More stores close at Broadwalk

THE Broadwalk Shopping Centre was built in the 1970s for an era dominated by car travel and big-box retail stores. That era has passed, and the shopping centre has been in decline for several years – falling into administration in 2019. A new vibrant neighbourhood destination has now been proposed for the heart of Knowle.

The new development is still within the planning process and B&M and M W Freshfoods have decided to close their stores in the Broadwalk Shopping Centre at the end of the lease, vacating the units in early April 2023.

Several stores have left the centre in recent years because units are too big and have no flexibility to adapt to retailers.

Will Appleby (MW Freshfoods): said “It’s with great sadness that I have to close my shop MW Freshfoods. I have been here for twenty-three years and have enjoyed good trading. Unfortunately, retail has become more and more challenging in the centre; with the rising costs of produce and utilities along with declining footfall, profit margins are being squeezed to the point that during the summer holidays we were working only to cover the costs. I have enjoyed a good rapport with my customers and will miss them.”

A planning application was submitted in August 2022 to transform the centre. The proposed Redcatch Quarter will provide a thriving neighbourhood destination complete with a community hub- including a new library and community café, a dedicated restaurant area overlooking the park, flexible commercial and retail space, essential services such as a local supermarket, dentist and pharmacy, urgently needed new homes and the only neighbourhood cinema in South Bristol.

Cllrs Gary Hopkins and Chris Davies, of the Knowle Community Party, commented: “We know that the centre owners have been trying their best to support tenants but of course the shops are expensive to run and the present owners bought the site from administration. Let’s be very clear that the previous ownership went bankrupt and the present centre owners are losing money every month.”

“Every shop that closes increases their monthly loss and it is regrettable that planning delays will only make this worse. So it is ridiculous that the Knowle Labour Party have written to every member of the Planning Committee suggesting action that would lead to further long delays. They also wanted the Planning Committee to act against the law by considering non-planning issues. ”