop called Floriography on Wells Road, who regularly leaves little posies about the area, who has dotted ‘pick me’ planters around the place, attached stealth cans of prettiness to street furniture and made a giant floral circle of
THINGS WE LOVE EVEN MORE THAN CHOCOLATE • We love that while London’s giant water fight turned into a riot, with citizens pitched against the police, in Bristol, the fire brigade turned up and turned on their hoses – not to suppress the populace, just for the craic. • We love the person who put out a bucket of flowers on Gloucester Road the day after the Brexit vote, with a message saying: ‘if you are an immigrant to the UK, please take a rose’. • We love street art that appears overnight – we’re thinking of Banksy’s Modern Lovers, created specifically to raise cash for the ailing Broad Plain Boys’ Club. We’re thinking of the amazing work from international artists during Upfest, done for the sheer love of art. And we love the exuberant art of Alex Lucas, who brings so much colour and fun to her corner of the city, from the murals on her own home and shop to commissioned work in the Stokes Croft area. • We love the fact that in July 2015, the children of Bristol set a new world record for ‘the most random acts of kindness in a city in a day’ – 20,000 in all. Well done, you kids. • We love 91ways: 91 languages are spoken in Bristol and their ‘peace cafés’ seek to bring cultures together through a universal love of food; www.91ways.org.
Festive fairy action
• We love the fact that when homeless Big Issue seller Jack married one of his former customers, locals donated handmade wedding rings, two bin liners full of suits and even a LEGO Tardis wedding cake. Jack is now studying for an Open University degree in psychology and sociology, and hopes to help people off the streets when he graduates. Spread the Bristol love this V Day…
hope which appeared in Perrett’s Park on New Year’s Eve. None of this is ever branded; it’s not a marketing stunt. We just know it’s her because these are the kind of lovely things she does, and is her way of offsetting the fact that Totterdown’s two-up-two down houses don’t have much garden.”
AARDMAN ANIMATIONS
It’s no secret that Aardman offers ongoing support for The Grand Appeal, giving us the fun and interest of the Gromit and Shaun trails in the process. We loved the fact that just before last Christmas, Pete Lord gave every Children’s Hospital patient a special Gromit figurine, and every staff member a pin badge to celebrate 21 years of the charity and 150 years of the hospital.
THE FAIRY LIASON OFFICER
We do believe in fairies; we do, we do. A set of fairy doors began to appear in Bristol last year; the official Fairy Tree is just by the Golden Lion, though dwellings have now been seen as far away as Redland Station and Whiteladies Road. All the doors and signs are at eye-level for children; there have also been miniature gardens, tiny doors that can open and little swings. It’s not as gratuitously fey as it sounds (not that we have any problem with ‘gratuitously fey’). “My aim is to provoke pleasure, possibility and belonging,” says the Fairy Liaison Officer (FLO). “I want people to delight in daily life, to look at the world in a different way as they go about their everyday lives. It’s an act of community-building, and signalling the presence of playfulness so that children remain in the wider consciousness”. And it seems to have increased general levels of kindness in the immediate area; plans are afoot to maintain and increase this trend. Exact details of this plan currently remain under wraps, but there are rumours of a February launch. OK – we’re done; though to be honest, this barely scratches the surface. Well done, Bristol; you’re amazing. You can get back to booking that restaurant for V Day now. www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 29
P R O P E R T Y a d v ertising f eat u re
New letting regulations to take effect Letting fees are about to be cut but landlords are keen to avoid footing the bill
T
he fees charged by letting agencies have long been a contentious issue both in Bristol and further afield. Renewal fees can surpass £300 and yet the agent has to do little more than print off a contract to sign. Credit checks are another regular offender; something that typically costs the agent less than a fiver to carry out, can add a further £60 to the tenant’s administration fees. The list, unfortunately, goes on and on. As recently as mid-November, Bristol was the scene of protests. Students, furious at a letting agent’s refusal to sign an ethical charter produced by community union Acorn, campaigned fervently. In response to this nationwide furore, Phillip Hammond has announced, that as part of his first Autumn Statement, letting agents in England will be banned from charging fees to tenants “as soon as possible”. However, there is fear that estate agents will attempt to recoup the deficit from the lost tenancy charges by increasing the fees they charge landlords The Residential Landlords Association
30 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
concurs: “Agents’ fees have to be paid by somebody.” Bristol landlords are eager to avoid the extra costs that letting agents will be passing on and are increasingly utilising the services of companies like Property360. Much of Property360’s appeal, in a minefield that can be beset with cowboys, is that they are part of the Quarter Group, Bristol’s largest independent property management company, and already own and run multiple hotels, flats and suites throughout the city. A further enticement for landlords is that Property360 will take their property off their hands and guarantee to pay them a monthly rent above the level that the landlord could expect to normally achieve. Property360 then rent the property out using their extensive network, and 50 years of experience, to short term tenants. Even if the property isn’t filled, the landlord still receives their monthly income. With the new budget applying ever more pressure and costs to letting agents, which they in turn will be transferring to landlords, landlords might be better off cutting out the middle man, or agent, and seeking the services of Property360. BL
Philip Hammond
0117 973 0552 www.property-threesixty.com hello@property-threesixty.com
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Music/theatre/film/more
TAKE ME TO CHURCHILL
You wait for one Caryl Churchill play to come along, and . . . etc, etc. No sooner had the applause died away for Blue Heart at Tobacco Factory Theatres last October than we learned that Escaped Alone was heading to Bristol. So what’s this one about, then? On the surface, just four women of a certain age, gossiping in a back yard. But this isn’t the Golden Girls; it’s not even Alan Bennett. We’re in classic Churchill territory here, so despite the superficially sunny suburban setting, the world we’re drawn into is dark, sometimes surreal, and often absurd. In 50 concise minutes, we run the gamut of female anger and fear, mostly caused by men (but also cats; oh, just go and see it). But these women are indomitable; there’s joy and defiance among the foreboding. If you fancy a helping of catastrophe with your tea, and want to see four actresses at the top of their game in a play that could hardly be more of a cinch for the zeitgeist, head to Bristol Old Vic between 22-26 March. It may well be the best 50 minutes you spend in a theatre this year. For more www.bristololdvic.org.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 33
3 February – 3 March 2017
J U ST A F EW S U GGES TI ON S FOR YOU R MON TH
Still optimistic after all these years – Josie Long; lies, damned lies – Othello; she’s fine, absolutely fine: Mummy Monster
Exhibitions UNTIL 18 FEBRUARY
FOR THE LOVE OF IT Three artists united by a passion for creativity: Deborah Mann, Susie Nott-Bower and Julia Shaw. At Bristol Guild. www. bristolguildgallery.co.uk UNTIL 21 FEBRUARY
A SENSE OF SPACE Still lifes from a wide range of artists, from realistic to abstract; limetreegallery.com UNTIL 5 MARCH
WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR The annual photography treat returns to M Shed; don’t expect LOL captures of cats that look like Hitler; bristolmuseums.org.uk UNTIL 19 MARCH
STRANGE WORLDS Chagall, Rego and Pacheco
evoke the magic of Angela Carter in an explosive new exhibition, 25 years after her death. At RWA; rwa.org.uk UNTIL 26 MARCH
LUBAINA HIMID; NAVIGATION CHARTS The first major survey of British artist Lubaina Himid, a pioneer of the Black Arts Movement in Britain in the 1980s; at Spike Island; spikeisland.org.uk UNTIL 30 MARCH
BEYOND THE FATIGUED EYE An exploration of the Arnolfini as a space of creation as well as for presentation; focuses on live and performance art; arnolfini.org.uk
4-5 FEBRUARY
PAY & DISPLAY PRIZE 2017 Contemporary art selected from an open call by artists Daphne Wright and Beatrice Haines; centrespacegallery.com 4 FEBRUARY-10 SEPTEMBER
GLASS MICROBIOLOGY Luke Jerram’s extraordinary glass sculptures of eight deadly viruses and microbiology; science meets art in classic Jerram style; at The Box; at-bristol.org.uk 16-23 FEBRUARY
IV ART MEETING Review of Polish artists in the UK; centrespacegallery.com
holds the record for the priciest stage prop ever made. at The Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 10-11 FEBRUARY
MUMMY MONSTER Liz Hart’ traces one woman’s descent into a state where she is no longer fully in control. Sounds familiar? At Hamilton House; www.hamiltonhouse.org 10-18 FEBRUARY
OUR TOWN Bristol Old Vic Theatre School present Thornton Wilder’s piece of quintessential Americana, at Circomedia (promenade performance); oldvic.ac.uk 11 FEBRUARY
UNTIL 23 APRIL
WARRIOR TREASURES Dazzling collection of gold, silver and semi-precious gems – part of the Staffordshire Hoard. At Bristol Museum & Art Gallery; bristolmuseums.org.uk
34 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Plays/Shows UNTIL 4 FEBRUARY
CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG Various humans may feature – but the star is the car, and it still
AIDA Opera & Ballet International present a spectacular interpretation of Verdi’s classic opera; at The Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
W H AT ’ S O N
12-14 FEBRUARY
THE GIRL & THE GIRAFFE An uplifting family show about friendship; TFT’s first visit to the new 1532 Performing Arts Centre at Bristol Grammar School. tobaccofactorytheatres.com
ARTS
and betrayal – and yes, we know you can get all that at home. Production from the Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, at The Redgrave; oldvic.ac.uk 2-4 MARCH
WE ARE IAN 1989. Manchester. A frenzy of drugs, beats and bucket hats. ABBA MANIA Illegal raves. Acid parties... Just ABBA the concert; expect to hear all the faves. At The Hippodrome; jumping up and down in a field and throwing two fingers to atgtickets.com Thatcher... Remember it? Ian does... from award-winning 14-18 FEBRUARY company In Bed With My EVITA Bill Kenwright’s production of Tim Brother. At the Tobacco Factory; tobaccofactorytheatres.com Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit comes to The Hippodrome; Emma Hatton plays Mrs Peron. atgtickets.com 14 FEBRUARY
Music
16 FEBRUARY
9 FEBRUARY
16 FEBRUARY-1 APRIL
14 FEBRUARY
SPILLIKIN Pipeline Theatre’s story of a woman with Alzheimers living with a robot: it’s not only a deeply touching exploration of love, but it stars a state-of-the-art robot as a full cast member. At The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com OTHELLO Richard Twyman of English Touring Theatre takes on The Moor in the first part of this year’s Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory; tobaccofactorytheatres.com
QUERCUS The peerless voice and regal presence of June Tabor with pianist Huw Warren and saxophonist Iain Ballamy: a chamber jazz-meets-folk trio of equals at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.com ALEXANDER O’NEAL Now there’s a smooth operator for V Day; the man from Mississipi performs 30 Years of Hearsay, one of the all-time great R’n’B albums, with his nine-piece band; colstonhall.org
20-21 FEBRUARY
THE COMMITMENTS Hey, let’s put a band together! Roddy Doyle’s irresistible story about a group of young Dub no-hopers goes on the road. Destination, Bristol . . . ah sure, we can’t wait. At The Hippodrome; atgtickets.
16 FEBRUARY
LEANN RIMES Another star from ’Sippi; LeAnn’s been a star since she was 13, and was the first country singer to win a ‘best new artist’ Grammy’. colstonhall.org 17 FEBRUARY
21-25 FEBRUARY
THE CASTLE BUILDER Local legends Kid Carpet and Vic Llewellyn take you on a musical journey through the minds of some of our planet’s most eccentric and creative individuals; tobaccofactorytheatres.com 24 FEBRUARY-18 MARCH
JUNKYARD Inspired by the true story of The Vench (see page 46); bristololdvic.org.uk 24 FEBRUARY-3 MARCH
TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA Sexual confusion, cross dressing
EVELYN GLENNIE The world’s most famous solo percussionist makes a longawaited return visit to St George’s. stgeorgesbristol.com 20 FEBRUARY
ALPINES The electro-soul duo and fashionista faves head to The Louie; thelouisiana.net 22 FEBRUARY
BLAIR DUNLOP: RE-GILDED The award-winning British singer/songwriter/guitarist tours his Gilded album; at The Fleece; thefleece.co.uk
The best wildlife photos in the world at M Shed; Dublin charm at The Hippodrome 24 FEBRUARY
DE LA SOUL Celebrating 30 years of breaking new ground, the trio – rappers/ producers Posdnuos, Dave and Maseo – head to Bristol. colstonhall.org
Comedy
Batman. Go see her. At Comedy Box; thecomedybox.co.uk DAVID O’DOHERTY: BIG TIME The Aldi Bublé, the Ryanair Enya, is delighted to present a show of talking and songs played on a crappy keyboard salvaged from 1986. At Bristol old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk
3-4 FEBRUARY
SUSAN CALMAN: THE CALMAN BEFORE THE STORM Scottish comedian Susan Calman’s ready to create a storm, to set the record straight and to give it to the man (whoever he is). Incidentally, she would also like to be
5 FEBRUARY
DR PHIL HAMMOND: DR PHIL’S HEALTH REVOLUTION Laugh, sort your life out, stay sane, plan your death and save the NHS, says the good doctor. At the Tobacco Factory; thecomedybox.co.uk w
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 35
W H AT ’ S O N
ARTS
6 FEBRUARY
RUSSELL HOWARD Join Bristol’s finest and be the first to hear him try out new material; at The Hippodrome; atgtickets.com 6, 20 FEBRUARY
CLOSER EACH DAY The world’s longestrunning improvised soap continues at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com 11 FEBRUARY
DANNY BAKER: CRADLE TO THE STAGE “This is the sort of radio I’ve always wanted to do, ie, radio without radio. Just me and you,” says Danny; At The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com 12 FEBRUARY
THE NOISE NEXT DOOR The Edinburgh Fringe darlings and comedy club headliners bring their 100% improvised schtick to Colston Hall; colstonhall.org RUBY WAX: FRAZZLED The comedian, actor, writer and ‘it’ girl of mental health campaigning comes to The Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com JASPER CARROTT & ALISTAIR MCGOWAN Two comedy legends share the bill at The Hippodrome; atgtickets.com
Ian remembers 1989, and Kid Carpet’s back, both at Tobacco Factory Theatres; a rummage through the past at the Affordable Vintage Fair
off a cliff. Oh, and she wanted to be taller and better looking. A show about optimism and hopefulness. At Comedy Box; thecomedybox.co.uk
13-14 FEBRUARY
MILES JUPP: SONGS OF FREEDOM The stand-up, actor, writer, thinker, father, husband, worrier and host of The News Quiz hits the road in a freshly-ironed shirt and some robust trousers in an attempt to make sense of the everyday mysteries of life. bristololdvic.org.uk
Other
JOHN SHUTTLEWORTH: MY LAST WILL AND TASTY MINT A recent health scare (well, mild sciatica) has made “Sheffield’s finest singer/songwriter” focus on his mortality in this show; bristololdvic.org.uk
WINDOW WANDERLAND The community frontwindow initiative comes to a neighbourhood near you; windowwanderland.com BRISTOL’S AFFORDABLE VINTAGE FAIR Over 35 stalls packed with affordable vintage fashion, accessories & collectables; at Paintworks. Find them on Facebook. 7 FEBRUARY
26 FEBRUARY
JOSIE LONG Josie’s 34. She thought by now that she would have children, and be in love, and have a country that didn’t vote with the far right parties to march us all
IN BETWEEN TIME The acclaimed biennial of live art and performance returns with its most ambitious programme to date, with 40 artists staging works across the city; for more details see feature on page 40.
4-5, 24-26 FEBRUARY
5 FEBRUARY 17 FEBRUARY
8-19 FEBRUARY
THERE WILL BE BLOOD Paul Thomas Anderson’s Oscarwinning film is accompanied by a live orchestral performance of Jonny Greenwood’s score; colstonhall.org
13 FEBRUARY
BLAHBLAHBLAH On the eve of Valentine’s Day, the Blah descends, predictably, into a pit of cynicism and bitterness. Is love life’s greatest gift, or does it just suck? Discuss; at Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk
Sport 4 FEBRUARY
11 FEBRUARY
BRISTOL ROVERS V BRADFORD CITY At The Memorial Stadium; kick-off at 3pm; bristolrovers.co.uk 14 FEBRUARY
BRISTOL ROVERS V SHEFFIELD UNITED At The Memorial Stadium; kick-off at 7.45pm; bristolrovers.co.uk 18 FEBRUARY
BRISTOL CITY FC V FULHAM At Ashton Gate; kick-off at 3pm; bcfc.co.uk 24 FEBRUARY
BRISTOL CITY FC V ROTHERHAM UNITED At Ashton Gate; kick-off at 3pm; bcfc.co.uk
BRISTOL RUGBY V BATH At Ashton Gate; kick-off at 7.45pm; bristolrugby. co.uk 25 FEBRUARY
10 FEBRUARY
BRISTOL RUGBY V HARLEQUINS At Ashton Gate; kick-off at 7.45pm; bristolrugby.co.uk
BRISTOL ROVERS V SCUNTHORPE UTD At The Memorial Stadium; kick-off at 3pm; bristolrovers. co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 37
A previous outing for The Record
ABOUT TIME Bristol’s biennial In Between Time festival is back in town – and, as ever, it wants to make you think while it entertains you By L I SA WA R R E N 40 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
F E S T I VA L
ARTS
Clockwise from left: Dancing with Strangers; Real Magic; Beastie
I
n Between Time is much more than an arts festival. For example, when it last came to town in 2015, among many other events, performances and happenings, it shrouded Pero’s Bridge in fog, took you on a night walk with a Knowle West teenager and exposed you to a storm of light and sound at The Island. Innovative, eclectic and thought-provoking, IBT has always sought to do more than divert and entertain; it wants to make you think about the state of the world – now, perhaps, more than ever. Around 40 artists will stand up for their beliefs, in a programme of more than 30 live art events in various venues and locations across the city: the motto of this year’s festival is ‘stand up, stand out’ (and yes, we do realise that this may be a teeny bit confusing for Bristol audiences, given Slapstick’s recent, similarly-monikered fundraisers). Here, as we say in the trade, are some of the highlights of this year’s IBT.
IBT HAS ALWAYS DONE SO MUCH MORE THAN ENTERTAIN
THE RECORD New York’s convention-smashing theatre company 600 Highwaymen are bringing the UK première of their show to Bristol. What’s it all about? No-one really knows, though we’ve done our damndest to find out (page 43). The show features 45 Bristolians who will come together for the first time on stage; following auditions they’ve rehearsed alone, and on 9 February will see each other for the first time as the curtain rises on Bristol Old Vic stage. GHOST DANCE Struggling to stick to a New Year fitness regime? Come and be shamed by amazing duo Lone Twin, who will open the festival by dancing non-stop for 12 hours. They’ll be blindfolded, dressed like cowboys and silent – and yet they’ll match each other’s footsteps perfectly. Keep them going through the exhaustion and don’t let them fail. w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 41
ARTS
F E S T I VA L
THE DAWN ART PARTY For one night only, the Old Fire Station will be transformed into one huge, immersive party. Limbic Cinema will use light and technology to create the illusion of nightfall and dawn, while a host of live DJs over two rooms bring the dance floor to life. To top it off, everyone’s encouraged to be the art of the party; dressing up as a creature of the night or dawn and dancing through to the early hours. It’s time to dust off those antlers, Bristol. NEW MUSIC SERIES We’re all used to music artists creatively using audio visual experiences during live gigs (Kraftwerk, Massive Attack, Tindersticks et al). This series, in partnership with Colston Hall, celebrates just that, with an immersive new music programme over three days at the former IMAX (known now as Bristol Aquarium’s Large Screen Theatre) featuring live gigs by Max Cooper and Factory Floor, and a discussion with music artists on scoring for film. DANCING WITH STRANGERS: FROM CALAIS TO ENGLAND OK. So you’re in the city centre, just by the Hippodrome, say, and you spot a woman asking you to dance with her. What do you do? Dance with her, of course: you’re in Bristol, my son. Rita Marcalo, known as Instant Dissidence, spent time in the Calais Jungle dancing with refugees. The result: a choreographic act of border transgression. 42 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
We’re in a Lone Twin frame of mind; come and help them navigate their Ghost Dance
IT’S TIME TO DUST OFF THOSE
ANTLERS, BRISTOL
BEASTIE Lone Twin again. Keep your eyes peeled during IBT, because you never know when or where you may meet Beastie: a creature conjured up by the imaginings of children, who roams the streets of Bristol, wanting to sense our welcome. To further understand the creature’s story, children (from 6-10 years old) are invited to attend weekend workshops to create his story and explore the streets with their new friend. REAL MAGIC By Forced Entertainment. To a soundtrack of applause and laughter on loop, a group of performers attempt an impossible magic illusion – part mind-reading, part cabaret, part game show – the comical repetition of the performance sees the performers caught in a world of secondchances and second-guesses, creating a show about optimism and the desire for change. PLAYING UP A game played by adults and children together. Turn up, allow an hour and follow directions. Your seven-year-old may be told to control you with a remote, you might end up wandering off in pursuit of a passer-by or you may be asked to make clothes out of food – it’s all part of the game, and of making your own live art. IBT17 Bristol International Festival takes place 8-12 February in various venues and locations across the city; www.inbetweentime.co.uk
F E S T I VA L
ARTS
JUST for THE RECORD That completely-impossible-to-explain event we mentioned earlier? The one with the cast that never meet before the night of the performance? Let Michael Silverstone and Abigail Browde from New York theatre company, 600 Highwaymen have a go at explaining it anyway . . . getting to know everyone, but they are a varied and diverse group. Some people have lots of experience performing, while for others, this will be their first time on stage. There are people of all ages and backgrounds. We came to Bristol in the fall [that’ll be autumn, you non-Americans] and auditioned several hundred people. It was difficult to only be able to select a small fraction, but we’re really excited by each performer and what they’ll bring to the show. How is it possible to make a show without the cast meeting before they’re on stage? Actually, the performers don’t really ‘meet’ on stage, because in many ways it’s actually about each individual, alone with the audience. We’re interested in that sort of intimacy. It just happens that they’re not really alone on stage. Why are you premiering the piece at IBT17? Helen Cole, IBT’s director, saw our New York production, and invited us to be part of the festival. We’ve always wanted to show our work in the UK, so this is exciting for us. What can the audience expect from the performance at IBT17? You can expect something outside of a traditional theatrical event. We’re interested in the very nature of performance, and The Record led us to focus on the most primal elements: the place, the people, the time. Our aim is to frame an experience for the audience that wakes an awareness they had forgotten they had. We want to go deep into the present to locate emotions, dreams, myths and sensations that are stored in the space between audience and performer. So I’d say that if you come expecting a play with characters and a plot, you will be very surprised. The Record is more of a dance or installation than a play. You can expect to see people that you see every day. We’re not trying to transport the audience to another reality; we’re trying to go on a journey together that starts with what is right in front of you every day.
Hello. Who the hell are you? We are Michael Silverstone and Abigail Browde, and we work under the moniker 600 Highwaymen. Our shows are developed using creative methods that range from conventional to peculiar, and change form with each new project. They almost always revolve around the same thing – what happens when one group of people watches another. OK – explain The Record The Record is a large-scale choreographic work performed by 45 people. The performance is nonnarrative, but epic and emotional. It is a reflection of the time and place of which it is created; so far, we’ve made the show in New York City, Groningen, Hannover, Paris, Adelaide and Athens. We’ll be performing it at Bristol Old Vic, which we’re very excited about. We’ve performed it in industrial spaces – The Invisible Dog in Brooklyn, for example [editor nods knowingly] where we first made the show; museums like The Pompidou in Paris, but we’ve never performed in a venue quite this historic. We’re pretty excited. Tell us about the cast. Who are they? We’ve just started rehearsals, so we’re really just
The performers don’t really ‘meet’ on stage; it’s all about the individual
Any the wiser? Us neither. The New York Times described 600 Highwayman’s work as: “The awesome strangeness of being alive in the here and now”. Does that make it any clearer? Better come along and see it for yourself, then. The Record plays at Bristol Old Vic 9-11 February. (There’s a little video on this website that may help a bit) www.bristololdvic.org.uk/therecord.html
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 43
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play time It’s 1979. It’s Lockleaze. There’s rubbish on the streets. Rick remembers what it’s like to be a teenager, so when he decides to build a junk playground he’s pretty sure he has the charisma to get a bunch of reluctant kids involved. He’s wrong . . . By de r i robi ns Photo s j onc ra ig photo s.com
T H E AT R E
ARTS
W
hen Bristol Old Vic builds a new play around a local story, it often becomes the stuff of legend. Up the Feeder, Down the Mouth, based on the heyday of Bristol’s docklands, is frequently cited by BOV staff as their all-time favourite production; Pink Mist, the story of three Bristol soldiers back from Afghanistan, was hands down the most moving night we’ve ever spent in a theatre. We’re still not entirely over it. So we sat up and took notice when we heard that writer Jack Thorne (Skins, This is England, Harry Potter) and director Jeremy Herrin (Wolf Hall) were working on a play based on the true story behind The Vench – an adventure playground – in Lockleaze. They’ve called it Junkyard. According to Jack Thorne, “Simply put, it’s a story of a group of 13 year olds and their playleader trying to build a junk playground. It’s also a little more complicated; it’s trying to be a rounded portrait of outreach work – the ways it can succeed and fail.” OK Jack, break it down for us a little bit more. The play is loosely based on your own dad’s experience of building The Vench in the 1970s. Why have you decided to tell this story, and why now? There are probably loads of deep-seated Freudian reasons that sit at the back of my dark subconscious. Or, I’ve just become a dad myself, so it could be that. The truth is, I’ve been trying to tell this story for a long time, because I always felt it was a great story. I think the junkyard playground movement was a brilliant idea, but it was full of troubles. Even today The Vench gets burnt down every other weekend. And then it gets built back up again. How closely does the play resemble the historic facts about the playground? Not that closely. Sometimes, as a writer, you have to stick really close to the facts, and sometimes it’s more important to tell the emotional truth of something. My dad is worried I’m going to give him all the credit, when there was an army of people behind and in front of him – but to tell that story would be to populate the play with a lot of adults and we don’t have the budget or the time for that; it has to be about the kids. The play looks at topics such as poverty, teenage pregnancy, violence and neglect – so is it a downbeat piece, or is there a hopeful message? The play tries to be a funny portrait of offbeat kids who’ve fallen off the path a bit. It’s social realism to some degree – but it’s full of joy, or at least it is the way our amazing cast do it.
There’s a really positive message about what happens when you give children creative freedom and responsibility, working outdoors to build something together, and to take pride in that achievement. Is that something that’s lacking for kids today? Absolutely. And the problem is with the constant brutal slicing of council budgets, they are having to weigh up the effect of cutting this or cutting that. They have to decide whether the money they allocate for one of the dwindling numbers of junk playgrounds is more important than the money they allocate for a Sure Start centre. I wouldn’t want to have to make that decision, and I understand why it’s leading to things like the junk playground movement being decimated, and that’s a tragedy. The trouble with this government is they’re not even thinking five years ahead, let alone 20. These schemes reach kids that other schemes don’t, and if we don’t reach them now, we’ll never reach them. They may not seem it at first glance, but they’re crucial.
SOMETIMES YOU HAVE TO STICK REALLY CLOSE TO THE FACTS, AND SOMETIMES IT’S MORE
Junkyard’s also a musical, and you’ve written the lyrics. Can you tell us a bit about the score and how you convinced Stephen Warbeck to compose it? The thing that I’ve learnt in my career is to always try to work with people that are better than you are. Stephen Warbeck, our composer, is an Oscar-winner who loves junk. In fact, when director Jeremy Herrin and I went to his house to persuade (beg) him to do it, we found his Oscar surrounded by junk. We’re working with some amazing instrumentalists who are playing things like tea chests in order that we can tell the story in the same way that these kids would tell it. Stephen is extremely brilliant, and I go home from rehearsal every day singing the melodies he wrote, and I think audiences will do the same.
IMPORTANT TO TELL THE EMOTIONAL
TRUTH
Was it important to you not to sugarcoat the experiences of the kids in the play? Absolutely. Though we met a kid who was there at the beginning of the playground who said it was an excellent place to sniff glue. So I’m a bit disappointed that I never get any glue-sniffing in. How well does it reflect life in 1970s Lockleaze? It tries to be true to the research I’ve done, and what I experienced as an outreach worker. ‘Typical’ is a slightly dangerous word, because then it has the responsibility of representing everyone. I think in the specific you find the universal. In This Is England we don’t try and represent the whole of the Midlands in the ’80s – we just try to represent how it was for our group of friends. The same is true with Junkyard.
You’ve written for Skins, Harry Potter and the new His Dark Materials – do you enjoy writing for and about young adults? It seems to me like it’s the most crucial time – when minds are set and paths are made. Also, I’m emotionally stunted and remember exactly how agonising those years were. Can you share any updates on His Dark Materials? I’m afraid I can’t say much other than it’s going well, I’m loving writing it and Philip Pullman is a brilliant man. Junkyard plays Bristol Old Vic 24 February-18 March For more www.bristololdvic.org.uk
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Every pets’ favourite shop!
Timber Windows of Clifton install the award-winning range of hand-made, hand painted and stained timber casement windows, sash windows and doors throughout Somerset, Bristol and Bath.
Plenty of bird seed and feeders to keep your garden birds happy!
5 Worrall Road, Clifton BS8 2UF 0117 973 8617 | www.alfieandbella.co.uk Open: Monday to Saturday
Whether your home is a country cottage, a Victorian semi, a modern townhouse or a converted barn, we have a range of traditional and contemporary timber windows and doors that will fit perfectly. Our products do not stick, warp or twist, require very little maintenance, offer modern standards of security and significant energy savings. Our showroom in Clifton provides the perfect environment to see and experience the beautiful products on display and to talk to us about your home.
enquiries@timberwindowsclifton.com www.timberwindowsclifton.com Timber Windows of Clifton, 29 The Mall, Clifton, Bristol BS8 4JG
Fashion/gifts/stores/more
WARNING: DISTRESSING SCENES When we think of all that relentless steaming, filling and sanding we did back in the ’80s we could cry. Why had no-one hit on the beauty of distressed paint and crumbling masonry back then? It would have saved so much time. Never mind, we’re all over the look now and one of the easiest ways to get ‘faded grandeur’ chic is by pasting up some Rebel Walls’ Curious wallpaper. And the big advantage over physically taking a hammer to the walls? If fashion swings back to the neatly-plastered look, which it probably will, fashion being fashion – you can just paint over it.
www.omnificdesigns.com Bristol stockists include Bracey Interiors www.braceyinteriors.co.uk
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SHOPPING
ED’S CHOICE
2
LOVE for SALE
1
YOU PROBABLY CAN’T BUY LOVE. BUT THERE’S NO HARM TRYING
3
4
1. LOVE DEVINE
2. ART LOVER
3. BLOOM IN LOVE
4. MAKING UP AIN’T
5. DOG LOVER
Heart badge, £16 (reduced from £20) To be worn as a badge of honour on The Day, possibly; even more effective than a t-shirt reading ‘I’m taken, and I get V Day gifts’ From Soma Gallery 4 Boyce’s Avenue www.soma.gallery
My Art mug, £7.95 (reduced from £13.95) Designed by Anouk Jansen, this mug’s called Andy (if they say ‘Andy who?’ they may not be for you). Vincent, Mark, Henri and Piet also available From Howkapow (who are having a huge sale atm) www.howkapow.com
Bouquets, £35-£75 This ‘flower studio creating orchestrated chaos’ is holding a pop-up on the Steps between 7-18 February; we think India Hurst’s arrangements are just perfection From Vervain 11 Christmas Steps Gallery www.vervainflowers.co.uk
HARD TO DO
Rockmount necklace, £150 A 22ct plated version of this necklace, modelled on Jane and Gavin’s beloved greyhound, Arnie. Nice and weighty; we especially love fiddling with the loose gold collar From Strange Bristol www.strangebristol.com
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Caroline Gardner cosmetic bag, £14.25 For extra love points, pop in a couple of her favourite cosmetics (oh, just look in the bathroom cabinet; do we have to do everything?) From Pod Company 24 The Mall, Clifton www.thepodcompany.co.uk
7
6 5
8
9
10
6. MINI-BREAK MY HEART
7. RELAX
8. IF YOU LIKE IT
9. LOVE BY CHOCOLATE
10. MCQUEEN OF HEARTS
Wallpaper guide, £6.95 Doesn’t have to be Rome. It could be Copenhagen, Venice, Helsinki; and you don’t have to tuck air tickets inside. Depends how keen you are to impress, we guess From Papersmiths 6A Boyce’s Avenue Clifton www.papersmiths.co.uk
‘Love It’ bath set, £11.95 Sensuous bath and massage oils and a body lotion, stylishly yet unfussily packaged, from our latest beauty crush, Amphora From Amphora Aromatics 36 Cotham Hill www.amphora-retail.com
Gold and diamond ring, £896 White gold ring with a grey rose-cut diamond; cool, contemporary, gorgeous. Yes, please From Diana Porter 33 Park Street www.dianaporter.co.uk
Chocolate heart, £12-£16 Double chocolate almond heart, made with 33% milk, and 70% dark Belgian chocolate layers, stuffed full of crunchy roasted almonds from clever Zara From Zara’s Chocolates 228 North Street www.zaraschocolates. co.uk
Alexander McQueen skull scarf, £165 The classic McQueen skull design, here in delicate silk chiffon. If we can’t have a bespoke Tom White painting (see page 13) can we have this? From Harvey Nichols Quakers Friars www.harveynichols.com
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h e a lt h a n d b e a u t y a d v ertisi n g fe at u re
Meet the STYLIST One of the most frequent questions we’re asked at Bristol Life is “can you recommend a hair stylist?” Let four of the best tell you what they have to offer . . .
Emelya Robinson
Atelier Clifton Ltd Tel 01179 734 142 www.atelierclifton.co.uk What would you say is the most important part of the service you give? Understanding and being completely adaptable. No one guest is the same, has the same hair or the exact same lifestyle, therefore my approach is ever changing. What’s the secret to a good haircut? The secret to a good haircut is a clear consultation and understanding of the guests’ vision and requirements. We have to be realistic, manage expectation and where possible provide longevity. Why do you work in hairdressing? It is one of the happiest jobs in the world. Hairdressing allows me to create, inspire and socialise with amazing opportunities for growth in terms of career and as a person.
Tony Mitchell
Abi Britt
Who inspires you? The person who inspires me is my mum; all throughout my childhood she cut my hair. I used to be mesmerised with the transformation on my hair and it was certainly very cherished time with my mum. She always encouraged me to follow my dreams and to be creative.
What would you say is the most important part of the service you give? Customer satisfaction; I like the feeling of boosting a customer’s esteem.
Hair at 58 Tel 01179737793 www.hairat58.co.uk
If you could cut anyone’s hair, who would it be? Rihanna – my favorite artist. She isn’t afraid to challenge style and be an individual, which for a stylist is great fun, as you have creative freedom to totally transform their appearance. Where do you see yourself in 10 years time? I will have my own salons in Australia and the UK with my very own product line.
Do you prefer trend-led or classic styles? Classic styles are the base for even the most extravagant trend-led shapes, so what would one be without the other? Having said that, you really can’t beat a classic one-length bob just as Vidal Sassoon intended it.
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HQ Hairdressing Tel 0117 9508899 www.hqhairdressing.com
What is the best advice you have received? Every hairstylist has their own brand within their hairdressing skills. What is your favourite style of haircut? Something edgy and short. Who inspires you? My mum. I grew up in the hairdressing world; this meant I was given lots of opportunities to build my confidence. Do you prefer trend led or classic styles? Trend-led; I generally prefer more modern styles. Best part of your job? Meeting new people and creating new looks.
Kelly hill
Truly Scrumptious Hair Tel 0117 973 0412 www.trulyscrumptioushairbristol. co.uk What is the most important part of the service you give? The most important part of our service is our clients, from start to finish. A client consultation is key to getting everything right allowing your client to explain and be listened to, it is also a time to build a relationship so your client feels at ease. What’s your top tip to share with clients? My best tip is to invest in a good shampoo/conditioner and lay off the straighteners. Why hairdressing? Hairdressing to me means going to work everyday with the intention of making people feel good about themselves. The best part about my job is seeing a client smiling in the mirror and that’s when you know you’ve done your job Who inspires you? My inspiration has to be Egidia Bonomini. She taught me respect and understanding for hair and the environment. What is the secret to a good haircut? The secret to a good haircut is for it to work effortlessly day to day but can be given a creative look for a glamorous night out.
CH AL AR SO DS N , F OW RA A M T PT ON RI
VALENTINES NIGHT IN Have a romantic night in
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101 Henleaze Road, Bristol BS9 4JP.
0117 962 1095
www.henleazebutchers.co.uk
STREET LIFE
OK GLO All kinds of creative, funky things are happening along the Gloucester Road. Business as usual, then By L I SA WA R R E N Photo s by JON C R A IG
INDEPENDENT.
ECLECTIC. ORIGINAL. FRIENDLY. BUZZING . . .
‘‘I
ndependent. Eclectic. Original. Friendly. Buzzing.” These are the five words chosen by Sarah Thorp, owner of gallery Room 212, to describe Gloucester Road – famed as the longest row of independent shops in Europe? Wow – is it, really? Oh, we don’t know, we haven’t measured them all. What we do know is that since we launched this magazine in 2004, the area has changed enormously, for the better; it’s still retained a certain edginess, still has a satisfying element of grunge – it has its feet in Stokes Croft, for heaven’s sake – but it has also gained a flourishing vibrancy and optimism that was previously lacking. Sarah is a leading member of the Gloucester Road Traders group. She’s always thinking up new ways of ways to beautify the high street and promote artists in the area; she also runs the Facebook and Twitter accounts, both at @GloucesterRoad, keeping everyone up to date. She was the obvious person to ask for a current health check on the street; so we did. w www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 55
Sarah, we know you’ve been in the area for 10 years – has it changed much since you first arrived? Yes it has; but while businesses may come and go, the spirit remains the same – independentlyowned shops, funky cafés, great restaurants, trendy bars, excellent art galleries all mixed in with traditional butchers, bakers and fruit and veg sellers. We believe you met up with Mayor Marvin recently to discuss how to promote the street – can you tell us a bit about that? We met with Marvin to discuss the best way to keep our high street thriving in these uncertain times. Marvin recognised how passionate we are about our high street and the importance of Gloucester Road for the local community, and for Bristol as a whole. Bristol is now prominent on the worldwide stage and, as the ‘longest high
street of independent traders in Europe’ the Glo Road plays an important part as a ‘destination’. Telling Bristol Life readers about the joys of Gloucester Road is part of our plan . . . What’s the Bristol Pound news? B£ is creating a map of Gloucester Road showing businesses who accept the currency. Room 212 sells work by artists who created artwork for the pound notes; the Cary Grant stencil on the outside is by one of them, Stewy Stencil. You’re chiefly concerned with Gloucester Road Central – what is that, exactly? Gloucester Road Central is a fabulous collection of galleries, restaurants, cafes, bike shops and beauty salons, at the top of Pigsty Hill, halfway up Gloucester Road. Or to put it another way. Gloucester Road Central goes as far as I can before I run out of steam.
shops and businesses may come and go, but the independent spirit remains the same
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STREET LIFE From Lona to Boston Tea Party to Café Dreams, you won’t struggle to find a decent cup of Joe or a meal on the Glo Road
Can you tell us a bit about the art banners? The plan is to put up lovely colourful banners on all the lampposts along Gloucester Road, using artwork by Bristol artists. We are starting with Gloucester Road Central, and hope to spread it up and down the road. Tell us about a few of your own favourites Lona creates fresh juices, and they’re about to open a separate dessert and ice-cream place. Pizzarova does fresh pizzas, Golden Lion is my friendly local, buzzing with live music most nights. Nuala Morey has lovely, friendly hair stylists and a beautiful salon. There are far too many wonderful cafés to mention, along with our award-winning fish & chippy, Bishopston Fish Bar. Is it true that you never need to visit a supermarket if you live on the Glo Road? Yes! Joe’s Bakery has a wonderful variety of
freshly-baked breads and cakes, Pawsons is a fruit and veg shop stocking everything from the usual to the exotic, and Giles Butcher has a wide range, including the Bishopston Banger. And if we’re just browsing for treats, clothing or gifts? Oddsox has really cool shoes for kids, which also go up to adult sizes. All the art galleries and gift shops offer a really wide variety of work by different Bristol artists – try Fig, Artemis and Paper Plane. We have two great bike shops – Rollquick even rebuilds bikes by upcycling from vintage ones – and Luna Optical is a really wonderful opticians. Can you tell us a bit about the My Wild City campaign, and GRC’s role in it? The My Wild City campaign seeks to help pollinators such as bees exist in the builtup environment of Bristol. I am a ‘Wildlife w
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STREET LIFE
THE GLO ROAD HAS RETAINED A SATISFYING ELEMENT OF GRUNGE; IT HAS ITS FEET IN STOKES CROFT, AFTER ALL
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STREET LIFE
Champion’ and raised the funding so that the Avon Wildlife Trust could build big planters for wildflowers, shrubs and even vegetables on the pavements outside all our shops. BBC Springwatch learnt about our plans and presenter Nick Baker came and interviewed us when we installed them. Tell us about your own Room 212 I stock the work of around 50 Bristol artists; they either contact me, or I find them on art trails or at exhibitions. I take work on sale or return, charge a low commission and ask everyone to take it in turns to run the shop. This means that customers always get to meet a local artist, and artists meet each other. As Room 212 is also my home, it has become a lovely social and creative hub. Even my cat enjoys hanging out here . . . So many ideas, events and projects have evolved from people meeting in my shop. We have also created an artist’s printing company, called 212 Productions. Tell us about a few of your bestsellers Popular artists include Jenny Urquhart, Laura Robertson, Rosie Webb, Rosie Mclay and Tiny Designs. Everyone loves images of Bristol on prints, coasters and magnets. We have even asked the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft to create porcelain mugs with Gloucester Road written on them. Finally, are there any other exciting events or initiatives we haven’t covered? The North Bristol Art Trail, which takes place at the last weekend of November; Window Wanderland in the first weekend of February; Jack in the Green coming up Gloucester Road with his crazy procession of dancers and musicians to welcome in the summer at the beginning of May; a big music festival at the Golden Lion, which takes over the street in midJune; our Christmas street party, held on the first weekend of December . . . For more info see www.room212.co.uk and follow @GloucesterRoad on Twitter and Gloucester Road Bristol on Facebook
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L E G A L ad v e rtisi n g f e at u r e
Food Safety Regulations – Not Just for Big Business Why should you seek advice from a solicitor if you're setting up a food business? LIZ HIGHAMS of AMD is full of pro-active advice
Why should I seek advice from AMD Solicitors? Whether you are setting up a new business or you have been in business for some time, you could profit from advice from a solicitor in relation to your food business about the regulations and how you are bound by them and what you can do to stay within them or change your setup to ensure that you are not in breach of them. We at AMD can give you proactive advice when the business is doing well and is trading
successfully. Indeed this is usually the time that the advice is needed as it is easier to lose focus on regulatory compliance when things are going well. Assistance with compliance Seeking advice from us can help prevent and reduce the risk of things going wrong. For example we can assist with the compilation of a risk assessment procedure and documentation as required by HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) this is a preventive approach to food safety in production processes to reduce risks to a safe level. We can also give advice in relation to any labelling requirements of new or changed products to ensure that it is in fact a foodstuff and therefore bound by the regulations. Help with the authorities We can give advice on how to deal with authorised officers and inspections. This could reduce the risk of prosecution for obstruction and could avoid prosecution. We could liaise with the authorities to give a business time to put things right before moving to a prosecution. We could also challenge the decision of the regulator and protect your best interests should the authorities decide that prosecution is an option. When there is a problem The fast moving consumer goods sector runs the greatest risk of causing or being involved in a product recall or withdrawal. The first 24 hours are crucial to restricting the amount of damage that might be caused to a business, its brand and its reputation. We can help with the process for recall to help reduce potential damage. Robust food safety procedures are critical to prevent problems but the business can
60 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
“we can help prevent and reduce the risk of things going wrong� be advised on what to do when things do go wrong so they can act swiftly and effectively. Product recall involves a mix of law and practical know-how. Advice on the legal responsibilities of a business and to ensure that all the necessary systems and procedures are in place could lead to a reduction in insurance premiums. At AMD Solicitors, we have a team of experienced commercial solicitors in Bristol who can assist with food regulatory compliance. With our support, you can be sure that your business is operating in line with current regulatory compliance requirements.
For an initial discussion about your business please contact Liz Highams, Solicitor on 0117 9235562 or by email at lizhighams@amdsolicitors.com
Lunar optical is a leading independent optical practice on Gloucester Road
“Wonderfully fresh flavours... inherently satisfying dishes; staff are cool and calm and the atmosphere terrific.” MICHELIN GUIDE 2016
Proud to bring colour to Gloucester road with woow eyewear Your eyes are for looking at beautiful things....
COMPLIMENTARY SPRITZ for you and your guests when dining
291 Gloucester Road, Bishopston, Bristol BS7 8NY.
Tel: 0117 942 0011 Email: info@lunaroptical.com Open: Monday, Friday, Saturday - 9.30am to 5.30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday - 9.30am to 6.00pm
www.lunaroptical.com
To redeem, simply quote ‘Bristol Life’ on arrival
Polpo Bristol 50 Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2NH 0117 973 3100 www.polpo.co.uk
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R E S TA U R A N T
FOOD
The Kensington Arms Pub classics under the aegis of Bristol’s busiest Michelin-starred chef? We knew exactly which Redland resident to send in for the team By SE B BA R R E T T
T
he Kensington Arms is an English pastoral uprooted from the countryside and planted in the heart of Redland. This comforting feeling leaks from the invitingly warm bar area, propped up by devoted locals, into the surprisingly spacious dining room. The foodie offering at The Kenny has been top-notch for a good while now, but as the place has recently been taken over by the ubiquitous Josh Eggleton, together with Guy Newell of Butcombe Brewery fame, we’d guessed some changes might be on the cards. If we’d been a tad apprehensive about this, any nervousness evaporated as soon as we walked through the door. The Kenny mojo has not been messed with; the local clientèle is much the same, the décor barely tweaked. Only those with a preternatural interest in scatter cushions are likely to spot the difference. Furthermore, a quick glance at the menu shows that Josh has opted to stick with ‘superior gastropub’ rather than reaching for any more Michelin twinklers; fish and chips, pork belly and the popular Kenny Burger dominate, though there are less standard options, too; celeriac arancini and aubergine tagine for the veggies, rare onglet or brawn and piccalilli for the definitely nots; hake with mussels and chorizo for the fish-fanciers. Josh doesn’t do the hands-on cooking at The Kenny. He has a smallish empire to oversee, from the Pony to Salt and Malt to Chicken Shed to Yurt Lush, not to mention regular appearances on The Great British Menu – frankly, we’d be amazed to hear he has time to boil an egg – but he’s put the very experienced Luke Hawkins, formerly of The Pony, in charge of the open kitchen.
ONLY THOSE WITH A PRETERNATURAL
INTEREST IN SCATTER CUSHIONS ARE LIKELY TO SPOT THE DIFFERENCE
On a wave of TGIF greed, and still honouring the spirt of Burns Night, I opted for a pre-starter starter of haggis quail Scotch egg. The molten golden yolk was the perfect foil for the thick, sausagey coating and the four admirably straight sticks of crackling and a side of apple sauce that accompanied it. It was just on the right side of nibble size, too, which for any man is a necessity. My proper starter was the pork and chicken liver terrine with pickled red cabbage. A terrine man through and through – probably literally, if I approached every meal with as much gusto as this one – this was a meatily decadent dish that offered the perfect overture to the main course to come. Luke is a chef who has no problem conjuring up the likes of ricotta gnocchi with cavolo nero and caper salsa (which also happens to appear on the set menu) so it was a fair bet that he could grill a mean burger. I’ve probably never had a better one (and like regrets, I’ve had a few). The inner part of the patty was pleasingly pink and succulent; it came with a refreshingly nonmayonnaisey coleslaw and thick-cut chips, crisp and fluffy in all the right places. For pudding I opted for the maple and pecan tart with clotted-cream ice-cream. The perfectly judged ratio of pastry to filling was not only pleasing to the eye, but to my borderline excessively-indulged stomach. And so to the final piece of the jigsaw; the moment where the evening has been such a success you almost don’t want to risk it by laying down one final gauntlet. “Can I have a double espresso, please?” Now, in this day and age, you’d expect a coffee in a gastropub or restaurant to be decent (as a minimum requirement), but the truth is often a watery, weak disappointment. The Kenny, I am pleased to report, serves a velvety, gorgeous coffee; one which, thanks also to the excellent service, rounded off a terrific evening. All in all, I can reassure all Kenny fans that their favourite local is better than ever. Before we knew it, we had been there for two-and-a-half hours. I get the feeling we’ll be spending several more there.
DINING DETAILS The Kensington Arms, 35-37 Stanley Road, Bristol BS6 6NP; 0117 944 6444; www.thekensingtonarms.co.uk Opening hours Mon-Fri 12-11pm; Sat open all day; Sun 12-10.30 Prices starters £5-6; mains £10-£16; puds £4-6. Set menus £21-£23 Vegetarian choice Limited but imaginative Disabled access Fine for the bar; step up to dining room Drinks list Wide range of international and local beers and ciders; wine, bottles from £17 upwards; enticing aperitifs Service/atmosphere relaxed but efficient
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FOOD & DRINK W H AT ’ S M A K I N G T H E G O U R M E T N E W S I N B R I S T O L
TAKE FIVE
Let Alice Dalrymple and Jo Scholefield take you on a magical mystery foodie tour… Hello! What’s the Bristol Food Tour? A unique culinary adventure showcasing Bristol’s very best independent food vendors. We take people to around eight different venues to sample a wide variety of food and drink, learn information about the local area and hear the stories behind the businesses we visit (and the history of the local area). Each tour last around three hours; we always tell our tour-goers to come hungry . . . Who are you and what else do you do? Alice works for the Creative Youth Network and Jo works at Papadeli. The Bristol Food Tour started as a passion project, and we’re so excited to discover what the future holds for us as a business. How many people are on each tour? Generally eight people maximum (we can sometimes squeeze in a couple more), just because we like it to be a personal tour where everyone can chat and share food, just like a group of friends. Tell us about some of the food tours you’ve done Our current regular route for omnivores runs through Stokes Croft and into the city 64 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
centre. We also run a vegan-specific tour in the same area. We like to change where we go each week, to keep it exciting and we email our tour guests a few days before their tour with instructions about where to meet us on the day [the itinerary is a surprise]. Some of our regular stop-offs include Flour & Ash, Ceres, Smoke and Glaze and St Nick’s Market. How often do they run? Every Saturday. We can also organise tours for private groups during the week. We are currently sold out on our regular route for the next month or so, but we will be launching other routes in different areas of Bristol very soon. How do you work with the restaurants? First, we visit to find out about how and why they started their business, and offer them the chance to showcase their favourite items on the menu to our tour-goers. As we taste a sample at each stop-off, we generally order a few different dishes for everyone to share and enjoy. We love working with the places we visit, getting to know the owners and chefs and hearing the inside scoop. We often get special off-menu items just for the Bristol Food Tour.
Share some all-time food favourites Ooh, that’s a tricky question. We love Ceres for brunch, The Kitchen for a week day lunch and Yurt Lush for a cracking Sunday roast. Our favourite dinner spots include Bravas for proper authentic Spanish tapas and great G&Ts, The Pi Shop for pizzas, and Bulrush for a special dinner. Which new places are you excited about? Ceres – It’s a new café on Stokes Croft serving Melbourne-style brunch. The food looks and tastes incredible, plus all the staff are lovely, and it’s so chilled-out. What makes the Bristol food scene so special? Bristol is rife with independent food options, and the range of dishes and cuisines that are available is incredible. Everyone we have met is so passionate about the food they produce. The locals invest in and support the independents, and in return the city has become a hub for excellent food.
Standard tours cost £35 per person For more www.thebristolfoodtour.com
FOOD & DRINK
MORE TASTY BITES FEEDING TIME AT THE ZOO Refusing to be left out of the burgeoning Bristol food scene, Bristol Zoo has begun work on their new £1.8 million restaurant The Hide. Due to open this spring, The Hide promises an “immersive dining experience” that takes its design inspiration from animal habitats from around the world; textures and materials will replicate those found in nature, and will include marine, undergrowth, horizon and canopythemed zones. See you in the Congo line, then. www.bristolzoo.org.uk
LOVE FOOD? Thoughtfully scheduled for the Sunday-before-V-Day, 2017’s first Love Food Festival is “a celebration of love, community and food”. The indoor market will sell all you need to cook a special meal, and will even show you how to shuck an oyster (that’s not a euphemism). The street food line-up ranges from crispy squid from South Street Kitchen to salt beef from The Pickled Brisket and authentic mex from Los Hermanos. There’s plenty of non-food stuff too, from flower stalls to a V Day card-making station; but, yeah, it’s mostly about the food. The Love Food Festival is at Paintworks; the next fest will be at Passenger Shed on 1-2 April. www.lovefoodfestival.com
Love Food? You’ll love the fest, then
CIDER HOUSE RULES The Cider Press at 86-90 Gloucester Road has reopened its cider emporium following a £260k investment; expect to find over 30 on-tap, cutting-edge ciders; craft beers; gin cocktails; artisan pizza and tapas; and (this is either a warning or a promise depending on your pov) “enhancement of the already popular sports-viewing facilities”. www.theciderpressbristol.co.uk
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10 The Mall | Clifton | BS8 4DR | 0117 360 0288 info@nutmegbristol.com | www.nutmegbristol.com
VALENTINES DAY AT DYNASTY 4 Course Set Meal for Two at £24 per person, plus a gift for the lady Preclude to Romance Honey Barbequed Ribs, Vegetable Spring Rolls Sesame Prawn Toast, Salt & pepper Squids *** Neptune’s Passion Crispy Aromatic Duck with Pancakes (served with Garnish & Special Sauce) *** Love Potions Crispy Shredded Beef Szechuan Style Kung Po Chicken Prawns with Seasonal Vegetables Jade Fried Rice *** Sweet Romance Exotic Fruit Platter Coffee or Chinese Tea
A MAN’S WORLD
SEB BARRETT
NO GUNS PLEASE . . . . . . we’re British, for heaven’s sake
I
regret to inform the reader that I’ve been afflicted by a serious case of the Mary Whitehouses. That’s not Cockney rhyming slang, by the way (“He’s a proper Mary Whitehouse, that guy,” you can imagine Ray Winstone grumbling). It’s a reference to the broadcast standards campaigner famed for her moral crusades against the “blasphemy, bad language, violence and indecency” on our screens of yesteryear. You’ll be glad to hear that, unlike Mezzer Whezzer – as she was never known – it’s not the sex, drugs and bad language that have so concerned me as we start chapter 2017. It’s the over-reliance on guns as plot devices that are starting to gnaw away at me. As someone who has watched more films than your average person, I’ve reached a point in my life where I feel I’m fairly well-rounded when it comes to cinematic
Oh, put it down, Benedict, you’re from Kensington
critical thinking. At this juncture, you usually get more bang for your buck watching mainstream arthouse (say, Manchester by the Sea or Nocturnal Animals) than you would enduring Tom Cruise’s LEGO haircut as he punches his way out of a military prison. Sometimes, a bit of heavy weaponry is required in films, and when that’s the case I’m all for it. The acclaimed shootout in Heat springs to mind, but that scene is also crucial to Michael Mann’s masterpiece – and nobody ever robbed a bank with a feather duster. If you’re contriving a shootout simply because your film’s narrative is lagging, you’re just a lazy screenwriter. Why, then, does a series like BBC’s Sherlock, one that should be British in excelsis, feel the need to have guns in it? Maybe it’s the American market influencing the show, but the Internet Movie Firearms Database (insert facepalm meme here, Guardian readers) lists, with fetishistic
NOBODY EVER ROBBED A BANK WITH A FEATHER DUSTER specificity, over 20 firearms in the show – and that’s not including the latest series. We might talk about the perils of glamourising guns, but the real danger lies in normalising it. Few films explore their real horror and impact on the human body. Very rarely in real life is it “just a flesh wound”. Shooting heroin or having sex on screen is more controversial than, say, the chilling and extremely uncomfortable scene in The Bourne Legacy where a scientist locks himself and his colleagues in a lab and shoots them all, one by one. It’s riling to see bland film posters (and there are very few good film posters these days) which simply feature the brooding star of the movie and, oh – what’s this? He’s holding a gun! I’m thinking Ben Affleck’s latest, Live by Night, for example, but once you’ve spotted one, you’ll see them everywhere. “This poster doesn’t tell you anything about the film, but look: that’s a gun in his hand. Now we’ve got your attention...” So have all the Whitehouse throwbacks, opposed to the casual prevalence of guns in films and television, been silenced by the mass appeal of firearms? Spielberg famously had a gun digitally replaced by a walkie talkie in an anniversary version of ET: The Extra-Terrestrial. At the time, I remember it seemed a pointless bit of filmmaking revisionism. But when a single shooting incident like the one in Tottenham in 2011 can have such a devastating and farreaching effect, we should be bold in asking why guns are treated with such a laissez-fair attitude on our screens in this country? Seb Barrett works in sports communications. Follow him on Twitter @bazzbarrett
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SPORT
KYLE TRAYNOR
BACK TO SCHOOL What happens to a professional rugby player when they’ve hung up their boots?
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wise man once told me you should never stop being a student. This wasn’t meant in the sense of living the same as you did in your teenage years, but more about how you should always keep trying to improve yourself, taking on challenges outside of your comfort zone. In the professional sports environment, this is increasingly apparent, especially when you consider the ever-changing techniques in which sport evolves and the different challenges the game throws up. I took the point about being a student quite literally, returning to university to study formally for the first time in 10 years. While trying to plan for a successful career when I finish playing professional rugby, I felt it was important to challenge myself academically in order to make the transition from sport into business slightly easier, whilst boosting my academic credibility.
PHOTO BY JMPUK
Kyle: psyching himself up for the Sale Sharks game, or contemplating a looming academic deadline?
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATION WILL HOPEFULLY MAKE ME FAR MORE PREPARED FOR THE TRANSITION TO THE REAL AN
Loosehead prop
So, in March 2016, I decided to apply for a part-time MSc to read Sustainable Development at the University of Oxford. When I was accepted to study at the prestigious university, I was absolutely delighted, but I understood there would be a huge change to my daily routine at Bristol Rugby – my day job! There is a strong focus in professional rugby around player welfare, and retirement planning tops the list of what many guys should prioritise in their down time from training. The Rugby Player Association (RPA) is effectively the professional players’ trade union, and they are incredibly active in their endeavours to support and assist the players for the time when they have to hang up the boots, whether that is through injury or after a long successful professional career. There are plenty of current players at Bristol Rugby club who are either studying at university part time, undertaking work experience or perhaps building their own businesses alongside their rugby careers.
WORLD
Since starting my masters program, it has challenged me in many different ways, although I know that I am not unique in trying to hold down a full-time job while studying. Organising my time, and planning my downtime away from the daily rigours of being a professional sportsman, is the key aspect in aiming to have success in both areas. I try to plan exactly when I will dedicate my time effectively in order to get my head into reading academic journals or essay-writing, especially when impending submission deadlines are looming. Bus trips to away games have changed for me now; instead of sitting and playing cards with the lads at the back of the bus, or putting a film on the laptop, my time is now spent reading for my masters assignments. It’s a sacrifice I am happy to make with the long-term aim of gaining an academic qualification that will hopefully make me far more prepared for the transition to the real world. I am also very fortunate in my employers at Bristol Rugby, who support me fully in my studies and allow me to miss the odd day of training every so often to head up to meet my tutors. Oxford is a truly inspiring place to study, so I am extremely humbled to be a small part in that. To be able to meet people and share ideas and opinion is fantastic, and being able to combine studying with my rugby career has really inspired me. The lessons learned at Oxford – the necessity to show discipline, develop understanding and to communicate effectively are all elements that I can bring back to Bristol Rugby as we strive to maintain our place in the Aviva Premiership. Follow Kyle on Twitter @KyleTraynor www.bristolrugby.co.uk
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 71
F A M I LY L I F E
ZEENA MOOLLA
MOTHER’S DAY No, we’re not a big fan of mummy blogs, either. But we’ll make an honorable exception for ZEENA MOOLLA, host of Made in Bristol’s A Word to the Mothers
I
f there are two words guaranteed to get us running for the hills, it’s ‘mummy blogger’. Actually, most phrases that include the word ‘mummy’ are suspect in our book, unless uttered by an actual under-12-year-old or an Egyptologist. But Bristol journalist-and-motherof-two Zeena is a cut above your standard Mumsnetter. She has a live-and-let-live attitude, and is genuinely funny – which is why her blog A Word to the Mothers has been developed into a TV chat show of the same name. Where do you live? Long Ashton; I work in the city centre, so I get the best of both village and city life. I love that about Bristol – you’re only about a 15-minute drive from a cow and a bit of greenery. What’s the best thing about living there? It’s pretty, friendly and unpretentious. We don’t have any artisan bread, but we do have a Co-op and a cute off-licence called Little Tipple that looks like Santa’s grotto. So we’re all good. And the worst? Being dependant on the bus to get to work. It’s a bit of a lottery. One route is very pleasant and on time, and the other feels like a Channel 4 fly-on-the-wall about Broken Britain. Mummy blogs are ubiquitous; even antimummy-blogs have spread like nappy rash. Why did you begin yours? It’s true – the sweary, wine-swilling, plainspeaking parent blog is everywhere these days. I guess what sets my blog apart is a dark sense of humour and the fact that I’m quite against Earth-mother pressure. The NCT approached me about writing a post for them and then a week later, I got another email saying that, on reflection, my blog was ‘not on-message’ for the NCT. I took that as a badge of honour. How did the blog end up being made into a TV chat show? An executive producer at Made Television saw
one of my posts on Instagram and emailed me, saying he thought that there was potential to do a TV series around my blog. A few months later, I saw myself gurning on telly and flirting horribly with Andy Day from CBeebies. It was great fun, although maybe not so much for Andy Day. Biggest sacrifice you’ve had to make? Freedom! And I’m not talking about the freedom to go clubbing, or abroad on a whim. I would just love the time and space to unload the dishwasher without a two-year-old clamped to my leg like a jilted lover.
I GOT AN EMAIL SAYING MY BLOG WAS ‘NOT ON MESSAGE’ FOR THE NCT. I TOOK THAT AS A BADGE OF HONOUR What single bit of advice would you give someone expecting their first child? Don’t take any advice (would be my advice!) You get a lot of unsolicited opinions and suggestions with your first child, and it can become overwhelmingly irritating. Trust your instincts. You know your kid best. Social media and cute pics of the kids – how much is too much? Fill your Facebook boots. When you’re home on a Saturday night, trying to cut your toenails in between retreating up and downstairs to resettle your baby, it can hit you how much life has changed. And then there are all those cocktail shots and pictures of strobe-lit friends filling up your timeline . . . So, knock yourself out. All those blurry, redeyed, heads-chopped-off baby pics? Post them all, I say.
If we offered to look after your kids (and social services gave us the all-clear, obviously) what would you do with a free day in Bristol? I would go to Boston Tea Party on Gloucester Road and enjoy a coffee with both hands, and while still hot. I’d next head to Waterstones in Broadmead, buy a book and drink more hot coffee in their café, while I read that book. I’d then go to the Watershed and watch something romantic and foreign. If your babysitting offer extended to the evening, I’d hit my local – The Bird in Hand in Long Ashton – and eat some of their fish and chips and drink delicious wine with my partner, Pete. And attempt not to talk about the kids, before proceeding to do precisely that. Your most regrettable habit as a mother? Guilt. When you’re sneaking peeks at your Facebook mobile app when you’re supposed to be playing Snakes and Ladders, or struggling to listen to a long-winded, inconclusive story about a leaf, you can suddenly feel like the worst mum in the world. And your super-power? I can do most accents at the drop of a hat. It can be very helpful when I want to get my kids to pay attention during bedtime stories. In fact, I think a sense of humour is a great super power to have in all aspects of parenting. Tell us about a mother you really admire Holly Willoughby. Yes, really. I know she doesn’t exactly depict a working-mum suffragette or deliver Dalai Lama-esque speeches about motherhood, but that’s exactly why I like her. She also doesn’t do mum platitudes or spout soul-searchy guff. Above her, though, is my sister Sarah: she’s an excellent mother and is my go-to mum for advice.
For more: www.wordtothemothers.com www.madeinbristol.tv
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Shake-ups/launches/intel/promotions
B R IS TO L G E T S S ER I O US
QUOTE OF THE ISSUE
“THE WORLD HAS MOVED ON, AND INDEPENDENT RETAIL HAS TO BE SERVICEDRIVEN”
CHARITY
WHOLLY TRINITY The latest initiative to fund essential repairs to the Trinity Centre gets a shot in the arm from two urban artists This being our love issue, we’re eschewing hard-hitting news about mergers and acquisitions for our lead story, and focusing on a charity close to many people’s hearts. Trinity Centre in Old Market was a pivotal venue in the early days of the Bristol Sound; everyone from Massive Attack to Portishead played here, and many local creatives have pitched in to raise funds for the venue, which now urgently needs finance for refurbishment. Last autumn, Portishead’s Adrian Utley collaborated with musician and producer John Parish on the Notes for Notes appeal. For every £5 raised, the Centre will exchange a virtual music-note. When they reach 4,000 notes, they’ll release The Trinity Anthem, a unique, original piece of music created by Adrian and John in tribute to Trinity’s rich 40-year musical heritage. The latest initiative comes from local urban artist and illustrator Andy Council, best known for his Bristol Dinosaur, who is kindly supporting the charity with an original piece of art that will be made available to buy this month through Trinity’s Crowdfunder
Who offers a seven-day service? See page 79
The piece, entitled Trinity Fox, will be reproduced as signed limited-edition prints, and can be obtained in exchange for a donation amount from 1 February. Support has also come from Jimmy Cauty, previously of the KLF but recently best-known for his travelling Aftermath Dislocation Principle installation, that exhibited at Banksy’s Dismaland in 2015 and came to Trinity last year. Jimmy produced his God Save the Trinity Centre piece to raise money for the venue, and has also gifted the original artwork that will be auctioned in March. The work will be reproduced in both digital and screen prints, to be signed by Jimmy. The money raised will go towards the £650,000 cost of essential repairs to the Trinity towers and the rest of the building, including the roof, stained glass windows and the Bath stone walls. For more: www.3ca.org.uk
9.6% THE BIG NUMBER
Property values in Bristol increased faster than any other major UK city across 2016 according to the Hometrack UK Cities House Price Index, which found values in Bristol increased by 9.6% across the year to December 2016. www.hometrack.com/uk/ insight/uk-cities-houseprice-index
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BUSINESS INSIDER
HEALTH & BEAUTY
HEAD LINES Russell Lambard co-owns HQ Hairdressing in Westburyon-Trym with Cheryl Hancock. The salon is located in the David Lloyd Centre, so there’s no excuse leaving after your workout with limp hair and no make-up . . .
R
ussell co-owns HQ with his business partner Cheryl Hancock. “I’m originally from London, and I trained at Daniel Galvin on Baker Street,” he says. “I moved to Bristol in 2001 to work with Doug Hobbs; after seven years I was inspired to open my own salon.” But it’s not just about hair; not by a long chalk. HQ offers men’s grooming, including wet shaves; beauty treatments ranging from waxing to manicures, facials and spraytanning, alongside alternative therapy such as holistic massage, deep-tissue massage and acupuncture. Hi Russell! We know that you run the salon with Cheryl – what are your main roles, and how do they play to your various strengths? Cheryl and I have been running the salon for five years now and we work really well together. Cheryl specialises in colouring, and I specialise in cutting, so when it comes to training up the staff, as well as catering to customers’ needs, it works very well. We also draw on our joint strengths within the business side of affairs and split all responsibility. How many people do you employ at HQ Hairdressing? There are nine stylists, plus myself and Cheryl.
What makes HQ a standout offering in the Bristol world of health and beauty? Cheryl and I are very fortunate to have such high-quality and experienced stylists working with us at HQ Hairdressing. For customers, the use of David Lloyd facilities is a big bonus.
WE HAVE THE ATTENTION OF 5,000 GYM MEMBERS, AND THE FREE PARKING MAKES A VISIT TOTALLY STRESSFREE What treatments and styles are you especially excited about at the moment? Treatments for strengthening the hair have recently taken off – Olaplex, L’Oreal Pro Fiber, L’Oreal Smartbond, which all build the hair, are really working for us. They help hair to become strong again so we can do much more with different colour techniques. How does working at the David Lloyd Centre work for you – pros and cons? Being a part of David Lloyd, we get the attention of about 5,000 gym members, and
thanks to the free parking, a visit is totally stress-free. How important is social media to your business, and which platform do you find the most effective? Social media really works well for hairdressing businesses, as we can constantly post about new colours, new techniques and new trends. Are you someone who is able to switch off the emails at the weekend? Yes, I can switch off at the weekends. This is time for my family, my partner and two sons. Which famous person’s hair would you love to get your hands on? Jessie J, because she is so adaptable and open to different styles and colours; she’s gone from black to blonde, from very long to very short. It would be amazing to create something really edgy and out-there for her. If you were starting from scratch in the hair and beauty business, is there anything you’d do differently? I know that after five years of being my own boss, the advice I would give myself would be to have a more structured plan first – but everyone has to learn somewhere and learn from their mistakes. For more www.hqhairdressing.com
AMD are an award winning firm Visit our website for details at www.amdsolicitors.com
BUSINESS INSIDER
INTERIORS
LIGHT SPEED AHEAD
A
Lumination has been around for four decades, and under the care of co-owner Gordon Gurr there’s no danger of it resting on its laurels lthough Lumination has been in the lighting business since the mid-1970s, Gordon and Nina Gurr have owned the company for around 20 years. We asked Gordon to tell us a bit more about a business that, despite being so well-established, is now a thoroughly modern, seven-day affair, with a very 21st-century ethos.
Hi Gordon! How much has the company expanded since you took it over and how has this been accomplished? With four stores in Bristol, Cirencester, Taunton and Barnstaple, we have extensive coverage throughout the South West. The addition of our up-to-date and responsive website has made a significant difference to our online visibility and will be the focus of our growth over the next few years.
Can you give us an idea of the number of products you offer? With so many suppliers to support us, the range is in the thousands of designs and fittings. In addition, we do from time to time undertake bespoke lighting commissions. What are the hottest new trends in lighting? LED has in the last few years had a great impact on the market, and lighting styles and designs are changing with this new technology. Exciting new design concepts like our Orion are arriving almost daily, and our job is to keep on top of all the possibilities that exist. The retro look has been popular, and lamps that use an exposed filament (or LED equivalent) sell very well. We keep a wide range of designs of these retro lamps in stock. Copper finish is still on the rise as a fashion movement, but antique and satin nickel remain the most popular. Where is your showroom, and how well does this location work for you? Our lead store is in Bristol where we are located at Gardiner Haskins in Broad Plain close to Cabot Circus. This central Bristol location has been our home for over 20 years. With plenty of on-site free parking this is a great location, making it easy for customers to buy their lighting and then take the opportunity to walk into Cabot Circus, which is just around the corner.
How did you form the current company? The company was formed by us after we relocated to the UK from Beijing, China. I worked throughout the Far East for more than 20 years, in a number of engineering roles representing UK manufacturing companies, including Rolls Royce. What sets Lumination apart, and why should we come to you for our lighting? At Lumination we specialise in lighting for the domestic market. We offer products from more than 20 of the UK and European leading importers and manufacturers, so the range of designs, styles and technical features is almost endless. All our stores are manned by fully trained and experienced staff, who are able to guide and advise customers on their selection of lighting for the home or for commercial applications. We also offer a design service, in which we will visit your home, whether it’s already existing or in construction, to help you get the right location and type of lighting.
THERE HAS BEEN A HUGE SHIFT IN MANUFACTURING OF LIGHTING OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS
Where do you source your products? There has been a huge shift in manufacturing of lighting over the last 20 years. From a European-dominated industry in the past, now approximately 70% of lighting is produced in China. We source lighting from 10 suppliers in China who we visit annually for quality audit and the development of new designs. In addition, we source some products from Spain and the Czech Republic, as well as from UK-based importers and distributors.
What kind of after-sales service do you offer? Our after-sales support is located at our warehouse in Wellington in Somerset, where we have our workshops and trained engineering staff. We carry out all sorts of repairs, from the simple replacement of lamp holders and leads to full chandelier restoration. All repairs are extensively tested in accordance with latest industry guidelines.
How much time do you spend on marketing versus practical work? Our business is service-led, providing support to our customers whether it be through our design service, through sales staff engaged on the shop floor or through website enquiries and contact.
How important is social media to your business? Social media is developing rapidly and we have just launched our new fully responsive website, which will help customers research before and after their visit to the store(s). Buying online or in-store, click and collect or home delivery are all features of our offering making buying from Lumination as convenient and reliable as possible. Are you someone who switches off the emails at the weekend and in the evening? The world has moved on, and independent retail has to be servicedriven in order to be relevant. We are a seven-day-a-week company, with email monitoring from 8am to 11pm, and sometimes later.
For more www.lumination.co.uk
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BUSINESS INSIDER
BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS
HURRY! AWARDS NOMINATIONS CLOSE SOON! You’ll have to hurry if you want to nominate your company for the Bristol Life Awards; the deadline is under a month away, on Friday 3 March. Entries have been flowing in and are tracking some way above expectation. It is free to enter and companies can enter themselves in more than one category. We are running a free How to Win a Bristol Life Award seminar at Veale Wasbrough Vizards on 15 February – details of the presentation will be on the Awards site. And the Awards have received a major boost with a further three new sponsors. Juice Recruitment has taken the New Business category; Fleurets is sponsoring Restaurant; and Triangle Networks has the Creative category. They join our Headline Sponsor, Bristol Airport, and other sponsors Guy Salmon Jaguar/Land Rover, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, The Alternative Board, SDS, Clear River, Burston Cook, SAM FM, Clifton Marquee Company, Park Furnishers and Enlightened Lighting. And HGEM has signed as an Associate, joining RBS and Quarter. “Our own ambition level keeps rising as the support and excitement about the Awards mounts,” said Steph Dodd, event manager at MediaClash, Bristol Life’s publisher. “We encourage all Bristol companies and organisations to come forward with your nominations – and please don’t leave it until the last minute!” The Bristol Life Awards are on April 27 and will take place in a huge marquee in Lloyds Amphitheatre. For sponsorship enquiries, please contact steve.grigg@mediaclash.co.uk Or to be involved on the night, it’s stephanie.dodd@mediaclash.co.uk Full details are on the site www.bristollifeawards.co.uk with updates on Twitter @BristolLifeAwds
BRISTOL LIFE AWARDS AT A GLANCE What: Highly distinctive, glamorous celebration of the best of Bristol’s businesses and organisations. When, where: 27 April 2017 in a massive, purpose-built marquee at Lloyds Amphitheatre Which sectors: Arts, Business Services, Café/Coffee Shop, Cocktail/Bar, Charity, Creative, Education, Event, Food/Drink producer, Gastropub, Hair & Beauty, Health, Interiors, Legal and Financial, Leisure & Tourism, New Business, Property, Restaurant, Retailer and Technology & Innovation. Plus Platinum award for best individual winner. Who can win? Anyone – Awards are open to all How do I enter? Nominations via the site; winners chosen by independent judges And who are those Judges? Alison Bracey (Bracey Interiors), Dominic Davis (Burges Salmon), Emma Stenning (Bristol Old Vic), George Cardale (Savills), Graham Brown (Plaster), Josh Eggleton (Pony & Trap), Monika Radclyffe (The Bristol SETsquared Centre), Sarah Mead (Yeo Valley), Sarah Robertson (Colston Hall) and Tim Greene (Clifton College). Sponsors: Headline – Bristol Airport. Current sponsors: The Alternative Board, Veale Wasbrough Vizards, Park Furnishers, Clear River, Guy Salmon Land Rover/Jaguar Bristol, SDS, Burston Cook, SAM FM, Enlightened Lighting and Clifton Marquee Company, plus Associates RBS and Quarter. Next steps: Nominations are now open and Early Bird tickets and tables are available, as are sponsorships. Key dates: Finalists revealed March 7; Finalists’ Reception March 20; Awards April 27; Winners Dinner in May Latest: www.bristollifeawards.co.uk @BristolLifeAwds
80 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
WANT MORE? Sign up now for the Bristol Life newsletter Our aim at Bristol Life is to highlight all that’s best about the city – its events, places and people. To keep readers even more up-to-date about what’s happening in Bristol, we’ve launched a new, free, Friday email newsletter with news, tips and special offers. (Note: we’ll never share your data with any third parties). So, if you’d like a friendly weekly hello from us in your inbox as the weekend beckons, sign up today: www.mediaclash.co.uk/magazines/ local-magazines/bristol-life
BUSINESS
TEMPLE QUARTER
IN THE
ZONE
Bristol Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone, how you’ve grown! From driverless car technology to cutting-edge animation, all kinds of services and creative businesses have flocked to this area – so what’s the appeal? And what does the future hold? By L I SA WA R R E N
An aerial view of the BTQEZ – artist impression by City Design Group and Richard Carman
84 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
XXXXX
WE ARE AIMING TO CREATE A SUSTAINABLE AND FLOURISHING NEW URBAN QUARTER FOR BRISTOL: A PLACE THAT IS WELCOMING TO ALL – TO LIVE, WORK, ENJOY LEISURE TIME AND BUILD ON BRISTOL’S STRENGTHS AS A WORLD CLASS CITY MARVIN REES, MAYOR OF BRISTOL
PROPERTY
T
hey’re certainly an eclectic bunch, the 400+ businesses in the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone. And while they cover an impressively wide range of sectors, there’s a particular focus on digital, creative, hi-tech, low-carbon and professional services; the Quarter is also fast becoming a hub for start-up and early-stage businesses. We asked Councillor Helen Holland, Bristol City Council Cabinet Member for Place to take the current pulse of the area, and to give us a glimpse of what the future holds. “The Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone needs to work for the whole city, providing jobs and training for local people and improving access to employment opportunities,” says Helen. “The number of businesses is constantly growing and that’s why it’s such good news that new developments are coming on apace – such as phases III and IV at Paintworks, Engine Shed 2 and The Anvil. It is difficult to say how many businesses can be accommodated as this depends on the size of businesses, but there is space in the zone for over 210,000sqm of commercial space.” w
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BUSINESS
TEMPLE QUARTER
So many businesses are moving into the BTQEZ. What is the attraction? There’s an incredible, supportive business community in the Enterprise Zone, boosted by hubs such as Engine Shed, Entrepreneurial Spark and Paintworks. The opportunity to be part of such a community, with so many networking and collaborative events, is a big draw for businesses – especially startups. The area also boasts superfast broadband, proximity to excellent transport links and benefits – such as simplified planning and business rates reductions. Plus, there’s a chance to be based in one of the most rapidly-changing parts of the city, which is pretty exciting. Which are the biggest employers? Several large employers are based in Temple Quarter, including OVO Energy, Osborne Clarke, Burges Salmon and PwC. To date, over 3,000 jobs have been attracted to the area. Late last year HMRC formally signed an agreement to lease a building at 3 Glass Wharf for 25 years, and is planning to move 1,250 staff to the new premises – which will make them one of the largest employers. What does the future hold for Temple Quarter, and what new developments are on the horizon? In the past year, several ambitious building projects have secured planning approval: Assembly Bristol, the Anvil and Phase IV of Paintworks, to name a few. In 2017, we can also expect to see the opening of science incubator Unit DX and the start of work on the second phase of Engine Shed, which will aim to create opportunities for local people and support young entrepreneurs. In April, the Enterprise Zone is set to be expanded. This means that more businesses will be able to save on business rates, and the retained business rates could help contribute to the future redevelopment of Temple Meads station. We also have the University of Bristol’s new Temple Quarter Campus to look forward to, and – of course – the Bristol Arena that is expected to open in 2020. What effect, if any, will the decision not to electrify the line as far as Temple Meads have? Especially as the planned 20 minutes time-saving to and from London will now not be happening? The decision to delay electrification of the line to Temple Meads was extremely disappointing and we are determined to work with Network Rail and government to make sure it happens as soon as possible. However, the Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone remains one of the best-connected Enterprise Zones in the country and the value this brings to businesses cannot be underestimated. The road infrastructure and parking is limited and traffic build up is becoming difficult; what improvements are the council going to fund to ensure this business area has access? Bristol City Council is working on a £20m 86 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Above: who do we have to talk to to get a work station like these ones in Engine Shed? Opposite from top: The new Arena will mark the regeneration of a derelict site; Paintworks; summertime in the BTQEZ
THE
TEMPLE
QUARTER ENTERPRISE
ZONE REMAINS ONE OF
THE BESTCONNECTED ENTERPRISE ZONES IN THE
COUNTRY
programme of infrastructure projects. This will boost access to the area, improve the provision of sustainable transport options and make sure that the highway network can support the anticipated growth in job numbers. In spring this year, work will begin on the remodelling of the Temple Circus roundabout, a project that will create a simplified road layout and free up space for new buildings and public space. We have also made improvements to Cattle Market Road and have projects planned at Bath Bridges and around the arena site. The area will also benefit from the MetroBus and MetroWest projects that will help connect citizens with jobs in the Enterprise Zone. When the Arena eventually gets built, how will it impact the Temple Quarter area? The council is committed to delivering an arena. It will be a landmark development, and will consequently have an enormous impact on the area. It will bring millions of pounds into Bristol annually, through additional business activity, increased hotel occupancy and other related spend. It will also mark the regeneration of a derelict city-centre site, and be a catalyst for further development, creating jobs and training opportunities for our citizens and stimulating growth. Over time, the area will become a new destination for Bristol residents and visitors, and will connect with other new spaces nearby that are due for development to create a new quarter for the city. Are there any other areas you have visited or worked in that are comparable to Temple Quarter, either as it is now or how it will be when it is finished? We draw on the experience of many regeneration projects around the UK and abroad for inspiration and advice. With Bristol Temple Meads at its heart and a new University of Bristol Campus planned, its potential has been compared with the successful King’s Cross development. However, Bristol Temple
TEMPLE QUARTER
BUSINESS
Quarter is unique and brings its own particular challenges as well as significant opportunities. How far is Temple Quarter from maximum capacity at the moment, and what will happen when you run out of space? There is plenty of space within the Temple Quarter for development; however, the challenge is being able to bring forward development quick enough to meet demand. In particular, the kind of space offered at Engine Shed for start-up businesses is in great demand, which is why we are working with Skanska, the University of Bristol and SETSquared to develop Engine Shed 2. Is there anything in particular about Bristol in general that increasingly attracts businesses? Bristol is one of the most historically inventive cities in the UK: vibrant, dynamic and home to a mix of internationally-acclaimed cultural institutions, world-class festivals and events. It is also home to two prestigious universities, has one of the highest levels of graduate retention in the UK, offers the most competitive and productive economy of any large English city outside of London and access to an available workforce of 600,000. Why is it so appealing to start-up companies in particular? The existing cluster of businesses is a massive draw for start-up companies. The opportunity to collaborate, share ideas and meet with other companies in a similar position is invaluable in the early stages of a business, and this is something in which Temple Quarter really excels. SETsquared, which was recently named the best university business incubator in the world, has its Bristol branch in the Enterprise Zone, as does Entrepreneurial Spark, the world’s largest free business accelerator for early stage and growing ventures. Many think that with Brexit and other factors on the horizon, hard times lie ahead. How is Temple Quarter and the businesses within preparing to cope, or are they unlikely to be affected? Are you concerned that the likes of RBS, Natwest and Bank of Ireland may relocate to France? As a diverse city with the fastest growing economy outside of London, Bristol has a lot to feel positive about for the future. We are working with city partners to make sure that businesses are supported and we are also lobbying government to free up cities to give them freedom to generate growth. We have a resilient regional economy, which isn’t reliant on any single type of business but, of course, we wish to retain the businesses that are based here and we will do all we can to support them and influence government where possible.
For more: www.bristoltemplequarter.com
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l o t S i r B t r a T s e M o h A Be ! r E e t n U l o V Start Bristol, you’ll be a When you volunteer for Home m get back on their feet lifeline for a family: helping the d to cope in the future. and develop the skills they nee ndent registered charity Home Start Bristol is an indepe h at least one child under supporting struggling families wit s and carefully match five. We recruit and train volunteer them with local families.
nexT voLuntEer CourSe sTartS 27 apRil, 10-2pm! Our popular, accredited Volunteer Preparation courses are held 3 times a year, with each course running for 36 hours over 9 weeks. Course times are designed to tie in with the school day and volunteers are asked to attend just once a week. At the end of the last course, 100% of volunteers said they would recommend it to a friend, and what’s more, it carries a Level 2 Accreditation. This qualification, combined with the experience gained working with us, can act as a wonderful stepping stone into future careers.
PARENTS AND GRANDPARENTS HAVE THE EXPERIENCE TO MAKE GREAT VOLUNTEERS During the 30 years of Home Start’s work in Bristol and South Gloucestershire, we’ve helped thousands of families. By encouraging and involving parents in their own support planning, we see parents and families grow in confidence. And when this happens, children flourish....
eEr t n U Vol Ay! tod
2017 its our 3 annIverS 0tH ary!
We couldn’t carry out this vital work without you, so if you are a parent or grandparent, and can spare 2-3 hours a week to do something amazing, contact us today.
YOU REALLY WILL BE CHANGING LIVES.
April Course Venue: Ilminster Avenue Specialist Nursery and Children’s Centre, Knowle, Bristol BS4 1HR. Call 0117 950 1170 | www.homestartbristol.org.uk | Find Us On Facebook
THE SUPPORT IS FANTASTIC “After seeing a close friend go through post-natal depression I felt I wanted to help other mums. The course exceeded my expectations. It wasn’t always easy but the support was, and still is, fantastic”. - Rachel, volunteer
a d v ertisin g feature L AW
wedding daze?
Pre-nup, post-nup; what's the difference, and why do I need one, or both? Let NICOLA WALKER of Irwin Mitchell tell you more
I
n recent years family lawyers have reported that there has been an increasing demand for pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. Bristol family law partner Nicola Walker confirms that she has a regular stream of clients who wish to enter into pre-nuptial agreements before they marry and also use post-nuptial agreements as part of their private wealth planning during the course of their marriage. Traditionally, pre-nuptial agreements have been considered unromantic. But given that no two couples are the same, the evergrowing entrepreneurial culture in the UK, and increasingly complex financial situations, it is now considered an essential part of sensible wealth planning. Pre-nuptial agreements are particularly popular with those entering into second marriages or where they have children from previous relationships. Many couples have their own individual businesses and wish to keep them separate, even if they have some joint matrimonial finances. There are many different reasons why people consider taking control of their finances by drafting a pre-nuptial agreement. Ultimately, this pragmatic approach ensures that in the sad event that the marriage comes to an end, there is no uncertainty about the division of assets; particularly those that haven’t been accrued as a result of joint matrimonial endeavours. Nicola agrees that they are a sensible step for couples to take, and maintains that, contrary to popular belief, they actually demonstrate an openness and balance in a relationship. Recent case law on pre-nuptial agreements has meant that they are now very robust, and can give couples a high degree of confidence that in the event of separation that they are reliable. Although courts retain a discretion of
“It is now quite common for couples to enter into post-nuptial agreements”
determining whether a pre-nuptial agreement should be relied upon, with good legal advice, and adherence to certain principles, then prenuptial agreements can form an integral part of financial planning for the future. It is essential if considering a pre-nuptial agreement that both parties make the decision to enter into one, well in advance of any wedding. Also, that each party appoints their own separate lawyers to advise them on the contents and drafting of the pre-nuptial agreement. It is helpful for couples if they have considered in advance what they want to achieve. Lawyers can help couples to be extremely creative and constructive in the way that pre-nuptial agreements are put together so that they not only provide protection in the event of separation, but set clear foundations for how the couple will run finances moving forward. It is now quite common for couples to enter into post-nuptial agreements. They can also be used to complement tax and inheritance planning arrangements, proving useful, for example, if other family members are gifting sums of money, property or business interests to one party in the marriage or if parties enter into tax-planning arrangements and are setting up trusts.
Our Bristol team are experienced with the issues involved for couples in their financial planning, and particularly in relation to prenuptial and post-nuptial agreements. In fact, as part of one of the largest private wealth firms in the UK, there is very little we can’t help you with. Please do get in touch with Nicola or her team if you’d like any further information.
Nicola Walker 0117 9261 584 nicola.walker@irwinmitchell.com @irwinmitchell www.irwinmitchell.com One Castlepark, Tower Hill, Bristol, BS2 0JA. For a full list of our offices visit our website. Irwin Mitchell LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 89
PROPERTY
SHOWCASE
112 I CLIFTON LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
SHOWCASE
PROPERTY
SHORE THING As Lakeshore’s new East Wing phase goes on sale, we revisit one of the city’s most impressive new housing developments – a surprisingly rural oasis in urban south Bristol By L I SA WA R R E N
www.mediaclash.co.ukI ICLIFTON BRISTOLLIFE LIFE I I 113 93 www.mediaclash.co.uk
PROPERTY
SHOWCASE
Y
ou’re not imagining it. It’s not déjà vu. We’ve featured Lakeshore in these pages before when it was launched in 2012, and we make no apology for revisiting it – it’s still one of the best new developments we’ve come across. Besides, the latest phase – the new East Wing – has recently gone on sale. After two decades of lying derelict, the former Tobacco Factory in Hartcliffe (no, not the Tobacco Factory in Southville, do keep up) was converted into 286 ecoapartments; one of the most exciting – and sustainable – residential developments in Bristol for over a generation. The factory was originally built in the 1970s by renowned Chicago architects Skidmore Owing Merrill, following a design inspired by the Modernist architect movement – in particular, the work of Mies van der Rohe. The building is Grade II, making it one of the youngest listed buildings in the country; as such, it merited the most careful kind of reinvention. This it duly received from multi-award-winning regeneration company Urban Splash, who drew on the talents of Ferguson Mann Architects to realise a vision for a superior eco-property that would offer “city living within a country park”. Lakeshore, which rejoices in the address of Crox Bottom, offers a community of studio, one- and twobedroom flats, set in landscaped gardens of 10 acres, overlooking a lake that has been “stocked with fish for a lazy afternoon’s fishing”. A pontoon means that you can sit on the end and dangle your feet in the water, if you’re hard enough to take on Percy the pike. There are allotments, BBQ areas, an outdoor gym and nature trails; there’s an orchard, wildflower meadow, woodland, bird and bat boxes, along with “a route to keep you healthy, and areas for you to laze and loaf”. There’s even a boules area! Boules! In Hartcliffe! But then, “Lakeshore looks to the past and points to the future,” say 94 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
Inside and out; the main building was converted into apartments in 2012; behold some of the show interiors in the new East Wing
HOUSE NUMBERS
16
new apartments
670
sq ft The amount of space in each onebed apartment
£165K price
2
levels
10
acres communal gardens
the team at Urban Splash – frequently described as one of the most progressive and fashionable firms working in the industry today. “A 1970s architectural gem, it’s monumental yet intimate; it’s urban, at the same time it’s rural – we like that contradiction,” they say. The new East Wing contains 16 one-bedroom apartments spread over two levels all with full-height windows overlooking the lake. The generous open-plan apartments all have a balcony, and come with the option to purchase a parking space – yes, there’s a multi-storey car park, but also, chiming with the sustainable vision, there’s also a bicycle rack for every resident. Prices at the East Wing start at £165,000, and Help to Buy is available. The properties are being sold off-plan, with building works scheduled for completion this spring. There are many ways to bag yourself a piece of Lakeshore, from buying outright to shared ownership to renting; the builders have even come up with a scheme to get first-time buyers onto the property ladder. A word of warning; the flats tend to sell very quickly. Did we mention the affordability factor? “Normally, only the very rich could afford to live somewhere as special as this, but we have created a scheme that will be available to every kind of person, from every walk of life,” says Urban Splash chairman Tom Bloxham. Affordable, green and supremely cool, and in up-andcoming South Bristol, Lakeshore is just over three miles from the city centre. No pressure, but you may like to know that it’s shorter, and quicker, by bike. o decades of lying derelict, the Tobacco Factory in South Bristol has been Savills, 20 The Mall,converted Clifton BS8into 4DR286 eco- apartments. 0117 933 5800; www.savills.co.uk
l re as m tf ai ou n r in g
These 3 bedroom penthouses benefit from secure private parking and have been restored to the highest specification. Book your viewing today with dedicated parking available.
3 bedroom penthouse apartments available from ÂŁ599,950
01179 102351
a d v ertisin g feature P R O P E R T Y
Looking for a new home? Why not use Help to Buy to secure your dream home at CREST NICHOLSON’S Paintworks?
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re you hunting for the perfect home in Bristol? With Help to Buy you could don’t have to compromise when it comes to owning your dream home at Crest Nicholson’s outstanding Paintworks development. Located in the heart of Bristol’s creative quarter, Paintworks is one of a kind. This eclectic development contains a stylish selection of apartments and houses to suit all needs and tastes. These contemporary homes have been built to the highest specification, with elegant interior finishes and modern appliances. Buying with the Help to Buy scheme enables you to take a bigger step up the property ladder. Under the initiative, you could be eligible for an interest-free equity loan for up to 20% of the property value* and with just 5% deposit. The remaining 75% is covered
by a mortgage allowing you to purchase your dream home for less. Available on new build homes worth up to £600,000, Help to Buy is not just for first time buyers. There has never been a better time to get on the property ladder, so why settle for a two-bedroom apartment with monthly mortgage payments of £995 pcm**, when using Help to Buy, for just £976.61 pcm*** you could take that next step into a spacious three-bedroom house? Situated on the banks of the Avon River, Paintworks is brilliantly located in an established community, surrounded by galleries, restaurants and pubs all with an urban feel. The development is just half a mile from Temple Meads station, which has direct train links to London and Cardiff. Crest Nicholson’s Paintworks provides you with a unique, stylish place to live but also
introduces you to an established cultured community. BL
Prices for a home at Paintworks start from £245,000. Why not visit our sales and marketing suite, open daily between 10am and 5pm, to discuss your options with one of our sales advisors? For more info, please call 0117 2444070, email Paintworks@crestnicholson. com or visit www.crestnicholson.com/ developments/paintworks
www.mediaclash.co.uk I BRISTOL LIFE I 99
Bristol & Clifton's premier Commercial Property Agents Keep up-to-date with our latest news, deals, testimonials and market comment at our website: www.burstoncook.co.uk QUEENS ROAD, CLIFTON
PROMINENT RETAIL UNIT
❖ Prime Clifton shop
❖ Large prominent shop
xcellent trading position ❖E close to the University
usy neighbourhood area ❖B of BS6
❖ 586 sq ft sales
❖ 1,841 sq ft (inc store)
❖ New lease
❖ Rent on application
BERKELEY SQ, CLIFTON
WHITELADIES ROAD
❖ Stunning period property
❖ Shop for sale
❖ 3,266 sq ft + 7 car spaces
❖ Rare opportunity
❖ D1 use
❖ £250,000
❖T o let – terms on application
etting also considered ❖L £18,500 pax
FOR SALE – CLIFTON
CLIFTON VILLAGE
❖ Prominent studio building
❖ Shop to rent
❖ Office and medical use + residential potential
❖ Fitted as a hair salon
❖ 1,162 sq ft
❖ Only £9,000 pax
❖ New lease
❖ Freehold – Guide O/A
PORTLAND VIEW, DEAN STREET, BRISTOL, BS2
QUEEN SQUARE – BS1 pen plan office suite ❖O + 1 car space
New contemporary office ❖2 units
❖ 1,568 sq ft
❖ 368 sq ft & 560 sq ft
❖ New refurbishment
❖ New flexible leases
❖ New lease
❖ Great space…
Julian Cook FRICS
Jayne Rixon MRICS
(0117) 934 9977
CLIFTON OFFICES TO LET
THE OLD JAIL, BEDMINSTER
❖ Light and airy office suite
❖ Industrial workshop unit
❖ 737 sq ft
❖ 5,611 sq ft
❖ Only £8,500 pax
❖ Flexible lease
❖ Flexible short lease
❖ Rent on application
Charlie Kershaw MRICS
Finola Ingham MRICS
Tom Coyte BA Hons
• • • • •
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• • • • •
Development advice Investment Dilapidations Property Marketing Auction Services
BRISTOL LIVES
Q&A
A
ccording to DJ Kam Kelly, SAM FM is the best radio station out there for Bristol. We’re on board with that; its classic indie offering and superior commentary is miles away from the Smashy & Nicey local-radio norm, and tops anything else within a 100-mile radius. Maybe even further. As we’re sure you know, Kam does the breakfast show; they do say he’s a bit of a flirt . . . Describe the SAM FM offering in five words Real Music. Best Banter. Bristol. Please finish the sentence: “Local radio will always be important, because….” ? . . . it will always be in people’s lives. I made the mistake of leaving Bristol when London came calling in 2005. Ever since then I have been trying to come back. There is no other city that matches its atmosphere, excitement and general Bristolness. Without local radio, how is that kind of feeling supposed to be reflected to Bristolians? [Apart from via this mag, obv] How did the station develop into the SAM we know and love today? We listen to our listeners, and want to give them the very best, so we are always looking for new and better ways to do things. If listeners express a particular like or dislike for something, we’ll do more or less of it; it’s the most democratic station I’ve ever worked for. We believe real music really matters, so we work hard to make sure we play better music than everyone else. What kind of hours do you work? Sorry, I don’t understand the question. What does the word ‘work’ mean? Best thing about the job? I fell in love with Bristol when I was working at Galaxy back in the day. The best thing about presenting the SAM FM breakfast show is that I have been able to come home. And the worst? The hours are pretty brutal but I really haven’t got that much to complain about. Plus, they accommodate afternoon drinking. Describe the office vibe during the early shift What’s lush is being in an office (albeit an empty one at 5am when I get in) that’s full of people. In most local radio stations now, there’s a skeleton staff, with empty desks and no atmosphere. Our office is constantly buzzing, and I’m pretty sure that’s due to the Celador [the owners of SAM FM] work ethic.
KAM KELLY Hey, listen up to your local DJ You better hear what he’s got to say How many people work in the Bristol station, and what’s the breakdown of roles? Somewhere between 15 and 20 work here. There are digital folk, marketing, news, sales, programming, production and another department that’s unique to Celador Radio: the KEM (Kam Ego Massaging) department employs 30 (exhausted) people. How would you sum up the unique SAM character and style? I genuinely wouldn’t know how to put it in to words (which is pretty great for a guy who uses the English language as one of his main tools of the trade). It’s everything I wanted it to be in the city that I wanted to be back in. If it’s half as much fun to listen to as it is to work there, then I reckon it’ll continue to thrive. You, Downsey, Damien and co deliver a superior, slick DJ offering that’s miles away from the awkward local radio stereotype. Is this something you’re especially proud of? That’s ridiculously kind of you... Damien says that about me too, so he’ll be stoked that someone’s said that about him, bless him. What is your own role in the company? My role is what it’s always been, really: I’m a bloke on the radio who lucked out – again! Of course, my other role is Alice Crocker’s tea
106 I BRISTOL LIFE I www.mediaclash.co.uk
boy. It’s ridiculously specific. Seriously, it’s the kind of tea that’d make builders go: ‘too strong for me, mate’. Its consistency makes mud seem like water. She’s hardcore... and only I can do her tea right – well, at work anyway. Is it true that you’d flirt with a lamp post? Nah, everything on radio is a little exaggerated. It’s a long, drawn-out answer, to be fair; there aren’t enough column inches for it, but I can explain it over cocktails tonight. I’m thinking Corn Street . . .? OK, Milk Thistle, 8pm. How important is social media to you and SAM? Social media is massively important to the conversation between us and our listeners. Facebook/samfmbristol and twitter @samfmbristol are the most popular ways for our listeners to get in touch with us. We’re quietly thrilled that SAM is doing the Bristol Life Awards after-show bash on 27 April. What can we expect on the night? A ******* good party!
The Kam Kelly Breakfast show on SAM FM 106.5 Weekdays from 6am For more www.samfm.co.uk/bristol
SALE - UP TO 50% OFF
We make bespoke sofas and upholstery and curtains in our own factory in Bristol and design and make painted or solid pine or oak cabinet furniture from standard ranges or made to measure and to you own or our designs. 25% off wardrobes, sofas and cabinet furniture made to order. 50% off ex-display. Curtains and Blinds
 Sofas and Fabrics
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We are just past Clifton Down Shopping Centre 56/60, Whiteladies Rd, BS8 2PY Mon-Sat 9.30 - 5.30/Sun 12 - 5
TEL: 01173 292746
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