It’s the city’s business
BRISTOLWORKS From Gopal’s to the Galli, to Bristol’s many indie shops: make it a local one this Christmas
The big number
£3.8M
Indies rock’n’roll
I
t’s hardly stop-press news that we need to support our independent shops, restaurants and cafés more than ever this Christmas – and to that end, dozens of small Bristol businesses have massively upped their online game,. We’ve almost lost count of all the excellent and creative solutions out there. During Lockdown1, for example, local wesbite wearebs3.co.uk collated the offerings of many edminster shops on one handy portal. More recently, a social campaign created by Konichiwa Agency has created an accessible guide to help Bristol’s independent businesses during the current weirdness. The campaign is centred around championing and supporting local independent
businesses, and has gained a following of around 6k across platforms, with 20k Bristolians interacting with the #actlocalbristol hashtag. “Indies in Bristol is a really simple online platform that captures the essence of all the vibrant, diverse businesses within the city,” says Konichwa’s Ursula Hutchinson. With helpful tips for local indies to try on social, Konichiwa has forefronted affordable and often free ways to help the Bristolian independent community. For more: @IndiesinBristol. A retail initiative spearheaded by Beck of ethical Old Market shop Prior has a similar, citywide mission in the form of shopbristol.co.uk, in which 23 Bristol independent gift and lifestyle stores have joined forces to launch a
campaign to shop locally, online. For more: shopbristol.co.uk Thirdly, we have the Bristol Indie Weekend, a festive shopping event taking place from 20-22 November, encouraging shoppers to shop from Bristol’s local businesses when buying gifts this year. 20 shops are involved, each of them offering a special treat for shoppers, from an exclusive discount to a gift with purchases, or ra e tickets with the opportunity to win a prize bundle. As Joh Rindom of That Thing says, “Shopping small doesn’t just make you feel good; it’s also doing good. When you’re shopping from independent stores, your money goes directly back into the local economy.” For more: inbristol.guide
Landmark art gallery the Royal West of England Academy (RWA) has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund grant of £1.37m towards its £3.8m heritage project, Light & Inspiration in Bristol, which will help to preserve the building and transform access to art for all. “We are thrilled to have received this support,” said RWA director Alison Bevan. “Without this project there was a real risk the RWA would have had to close its doors, not just for lockdown, but permanently, and instead it is now set to achieve its potential as a major regional gallery.” For more: rwa.org.uk
Virtual one hour sessions, all free to attend Search Bristol Life on LinkedIn for upcoming dates and registration If you would like to get involved, please email events@mediaclash.co.uk
