Civic Enterprise Challenge:

'Re-imagining the High Street: Engaging Communities and Sustaining Success'

Fact Sheet: Park Street (including Queens Road and Clifton Triangle)

Area / Geography / Architecture

Park Street, one of Bristol’s most well-known shopping streets,is part of a long, mainly linear shopping area, which stretches from St Augustine’s Parade in the east, past College Green on its north-east side, up the steep hill of Park Street, around the three sides of Clifton Triangle andup to Brandon Hill, one of Bristol’s most prominent landscape features with spectacular city-wide views.

Park Street’s steep slope is characterised by the terraced 18th century residential townscape, and its iconic views up to Wills Memorial Tower.

Retail / Entertainment

Although not on the same large scale as Broadmead, The Galleries, Quakers Friar and Cabot Circus combined, the area is the second largest retail area in the city centre in terms of retail content, and a genuine alternative destination. It comprises a wide range of retailers including multiples and unusual independents.

Alongside daytime activities there is a vibrant night time economy. The area features a number of restaurants, cafes, Public Houses, music-venues, bars and clubs and the well-known Folk House Adult Education Centre.

In support, other important non-retail attractions and footfall generators in or close to the area at its west end include the Bristol Museum and Art Gallery, the University of Bristol, The Royal West of England Academy of Art, and Victoria Rooms. At its east end the non-retail attractions include City Hall and College Green, Bristol Cathedral and (a little further away) Harboursideand the Old City.

Accessibility

The area is well served by buses and is also very accessible by car. On street car parking is limited but various public car parks are nearby. The good accessibility by car, however, can distract from the visitor experience.

Challenges

Footfall, dwell-timeand spendin the area has significantly declined over the last years, due to the economic downturn, the closure of important anchor stores such as Habitat, the opening of Cabot Circus and out of town shopping, the dominance of through traffic, and a shifting consumer spend away from the high street.

Rents and rates are relatively high, and the retail property vacancy rate lies with 9.9% (Oct 13) significantly above the citywide vacancy rate of 7.5%.

To attract more visitors and shoppers, the Park Street area must identify its USP and develop a clear identity/brand as a distinct destination rather than yet another interchangeable retail area.

We are looking for unusual ways to develop the Park Street brand and its unique offering, working with businesses, the community, the City Council and other relevant stakeholders.

Questions:

1 How many businesses are there within your patch?

Approximately 200 – a mix of multiples and independents

2 What types of business?

Queens Road and the Triangle are predominantly governed by national chain retailers in the middle to upper market range:

  • Local supermarkets are Sainsburys Central, Little Waitrose and Wilkinson’s.
  • Quality fashion retailers include Jack Wills, Sweaty Beatty, White Stuff, Austin Reed, Kathmandu and Jones Bootmaker.
  • There are alsomany other national multiple retailers selling comparison goods, includingBoots, Body Shop and Space NK.
  • There is a wide range ofeating and drinking establishments including Browns, Pizza Express, Costa Coffee, Café Nero,Subway, Wetherspoons, Pret a Manger and Wagamama.
  • Service providers include travel agents, banks, hairdressers and mobile phone shops.
  • The independent sector is growing in the area with outlets such as Rise Music or Friska Food.

Park Streetis a location both for independents and specialists selling unique fashion, jewellery, music and homeware as well as some upmarket multiples:

  • Shops include The Bootroom, Sobeys, BS8, Love from Random, The Kooples, Whistles, TM Lewin, L’Occitane, Moss, Jigsaw, Reiss, Fat Face, Hobgoblin Music, Fopp Recordings, Diana Porter Jewellery and the upmarket independent homeware store Bristol Guild.
  • The area also boosts a wide range of independent and national cafes, restaurants, bars and clubs that serve both the day and night time economy.Operators include Java, The Mauretania, Bar Antix, Boston Tea Party, Café Rouge, Nandos, Mission Burrito, Goldbrick House, The Elbow Room, Jamie’s Italian and the well know Folk House Adult Education Centre.

3 What are the key challenges to community engagement/business sustainability?

Declining footfall, dwell-time and spend in the area due to the economic downturn, the closure of important anchor stores such as Habitat, the opening of Cabot Circus and out of town shopping, the dominance of through traffic, and a shifting consumer spend away from the high street.

No clear USP/positioning/identity/ within the city’s retail & leisure offer.

High business rates and rents.

4 What are the key facts/features about the area that might guide thinking?

  • High student population / footfall – proximity to University.
  • Well know visitor attractions in the area (see above).
  • Iconic nature of area (architecture, views).
  • Quirky, independent feel (recently nominated for a Google award as the UK's hippest street).
  • Many businesses accepting Bristol Pound.
  • Lack of community feeling and community facilities.

Eva Stuetzenberger

Retail Sector Development Manager I Destination Bristol

0117 929 0484

@retailproject