Bristol Life - Issue 340

STRIKE A LIGHT! THE BRISTOL ACTSOPENING THE BEACON

FACTORY SETTINGS

THE REIMAGINING OF GISELLE

’TIS THE SEASON TO BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY. NO, REALLY, IT IS LIFE ON THE STREETS THIS CITY WE CALL HOME NOW YOU SEE THEM END OF AN ERA FOR INVISIBLE CIRCUS

Nothing is more tedious than the zeal of the recent convert. If the shackles have fallen from your eyes, it’s best for all concerned if you let them fall silently.

But when I heard that English National Ballet were bringing Akram Khan’s Giselle back to Bristol Hippodrome, I just couldn’t help myself; this was the production that completely changed the way I thought about ballet, and I’ve been boring on about it ever since. Please allow me to share my glittering-eyed fervour with you on page 26.

And now, I’m sorry to say, we need to talk about Christmas. Yes, I know it’s only midSeptember. Yes, the leaves are still clinging to the trees. You haven’t even ordered your rres onsible houghts of eath Barbie outfit for Hallowe’en yet. However, the unpalatable truth is that if you leave it much later to book your festive bash, everywhere will be full, and it’ll have to be takeaways from Jason Donervan all round and some very hard looks from the team. Be the o ce legend this year instead head to age 68, be inspired, then hit up your favourite indie restaurant and make their day.

Speaking of Bristol’s hospitality scene, we also have a feature on Wapping Wharf North. Everyone’s favourite waterside development has big lans for its final stage; like all these things, it has both its fans and its detractors, so we asked Stuart Hatton of Umberslade to give us the full lowdown. You can also hear what some of the CARGO traders think of it all.

All in all, this is what’s known in the trade as a bum er issue, filled with news and views and features on music, photography, food and drink, property and shopping; the whole lovely shebang. Remind me, why don’t we charge for this magazine again?

Yes, we thought that photo would wind you up. And no, we agree, it’s not looking remotely like Christmas. But all the best venues are taking their big party bookings right now, and we really didn’t want you to miss out on your first choice

DERI ROBINS

Bristol Life editor

Follow us on @BristolLifeMag; @BristolLifeMag

’Tis the... huh??

Editor

Issue 340 / Early autumn 2023

ON THE COVER

ARTS

FOOD & DRINK

PROPERTY

REGULARS

Business

jake.horwood@mediaclash.co.uk Production/distribution manager Kirstie Howe kirstie.howe@mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Jane Ingham jane.ingham@ mediaclash.co.uk Chief executive Greg Ingham greg.ingham@mediaclash.co.uk Bristol Life MediaClash, Carriage Court, 22 Circus Mews, Bath, BA1 2PW 01225 475800; www.mediaclash.co.uk @The MediaClash © All rights reserved. May not be reproduced without written permission of MediaClash.

We’re a West Country-based publisher, creative agency and event organiser Magazines Our portfolio of regional magazines celebrates the best of local living: Bath and Bristol. Agency From the design and build of websites to digital marketing and creating company magazines, we can help. Events We create, market, promote and operate a wide variety of events both for MediaClash and our clients Contact: info@mediaclash.co.uk

Deri Robins deri.robins@mediaclash.co.uk Senior art editor Andrew Richmond Cover design Trevor Gilham Contributors Colin Moody, Stan Cullimore Commercial manager Neil Snow neil.snow@mediaclash.co.uk Business development manager Craig Wallberg craig.wallberg@mediaclash.co.uk

development manager Jake Horwood

Yes, another balloon FLIGHT, CAMERAS, ACTION MAN

We thought it was all over; and then he went and turned up.

The crowds had long dispersed from Bristol Balloon Fiesta, but hundreds returned to Ashton Court on 3 September to admire the stand-up of one very special shape. The Action Man balloon was designed by Mark Lockwood for Cameron Balloons over 25 years ago, and last ew in Bristol in ; osed as a skydiver, he comes with a parachute pack and smoke canister; he weighs a who ing kg and needs eo le to in ate him.

“Pictures don’t do justice in terms of the scale, he’s a beast!” say owners, MJ Ballooning, entirely accurately – but the photo below gives you an idea. www.mjballooning.com or Instagram at @mjballooning

Tails from the city WHO’LL LET THE DOGS OUT?

The Grand Appeal, that’s who. orrect the Bristol hildren’s os ital fundraisers are bringing the Gromit trail back. Following the release of Aardman’s new allace romit feature film ne t year (beyond exciting), the third sculpture trail of Bristol’s favourite dawg will be unleashed across the city in .

Since its first trail in Bristol years ago, romit nleashed, including two romit trails, Shaun in the ity trails and s in off merchandise has generated million for the hos ital, while attracting . million visitors to the city.

rom one bright idea in a ma or brand has evolved, including an online and in-store retail outlet, highly collectible figurines we’ve got si ; you and multi le

The write stuff EASTON IS LIT

exhibitions, events, auctions and trails; a pack of Gromits have even been unleashed in ong ong.

will never forget the moment the first Gromits arrived in the city, on the back of a steam train driven by Nick Park at M Shed; the six-hour queue to see the Greatest Dog Show on Earth exhibition at the former habitat store; and the elation we all felt as the very first scul ture went under the hammer at auction,” said Nicola Masters, director of The Grand Appeal.

“Now, we are ready to embrace Bristol’s pioneering, innovative, creative spirit, and Wallace & Gromit’s inventiveness, to deliver a new sculpture trail in Bristol with our partners at Aardman.”

To get involved see www.gromitunleashed.org.uk

ongratulations to aston author oses c en ie, whose first novel has been awarded the hugely res ected awthornden ri e for iterature.

An Olive Grove in Ends is the story of Sayon ughes, a young man struggling to escape a life of violent crime on Stapleton Road. The book is described by the judges as a “dazzling debut, richly te tured, gritty and rofound oses offers a thrillingly distinctive new voice, both streetwise and literary; lilting Jamaican patois mixed with Bristol slang is shot through with the language of the Bible and of the Koran. Set in the world of the disenfranchised and of drug-dealers, the novel is a moving tale of earthly love and spiritual redemption.”

he awthornden is one of the ’s oldest literary awards. To put Moses’s achievement in context, previous winners have included Siegfried Sassoon, Robert Graves, velyn augh, raham reene, ed ughes, VS Naipaul, William Trevor, David Lodge, Michael Frayn, lan Bennett, ilary antel and olm ib n.

For more: www.hawthornden.org

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LOOK BACK AT FORWARDS

Well that was a total vibe! Just some of the amazing acts at Forwards Bristol earlier this month, captured by five local photographers

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@talesofbeth

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THE ARTS

SNAPSHOTS OF BRISTOL’S CULTURAL LIFE

NOW YOU SEE THEM

It’s the end of an era for Bristol’s maestros of weird and wonderful installation performance spectaculars, as Invisible Circus say farewell to Unit 15 Creation Space – their home for the past 10 years.

Naturally they’re going out in style, with a circus theatre extravaganza designed to take you on a journey into the unknown, exploring what society may look like in a future as yet unwritten.

If you’re familiar with their work you’ll know what to expect: ie, tantalising trapeze, ooh-ahh acrobatics, comedic interactions and the occasional poignant musical moment, served with an acerbic dose of social commentary. Imagine an immersive experience that fuses the best of promenade circus and theatre with magical interactive installations

while offering the o ortunity to eat, drink and dance until late into the night – all for highly accessible ticket prices starting at 15 quid.

The Unit 15 era may be over, but Bristol’s mythical band of troubadours and artist clowns will return to save the world, transforming disused spaces into artistic melting ots, roducing site s ecific wonders, and developing acts of creative revolution in response to societal and environmental happenings. In the meantime, join them for their greatest ever disappearing act at the end of the month.

Invisible Circus’ Last Hurrah: Welcome To The Future Unit 15 Creation Space; 28 September – 1 October www.invisiblecircus.co.uk

WHAT’S ON

15 September6 October 2023

EXHIBITIONS

Until 17 September

RENE MATIC: A GIRL FOR THE LIVING ROOM

An intimate portrait of Bristol writer and performer Travis Alabanza; at MPF; martinparrfoundation.org

Until 30 September BEYOND SUBMERGENCE

he world first , s ft immersive exhibition curated by art collective S uidsou continues to light up Propyard; propyard.co.uk

Until 1 October

THREADS: BREATHING STORIES INTO MATERIALS

Major new exhibition featuring contem orary international artists and makers who use te tiles as their chosen medium, at rnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk

Until 29 October STITCHING TOGETHER

Beautiful textile creations and stories of women across the city, celebrating the joy of making through the shared language of sewing; at rnolfini; arnolfini.org.uk

Until 5 November DESIGN ICONS: MADE IN BRISTOL

Eclectic exhibition at Ken Stradling celebrating Bristol through five iconic stories, from animation to timber-framing; stradlingcollection.org

Until 1 December BRISTOL 650 TRAIL

Gotta catch them all: a new trail to celebrate years of Bristol history, through objects on display at M Shed; bristolmuseums.org.uk

BRISTOL PHOTOGRAPHS

Jem Southam’s classic mid-century photos show at Society Café; rrbphotobooks.com

Until 14 January ANNUAL OPEN

The South West’s biggest annual o en e hibition returns for its th outing; at R , rwa.org.uk

15-20 September

UWE BRISTOL MA SHOWCASE

Spot the stars of the future at the graduate show from design, graphic arts and multi-disciplinary rintmaking students, at in Bower Ashton; showcase.uwe.ac.uk

23-24 September

SOUTH BRISTOL ARTS TRAIL

It’s trail season again; you know the drill. This time it’s the turn of the BS3 crew; southbristolarts.co.uk

28 September22 December ABANDONED

Martin Parr Foundation brings together the work of Jill Quigley and drian yler, who e lore abandoned homes from Scotland and reland, as well as the household objects that lie scattered within them; at MPF; martinparrfoundation.org

30 September- 14 January

OFELIA RODGRIGUEZ

A major monographic exhibition by olombian artist felia, with over aintings, drawings, rints and scul tures; at S ike sland, spikeisland.org.uk

SHOWS

Until 16 September

GREATEST DAYS

Tonight could be the greatest night of your life, as long as you love ake hat; at Bristol i odrome, atgtickets.com

BACON

An unexpectedly humorous look at masculinity, se uality and ower through the di ying lens of youth, at Bristol Old Vic; bristololdvic.org.uk

Until 30 September

KATHY & STELLA SOLVE

A MURDER!

The comedy-whodunnit musical that wowed at Edinburgh Fringe arrives at BOV; bristololdvic.org.uk

20 September-8 October

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY

Musical based on the 1970s lm, so probably closer to Gene Wilder than messrs Depp or Chalamet; at Bristol Hippodrome; atgtickets.com

19-20 September

I’M MUSLAMIC DON’T PANIK

A joyful evening from Bobak Champion about being British/ ranian, in which hi ho collides with s oken word, dance, live music and clowning. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

20-21 September

EMPTY ORCHESTRA

Through the revealing act of

They’re obsessed with murder: Kathy and Stella at Bristol Old Vic

singing, Empty Orchestra creates a safe space to embrace both the wild, diva-like highs and deep, uncomfortable feelings of cringe inherent to karaoke. At The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

21-23 September

MARGARET THATCHER: QUEEN OF SOHO

The Iron lady returns in her hit drag extravaganza. On the eve of the vote on Section 28, Maggie gets lost in Soho and accidentally becomes a cabaret superstar. Will she change her mind about the homophobic bill before it’s too late? At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

21 September-14 October

CHEEKY LITTLE BROWN

A failed night out, a musical, a show about heartbreak and queerness, with original songs: a coming-ofage story examining a friendship between two Black women on diverging paths of self-love and acceptance; at BOV, bristololdvic.org.uk

24 September

THE LOST CABARET

Now presumably located again, as the wild rambunctious night of alternative comedy and games returns to Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

26 September

THE MISTAKE

Urgent new play by Michael Mears exploring the events surrounding the catastrophic ‘mistake’ that launched the nuclear age. At TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

26-27 September

THE GENEVA CONVENTION OF HUMAN F*CKS

Three blokes embark on a grand sex tour of Europe; a punchy, funny and original exploration of toxic masculinity, sex tourism and male friendship, performed entirely by women. At Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

27 September

WOMEN WHO GAVE NO F*CKS

Glittering prizes! A human clap-ometer! Who will you crown Supreme Giver of Absolutely None? Stand-up tale-tellers slam down the stories, with an MC to keep things clean, at TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

1 October

BLUFFING YOUR WAY IN BALLET

A fast-paced and irreverent pirouette

through dance as Seizing The Day perform, in avant-garde fashion, the intrigue, tragedy, and magic of ballet’s greatest stars; Hen & Chicken; henandchicken.com

COMEDY

Ongoing

CLOSER EACH DAY

The world’s longest-running improvised comedy soap continues to froth away amusingly at The Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

15-16 September

BOORISH TRUMPSON

An interactive interrogation of power and those who wield it from Lecoq-trained clown Claire Parrya. Boorish is a power-grabbing rehearsal conductor who will stop at nothing to gain ultimate control over the orchestra. Also, you are the orchestra. At The Wardrobe, thewardrobetheatre.com

17 September

PAUL SINHA: PAULY BENGALI

Acclaimed comedian, daytime TV star and global TikTok sensation: Paul is at least two of these. “Very cutting for a man whose neck looks like a stack of Cumberland sausages,” said Garry Bushell, rudely. TFT; tobaccofactorytheatres.com

17 September

BRIDGET CHRISTIE: WHO AM I?

Menopause LOLs with a confused, furious, sweaty lady who is annoyed by everything; BOV bristololdvic.org.uk

22 September

GARETH REYNOLDS: LEGENDGARY

The stand-up with a cat named Jose is touring his solo show, and it’s coming to the Hen; henandchicken.com

23 September

DARREN HARRIOTT: ROADMAN

“The new show will have stories from when I was a fat kid, to my life in gangs and being a security guard, so touring at lovely theatres will be a dream compared to stopping shoplifters at Primark and guarding a Xmas tree in Birmingham city centre,” says Darren. At Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

24 September

JASON BYRNE:

IRONIC BIONIC MAN

The accident-prone, generally unfortunate gobshite is now halfman, half-machine, and he’s being

FROMTOP: He’s a Muslim, don’t panic: Bobak Champion at TFT; You’d think they’d have cleaned up before we came: Abandoned at MPF; You’re a little late for the Balloon Fiesta, Laura Murphy, but just in time for Circus City

painfully hilarious about it all at Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

ANGELA BARNES: HOT MESS

Anglela has good intentions; but trying to live your best life, as it turns out, is really bloody hard. At TFT, tobaccofactorytheatres.com

28 September

KAE KURD: KURD IMMUNITY

After the world’s been turned on its head, Kae is trying to be the best man he possibly can in this day and age. Redgrave; redgravetheatre.com

29 September

THOMAS GREEN: END OF DAZE

Aussie stand-up Thomas used to be a member of an extremist religious cult, but then he found comedy and realised that there was more to life than following the ock. en hicken; henandchicken.com

30 September

PIERRE NOVELLIE: WHY CAN’T I JUST ENJOY THINGS? Before the plague and WWIII, Pierre was a chortling, applecheeked blacksmith; now he’s a scowling wretch in a tattered cloak. bservational comedy for eo le who think they don’t like observational comedy, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

SOPHIE DUKER: HAG

A badass grandma, a lesbian cruise and one hell of a magical trip: the provocateur, Taskmaster champ and notorious gammonwhisperer brings gags about sex, star signs, sugar and spice to 1532; chucklebusters.com

STUART GOLDSMITH

Bristol boy Stu hosts Stand-up for the eekend at the en hicken; henandchicken.com

1-4 October

JAMES ACASTER: HECKLERS WELCOME ames has written a new show. e’s very proud of it. That being said, you are allowed to ruin it. Fill your boots. t B V, bristololdvic.org.uk

5 October

JARLETH REGAN

Everyone’s favourite Irishman abroad continues to find the funny in stuff we all take for granted, performing routines about the Irish mammy, weddings, raising kids and marriage and so on. en hicken; henandchicken.com

6 October

RIA LINA: RIAWAKENING

Ria tackles the issues of coming out of a global pandemic, the new normal, divorce, dating in a new digital world, motherhood and what it really means to be a woman today. en hicken; henandchicken.com

MUSIC

17 September

65 DAYS OF STATIC

She eld’s electronic ost rock pioneers celebrate their much-loved fifth album Wild Light by performing it in full; at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

19 September

THE SCHMOOZENBERGS

Conjuring up the mood of 1930s aris, fused with avours of astern uro e and a liberal s rinkling of high energy folk, at Wardrobe; thewardrobetheatre.com

22-23 September PANGEA

Back at rinity a night of oyous and hard-hitting music from around the globe played through the rumbling 421 soundsystem; trinitybristol.org.uk

28 September

PUBLIC IMAGE LTD

John Lydon’s post-Pistols band are still recording, touring and, im ressively, alive; at , academymusicgroup.com

29 September

NABIHAH IQBAL

he legal eagle turned dance oor electronic muso reveals her latest vibe at Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

THE UNDERTONES

The Derry boys, getting their middle aged kicks at , with guests The Rezillos. academymusicgroup.com

3 October GENGHAR

he Stoke ewington lads reviving the British Indie scene bring their slightly psychedelic, alternative pop to Trinity; trinitybristol.org.uk

WISHBONE ASH

2023 is the 50th anniversary of album Live Dates, and the Ash are performing it in its entirety, along with songs from other albums, at St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

5 October

EDDI READER

ne of o ’s most thrilling

TOP: Sugar and spice and all things provocative: Sophie Duker at 1532

MIDDLE: Post-punksters PiL pose at O2 BOTTOM: You can take Ghengar out of Stoke Newington, but they might get lost

TOP: Middle-aged kicks: the Undertones at O2

MIDDLE: Gaslighting, obsession, nuns, Vertigo’s got the lot: at BFF

BOTTOM: If you liked Heartstopper, you’ll like Bacon at BOV

performers brings her rare blend of meltingly true vocals and towering romanticism to St George’s; stgeorgesbristol.co.uk

FESTIVALS

Ongoing BRISTOL FILM FESTIVAL

The year-round fest with the something-for-everyone remit; bristolfilmfestival.com

15-17 September

BRISTOL OPEN DOORS

Your biennial chance to snoop legally behind closed doors and discover the city’s hidden treasures. bristolopendoors.org.uk

16 September

OKTOBERFEST

Lost and Grounded celebrate the Bavarian heritage that inspires their lagers, with German street food, and DJs playing traditional oompah music and Europop. At the brewery on Whitby Road; lostandgrounded.co.uk

21 September

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL

A new collection of the world’s most incredible ocean films; at Redgrave, redgravetheatre.com

22-23 September

BRISTOL CRAFT BREW FESTIVAL

Not to be confused with Bristol Craft Beer Fest, though with very similar aims; at cool new venue Document in St Jude’s; yuup.co

22-24 September

UNICORN FAREWELL FESTIVAL

Good news for anyone who didn’t manage to track down the full herd: they’ll all be rounded up for a three-day exhibition at Propyard before being taken off for auction. theunicornfest.co.uk

23 September

BRISTOL SEA SHANTY FESTIVAL

The best sea shanty crews, groups and choirs perform around Harbourside, If you’re still in any doubt about what, precisely, the Wellerman brought, this should sort it out. bristolshantyfestival.co.uk

26 September-1 October ENCOUNTERS

Bristol’s largest international film festival celebrates its 25th edition with the usual heady smorgasbord of film, animation and VR, with awards meted out to new talent; Watershed, encounters.film

29 September-1 October

HOTFEST 2023

Organised by local volunteers, Hotwells’ festival of words and music returns with spoken word, poetry, music and sea shanties, in and around the historic pubs and venues of Western Harbour. hotwellsfestival.com

OTHER

Ongoing

BRISTOL TRANSATLANTIC SLAVE WALK

Sunday walking tours offering a history of Bristol as a port, how it came to participate in the slave trade, and Colston’s divisive legacy; bristoltours.co.uk

Until 16 September

BRISTOL’S SUMMER FILM TAKEOVER

Explore the city through a different lens with the ongoing takeover from Bristol’s UNESCO City of Film; bristolcityoffilm.co.uk

15 September8 October

CIRCUS EXTREME

Merging modern and contemporary styles with extreme stunts and classic clown escapades, in a big top up on the Downs; circusextreme.co.uk

25 September8 October

SUSTAINABLE FASHION WEEK

The return of the pioneering grassroots sew-and-sews with the sustainable remit; see also page 130; sustainablefashionweek.uk

1-22 October

CIRCUS CITY

The UK’s biggest contemporary circus festival returns with a citywide programme, blending circus with music, film, theatre and more; bristolcircuscity.com n

CALLING ALL CHANGEMAKERS

Bristol bound….for the breakthrough summit for purpose-led business. BLUE EARTH SUMMIT returns to Bristol 11-13 October 2023.

Blue Earth is based on a belief in the power of the outdoors to connect us, inspire environmentally conscious business practice, and transform how we live and work.

With 100 million plus raised for planet-positive business, the 2023 summit is another significant moment in the Bristol event calendar; Blue Earth welcomes some of the most inspiring, experienced and provocative thought-leaders and trailblazers from all walks of life to share knowledge and kickstart the inspiration-action cycle: inspire, connect, act.

This year’s focus on Reimagining Futures sees a number of household names take to the stage to inspire, challenge, and ultimately find a more purpose-led agenda for people in business looking to be part of a positive future. Speakers include Professor David Olusoga OBE, Deborah Meaden, and Feargal Sharkey, alongside business leaders from British Airways to BBC, Ovo Energy to Oatly, Patagonia to Triodos Bank and many more.

INSPIRE | CONNECT | ACT

The founders behind Blue Earth live out their vision. They are as comfortable out in the ocean as they are leading their purpose-driven organisation. With the help of an expert team, it is fair to say they know how to make good things happen.

“We founded Blue Earth Summit to drive awareness around positive solutions and business opportunities. We share insight and encourage policymakers to put good business at the forefront of sustainable change,” says Will

Those attending Blue Earth Summit will be inspired, make new connections and leave with a list of actions designed to drive forward sustainable business practices.

A large element of the event is a fundraising and live pitching competition, the “Pitch Tent,” where the most impactful start-up and scale-up businesses are shortlisted as a BE100 company, to pitch live on stage and win funding from impact investors ready and able to support

“ BUSINESS AS USUAL IS NO LONGER AN OPTION. BLUE EARTH SUMMIT PUSHES THE NEEDS OF PEOPLE AND THE PLANET TO THE TOP OF THE CORPORATE AGENDA”

WILL HAYLER, CO-FOUNDER, BLUE EARTH SUMMIT

planet positive innovation. Throughout the three-day event, opportunities to speak to people with the power to connect and change the world are plentiful.

Blue Earth is also backed by Mayor Marvin Rees who says, “I am proud to welcome Blue Earth Summit back to our city. Bristol is a trailblazer in the fight against climate change.

The exciting return of the summit to Bristol is further evidence of our city’s commitment to and record on sustainability.”

So for investors, businesses, charities, NGOs, start-ups, scale-ups or media, Blue Earth Summit is the place to be this October. Delegates can fix up meetings via the matchmaking tool on the event app, and the sheer diversity of the event powers its impact. Co-founder Linley Lewis says, “Bringing people together face to face, is the most effective way to create change. We’re expecting over 27,000 meetings to take place at this year’s summit - and each and every one has the power to reimagine our future.” n

REASONS TO ATTEND BLUE EARTH SUMMIT 2023

Be inspired by over 200 speakers including Investor Deborah Meaden, Historian David Olusoga OBE, Author of Project Drawdown, Paul Hawken, Founder of Riverford Organics, Guy Singh-Watson and Financier and Environmentalist Ben Goldsmith and many more.

Find solutions through workshops on becoming a purpose-led business and hot-housing the theme: Reimagining Futures.

Connect with a global mix of energised, expert big thinkers - who aren’t just on stage but all around you, representing a diverse set of industries and backgrounds. You’ll be able to set up focused 1:1 meetings and find inspiration in the great outdoors for the benefit of our planet.

Be part of the movement. The Blue Earth Summit takes place between 11-13 October, 2023. To book tickets visit www.blueearthsummit.com/tickets

Raise funding in the Pitch Tent where founders can get face time with over a thousand impact investors. Over £100m has been raised for purpose-led businesses attending the summit.

“CLIMATE CHANGE IS ONE OF THE BIGGEST OPPORTUNITIES OF OUR TIME. WE NEED PURPOSE-LED BUSINESS TO DRIVE INNOVATION, INVEST IN LONG TERM SOLUTIONS AND REGENERATE OUR NATURAL WORLD”

DEBORAH

MEADEN – BLUE EARTH SUMMIT 2023 GUEST SPEAKER

FACTORY SETTINGS

Words by Deri Robins

Photos by Laurent Liotardo

The most swooningly romantic ballet of all time, Giselle is a story of love, betrayal, and redemption. Which all sounds very exciting and se y, but aren’t those bucolic scenery ats, folk dances and uff sleeved rinces all a tiny bit, well, trad and twee? Millions would argue indignantly otherwise, but I’d always suspected that Giselle – and indeed ballet in general – might not be for me.

And then I saw Akram Khan’s Giselle for English National Ballet in 2016, and everything changed. This was an altogether edgier, more mesmerising, contemporary Giselle, enhanced by an enthralling new electro orchestral score by Vincen o amagna, sets and costumes by scar winning designer im i and, most importantly, Akram Khan’s forceful, vivid new choreography.

The curtain rises on a stark, noirish set, bisected by a vast wall symbolising the social divide between rich and poor. The choreography is ositively earthy; dancers dressed in raggedy grey are first seen from behind, as shadows pushing against that forbidding wall. There’s a rhythmic group dance, after which herds of dancers gallop across the stage like deer. And then, halfway through Act One, that huge central wall… actually, no, let’s stop right there. We don’t want to spoil the roduction’s most aw dro ingly theatrical moment for you.

In Act Two, the tragedy and otherworldliness of the ghostly Wilis is conveyed by one brilliantly simple idea – get the girls en pointe, and leave them up there. The Wilis thrum their sticks mercilessly, in time with their feet, like a bunch of ointy toed rya Starks; their ueen, yrtha, is all witchy handwork and wild, streaming locks. ou really wouldn’t want to mess with her, but you can’t take your eyes off her. Never mind the captivating dancing; it was the most breathtaking, memorable and powerful piece of theatre we’d seen all year.

As Giselle prepares to return to Bristol Hippodrome next month, we take a look at how it all came about.

Hold the peasant frocks and folk dances: Akram Khan’s bold reimagining of Giselle takes us to a dark, industrial world where vengeful ghosts lurk in the shadows

“The otherworldliness of the Wilis is conveyed by a brilliantly simple idea – get the dancers en pointe, and leave them up there”

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GISELLE REDEFINED

Born in London into a Bangladeshi family, Akram Khan started dancing at an early age. His mother taught him Bengali folk dance, and at the age of seven he started learning kathak – a traditional Indian dance style famous for complex footwork and stylised gestures adapted from common body language. His further training in contemporary dance also helped shape his unique choreographic style.

Giselle was not kram’s first collaboration with nglish ational Ballet; in 2014, the company commissioned him to create the short piece Dust, which received great acclaim and went on to be performed on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury Festival.

Despite the success of Dust, B’s decision to hire kram for their new full-length Giselle was a bold gamble. In response, he didn’t just reimagine the ballet, he ractically redefined the genre, framing the narrative and setting for the 21st century while celebrating its enduring tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness. His choreography explored aspects of classical ballet movement vocabulary, infusing the imagery of the classical technique with a contemporary and kathak twist.

Thematically, as Akram explains, it was a production of its time. uro e’s migrant crisis was currently heading u the global news agenda, inspiring him to switch the ballet’s traditional Arcadian 19th-century setting to a contemporary factory employing a migrant community, highlighting issues of displacement and vulnerability.

“Giselle and her community are immigrants, and the landowners are the rich,” he says. “I was also fascinated by the factories, in China, but also Bangladesh because my parents are from there. We wanted to base the ballet on the plight of these migrants, who are asked to work in tough conditions”.

The tragic tale at the heart of the ballet, however, remained unchanged; as ever, Giselle falls in love with Albrecht – no prince or nobleman here, but a member of the wealthy factory owner’s class –who betrays her by returning to his fianc e Bathilde, breaking iselle’s heart and driving her to her death.

In the original 19th-century ballet, Giselle’s first act is set in the German Rhinelands at harvest time, with folk dances and rural customs to evoke the setting. Akram’s version presented us with a far darker environment, in which Giselle seeks entrance to the luxurious place where the factory landlords live, bordered by a high wall.

The second act of Giselle features some of the ballet’s most affecting scenes. hantoms and s irits a ear to oat across the stage, taking audiences into an ethereal world of ghostly silhouettes. n B’s reimagined production these scenes take place in a condemned factory where Giselle and her co-workers have laboured, and many died, showcasing Akram Khan’s ability to create a profoundly poignant, haunting work that honours the dramatic emotions of the original.

B’s Giselle returns to Bristol Hippodrome next month; anyone suffering from romance deficiency should book their tickets ronto. ect lashings of love, betrayal, redem tion, some really great frocks, and – if you were previously on the fence – a total conversion to ballet. n

English National Ballet ’s Giselle at Bristol Hippodrome from 26-28 October Tickets www.ballet.org.uk/production/akram-khan-giselle

“Akram Khan didn’t simply reimagine the ballet; he ractically redefined the genre

THE WORLD IS CLOSER TO HOME THAN YOU THINK

Thanks to Dutch airline KLM, travellers can travel right from their doorstep with KLM’s services from Bristol Airport. In a post-pandemic world where travelling abroad is more meaningful than ever, KLM is working hard to make it easier to travel.

Flying from where you live means less time and cost commuting to airports further afield, so you’ll have more time to relax (or work!) on your well-earned holiday, family visit or business trip. With convenient flight schedules from Bristol

Airport, and connections to the world via Amsterdam, KLM is making international travel as seamless as possible.

With KLM you can easily reach a wide range of destinations, such as Dubai, the city that surpasses anything in everything and mixes modernity, luxury, and tradition all in one sunny destination. Or fly KLM to Bangkok, Thailand’s capital which never sleeps, where you can stroll among centuries-old temples and browse traditional street markets. Prefer an even slower pace? Pamper yourself at one of the many spas and leave the bustle of the

It’s never been easier to fly from your local airport thanks to the network of flights offered by KLM ROYAL DUTCH AIRLINES from Bristol Airport

“ KLM IS MAKING INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL AS SEAMLESS AS POSSIBLE ”

city behind with a soothing Thai massage.

KLM offers flights to Cape Town, too – a charming picturesque city nestled at the foot of Table Mountain. Take a day trip to the city’s amazing nature reserves or vineyards. Enjoy the relaxed vibe of the ‘Mother City’ and spend time on the beach at Camps Bay.

These unmissable destinations are among many available to discover right from your local airport. Transfers at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol are easy due to its single terminal design with a wide array of shops, restaurants, quirky attractions to keep you and the kids entertained, and rest areas to make your transfer even more enjoyable. KLM has multiple daily departures to Amsterdam Airport Schiphol. From Amsterdam you can fly to over 160 worldwide destinations.

If you are travelling primarily for business, KLM’s range of flights allow you to comfortably fit a business trip into a busy schedule. You can build international relationships and networks that will directly benefit trade and your company as well as helping the local economy prosper.

What’s more, KLM offers a range of

cabins to suit your budget and needs, including Economy, Premium Comfort and World Business Class. With complimentary snacks and drinks on the short connecting flights, as well as meals, bar services and WiFi* plus a chance to charge your phone on long-haul flights.

You can travel in the newly introduced Premium Comfort cabin, offered to select long-haul destinations. When flying KLM in Premium Comfort you can elevate your comfort to enjoy a separate cabin with more space, a wide selection of meals and drinks, and a large inflight entertainment screen.

Or travel in style and take to the skies in KLM’s luxurious World Business Class with full-flat seats on intercontinental flights. You’ll have extra privacy, comfort, highquality food and drinks, and full attention from KLM’s experienced cabin crew.

KLM makes it possible to take off closer to home, see and experience the big, beautiful world and return with many memories when you fly back home n

*You can purchase WiFi during check-in or once you’ve boarded your flight Information correct at time of print.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

To find out more about KLM’s network of regional flights or the exciting range of destinations, visit them online at: www.klm.co.uk

Bangkok

Cape Town

“I think it will be eye-popping, I think it will be andear-popping, it will be very, very loud”

ARTS

The grand reopening of Bristol Beacon this November isn’t just Bristol’s biggest cultural happening of the year; along with the recent multi-million refurb of Bristol Old Vic, it’s its most significant in a decade.

To mark the moment when the city welcomes back live indoor music on a large scale, the Beacon has commissioned a bespoke, collaborative piece of music entitled Trip the Light Fantastic, performed, composed and presented by artists who have Bristol running through them like a stick of rock.

irstly, there’s araorchestra, the first orchestra in the to integrate professional disabled and non-disabled musicians, conducted by artistic director harles a lewood.

Next, there’s Surgeon’s Girl – known to her mates as Sinead McMillan – a composer, producer and performer working with analogue hardware, with in uences from both the ambient and techno genres. inally there’s imbic inema, who will be com lementing the music with a degree immersive light show.

So, how exactly do you merge techno with orchestral? We asked harles and Sinead to tell us a bit about it, among other things . . .

Bristol Life: Charles, the last time we spoke you were about to march a 70-piece wind-and-brass band performing pop karaoke through suburban streets – remind us about that fun event Charles: The idea for the kind of big bad wolf we called Smoosh! was born out of lockdown. was u ling over how we could make some healthy, open-air entertainment really, and take that entertainment wherever we fancied taking it.

BL: And how did it go?

CH: he first iteration of Smoosh! took lace in nowle est and it um ed its way through the streets. Basically, it was a giant human jukebox; a kind of mobile mass of huge great wind, brass and ercussion with dance. he entire thing was fully choreographed and played banging o hits. orking its way through suburban streets and luring people out of their houses, we had people dancing on their porches, hanging out of their bedroom windows and dancing on top of their cars. t felt like an act of love in a miserable time.

BL: Multi-crowd participation and performers in the audience is a signature aspect of Pararorchestra, yes?

CH: Yes; it’s always been really important to me to break down the fourth wall. ormally when you go to hear an orchestra, you sit in ranks in absolute silence, and the orchestra is a beautifully homogenised, but somehow a kind of distant thing on a stage. There’s nothing wrong with that model, but it can be done in other ways!

hen was about si or seven, my mum took me to see an orchestra rehearse for the first time, and found myself transfi ed by it. t one point the conductor turned around and just looked at little me, sitting in the auditorium alone, and said “you look a bit lonely down there, why don’t you come and sit in the orchestra while we lay nd in that moment, the scales fell from my eyes, and it was like my life changed for good. ’ve wanted ever since to be a rofessional musician, to recreate that e erience for each and any other erson.

Charles and Paraorchestra doing their thing

© GUY PETERSON

BL: Tell us how you’re engaging with Limbic Cinema to create an immersive experience on the Beacon’s opening night

CH: Limbic Cinema is an extraordinary industry leader in projection mapping; they are an astonishingly creative and thrilling bunch of people, and they happen to be based here in Bristol. At Paraorchestra we’ve been watching their work for quite a long time and wondering how we could collaborate with them. This seems to be the perfect opportunity, when we’ve got this already visually stunning new hall. I mean, I’ve seen the building site; people are going to be knocked for six by it! With Limbic doing their astonishing visual confectionery over the top of Sinead’s incandescent music, I reckon we’re onto a winner.

BL: Tell us about the musical piece you’re creating

CH: It’s called Trip the Light Fantastic, a phrase attributed to the th century nglish oet ohn ilton one of the first and greatest promoters of free speech. I think there’s something very apposite, very appropriate, very serendipitous about using that phrase at the reopening of this glorious hall, no longer smeared by associations with the past. We’ve commissioned Sinead McMillan, known as Surgeons Girl, to create a new score for us, bringing her astonishing electronic virtuosity to bear. Sinead makes techno music. The big question is, how do you put techno music in the heart of an orchestra, and not make it sound lame?

BL: Yes, Sinead – how are you going to do that?

SM: When I was chatting with Charles he invited me to hear his Anatomy of the Orchestra. I just found it really interesting, how the musicians could move about, in almost a kind of giant mixer-studio space, to the sound of Steve Reich’s piece.

I guess because I make techno and ambient music, and I have a love of orchestral music due to my classical training, it just made sense for us to work together. Charles has such a great taste in electronic music, too, which is a really big key aspect for me, because the two can sometimes not work so well together. You’ve got to really collaborate with an orchestra and director with a good, strong aesthetic.

CH: That’s such a nice thing for you to say, and you’re so right - you’ve ut your finger on something fundamental. think often these ro ects are thrown together because it seems like a good idea, perhaps in the hope of drawing a new audience to the orchestra. That in itself is not enough reason to do it. ou’ve got to find the energy and the talent to try to build a new hybrid in music. It’s not enough to just try and cement techno onto an orchestra.

BL: With all that in mind, how does it feel being the opening act for the new Bristol Beacon?:

SM: It feels exciting and scary at the same time, because I want it to be really, really good. feel confident that it’s going to be something of a spectacle with Limbic Cinema. The event aims for a kind of wholebody visual experience, which I think we’re going to deliver.

CH: I think it will be eye-popping, I think it will be ear-popping, and it will be very, very loud.

BL: Can you tell us more about the musicians who will actually be playing?:

SM: I’m going to be playing live with all my hardware, and that’s going to be synced up to the visuals of Limbic Cinema. There’s going to be quite a lot of reactive projection mapping, which is all being worked on;

we’re researching as we speak. There’s a whole host of other electronic orchestral musicians and acoustic orchestral musicians too.

CH: As anyone familiar with the work of Paraorchestra will know, we really celebrate the sweet spot between where an acoustic instrument finishes and an electronic one starts. e see no contradiction in having an orchestra with ranks of instruments and instrumentalists playing analogue instruments, digital instruments, and assisted technology instruments. These are all part of the compendium of an orchestra as we see it. It’s not a 19th-century model, it’s a 21st-century one.

BL: Finally, what can the audience expect on opening night?

CH: I can tell you that as a kind of delicious perfume-sensual prelude to Sinead’s piece, a very remarkable composer from the Paraorchestra family is creating a piece which will begin in darkness and spread throughout the hall – that’s the only clue I’m going to give you.

But it will be a very delicate thing, which gradually grows and accrues power, strength, motivation, a sense of solidarity, a kind of pilgrimage, the orchestra finding its way into a kind of congruence in harmony and then Sinead’s piece will begin. . . n

Paraorchestra, Surgeons Girl and Limbic Cinema will perform Trip the Light Fantastic at Bristol Beacon’s newly restored hall on 30 November 3 2023. Tickets will be available this autumn; sign up now at the Bristol Beacon website: www.bristolbeacon.org

Surgeon Girl: Sinead works with analogue hardware; her influences lie in both the ambient and techno genres

“The event aims for a kind of whole-body visual experience, which I think we’re going to deliver”

“How do you put techno music in the heart of an orchestra and not make it sound lame?”

INFO:

Designer: Lee Watkins

Wet room type: Modern

Wall Tiles: Ca’ Pietra Tiles

Floor tiles: Tileflair

Basin and Tap: Roper Rhodes

Basin cabinet: Calypso Bathrooms

Shower System: Methven

Towel rail: JiS

WC: Creavit

CASE STUDY: ROBIN & CHRIS

Practicality was key for this revitalised wet room by GARDINER HASKINS, but spectacular tiles and clever, space-saving design ensure there’s a wow factor too Writen

by - Annabelle Grundy. Photography - Colin Poole

Ro in and hris’s ground floor wet room is part of an extension they added to their 1930s home some thirty years ago. It had been professionally installed, properly tanked and fully tiled to eliminate leaks, and had always functioned well. After decades of sterling service, and having coped with wet, outdoor clothing and muddy dogs as well as day-to-day use, it was starting to age. Rather than a complete re-design, Robin and Chris wanted to replace and update the e isting fi tures and fittings, and address some minor issues.

“As the room is quite small, we’d originally fitted a space saving, corner hand asin, ut it was too close to the shower area, and not big enough to be useful,” says Robin, “We also had a problem with water collecting along the wall on one side.”

“The floor to ceiling tiles ere very practical, but they were just plain white and square, which made it feel stark and austere, too,” adds Chris.

We had supplied Robin and Chris with bespoke curtains and upholstered furniture some years ago. Remembering how pleased they had been with our service at the time, they approached us again, and we were happy to help with their plans for the wet room.

Designer Lee Watkins set to work straightaway. He learned that the current layout needed only minor tweaks, so focused on solving the main issues they had raised.

Robin and Chris were open to the idea of a more colourful, eye-catching look for the wet room, as a change from the simple functionality they had previously had. Lee pointed them towards a range of tile suppliers they had not seen before, and browsing brochures and websites, Robin spotted some striking hexagonal patterned tiles in shades of green,

“Our taste is generally quite restrained, so the tiles were a big decision, but these looked spectacular, and we hadn’t come across anything else like them,” he says.

To reflect light and keep the room feeling bright, the patterned tiles have been balanced with plain white ones in the same hexagonal format. Their complex layout, which creates a loose, flo ing effect, as the result of meticulous

planning by Lee, followed by careful installation. Smaller mosaic tiles, colour-matched to the plain all tiles, ere chosen for the floor They provide a safe, non-slip surface and follow the gradual slope of the floor to ards the drain more easily than a larger size.

Turning his attention to the impractical hand-basin, Lee pinpointed the ideal spot for someone to stand to access the basin comfortably, and then adjusted the dimensions of the curtained shower area. This created just enough room to mount a new basin on the wall beside the door. Instead of the cramped corner style, Lee suggested a full-width, half-depth option that is easy to use and feels generous but doesn’t protrude awkwardly into the room. The basin sits on a smart, slimline cabinet, providing handy storage and cleverly maximising the limited space. Its modern, monobloc chrome tap echoes the style of other brassware in the couple’s home.

To further coordinate, Chris and Robin picked a chrome finish sho er system that as very similar in design to their previous one. To build on the streamlined, contemporary look, Lee

recommended replacing the existing radiator too. He guided the couple towards a sleek, wallmounted stainless-steel design, which will not rust or corrode in the humid atmosphere and can heat the room effectively.

Work on the new wet room took about two weeks. Lee suggested our expert installer Mike to carry out the project, as it required specialist knowledge of tanking and wetroom construction, to guarantee an absolutely atertight finish ll the old tiles ere removed and the soundness of the existing plumbing carefully checked, before the entire room was re-screeded, re-tanked and tiled again. Robin and Chris were impressed by the team assigned, especially the way in which they minimised disruption for the couple, by isolating the wet room plumbing and electrics, so the work did not impact on other areas of the home. The re laid floor is no perfectly smooth and slopes imperceptibly, so water no longer pools at one side. The shower drain, which had always been just off-centre, was neatly re-positioned exactly in the corner, adding to the crisp, clean feel, “It’s turned out better than we imagined,” says Chris, “There’s nothing we’d change, and it’s just what we wanted.”

“This wasn’t a straightforward bathroom renovation, and it’s not easy to find a company that can offer a service so tailored to our situation, adds o in, Lee as so fle i le and responsive, and e ould definitely recommend Gardiner Haskins – they were able to do things other companies couldn’t.” n

Looking to modernise your home? Make it happen with Gardiner Haskins. Their inspirational showroom features the latest trends in fitted kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Visit 1 Straight Street, Bristol or their website: www.gardinerhaskins.co.uk

DREAM CITY

A new collaboration between Bristol photographers and local residents creates a record of the city we call home

We’re walking along the street, past the place where you met your mum on the first day after lockdown to buy ice-creams before walking to the park. Past the café where taxi drivers gather, sharing stories and drinking coffee between rides. Opposite lies the old bakery set up by the couple who moved in next door, looking for a safe place to call home. The street is a cacophony of stories – some personal, others shared – that weave together to form a sense of place and belonging. Bristol is a city of stories, where streets act as places of communion and congregation…”

This summer, Bristol Photo Festival invited leading photographers and writers to collaborate with local residents, creating a record of the many communities which call this city home. The project’s title, Dreamlines, is a nod to Zadie Smith’s notion of Dream City – a place where voices and identities always overlap, where borders and boundaries blur, where the individual ‘I’ quickly gives way to the collective ‘we’.

Member of Shirehampton Men’s Club, Steven Ackerman aka ‘Ackers’ © Chris Hoare

Jenny, member of The Shire Stitchers, wearing her wedding dress © Clementine Schneidermann

“Most people were glad food banks were there to help them, but agreed there shouldn’t be a need for them” © Kirsty Mackay

Lauren, Stapleton Road © Jade Carr-Daley

The high streets of the city were used as catalysts; gathering spaces around which the project took place, along Filton Avenue, Shirehampton High Street, Stapleton Road, Two Mile Hill, East Street, Filwood Broadway, Brislington Hill Avenue and Stockwood Road. Each project involved community workshops and creative sessions organised in collaboration with local organisations and community groups. The process placed a strong emphasis on heritage, asking how the past can foster identity and belonging today.

Dreamlines: Picturing Bristol High Streets, organised by Bristol Photo Festival culminated with brief public exhibitions; it will return to the city in 2024. The project is funded by Historic England, Bristol City Council and the West of England Combined Authority

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS

MICHAEL ALBERRY explores ideas around faith, community, and spirituality within various social and cultural contexts. For the project he photographed spaces that explore ideas of community.

KIRSTY MACKAY worked with community groups and food banks in and around ilton, to e lore the di culties of the cost of living crisis.

KHALI ACKFORD has been at the heart of some of the most culturally significant rotests and movements in the , including the ’s B movement, the to ling of the dward olston statue and marches against male violence. He has been working to explore the everyday hidden heritage in Two Mile Hill, where many businesses have historic roots.

SEBASTIAN BRUNO seeks to create authentic and charged narratives that go beyond the boundaries of traditional documentary practice. Among his collaborations he worked with the Salvation Army Brass Band to re-enact the Whitsuntide Parades of the past.

JADE CARR-DALEY’s ractice is heavily in uenced by her amaican British heritage, social issues affecting minority communities, and Black Women. Jade collaborated with various community groups across Stapleton Road and Easton, particularly women groups from different cultural backgrounds in the community.

MOHAMED HASSAN works in both black-and-white and colour, focusing on the mood and light of the scene; his work has subtle and subdued characteristics and aims to draw you into the image he’s making, evoking an emotional response. Mohamed worked with groups in Stapleton Road and surrounding areas to explore ideas around place, identity and belonging.

CLEMENTINE SCHNEIDERMANN’S approach is collaborative and playful, with an interest in communities as well as our relationship to identity and culture. She worked with The Shire Stitchers to produce a series of personal quilts using creative portraiture.

CHRIS HOARE is interested in areas of society that he feels are overlooked, exploring themes of identity and place. He is drawn to s eculative documentary’, e cited by the ossibilities that come with telling visual stories in a loose metaphorical way, and set up a temporary portrait studio to create a record of those living in the area. n

Janun in his restaurant, Afghan Tasty Corner © Mohamed Hassan

The Salvation Army brass band re-enacting The Witsuntide Parade through Two Mile Hill © Sebastian Bruno

“The street is a cacophony of stories – some personal, others shared – that weave together to form a sense of place”

Baker’s Corner © Khali Ackford

People watching the goats in Stoke Park, Lockleaze © Michael Alberry

A NATURAL VISION

As established British furniture designers, based in Wiltshire with over 30 stores around the UK and Europe, including one in Bristol, Neptune values the beauty of natural materials, thoughtful and practical design, and sustainable craftsmanship, to create homes that feel both timeless and contemporary.

NEW ARRIVALS

A case in point is this season’s new collection which marries classic lines with the finest of natural materials to deliver a relaxed yet sophisticated aesthetic. Spanning exquisite oak furniture, rich kilim rugs, brass lighting, and textural accessories, the autumn collection is designed to work in city, town, and country properties. Take the new Stratford table which nods to the clean lines of mid-century modern design, and features a uniquely engineered castellated pedestal base, but is re-interpreted and re-sized for modern family living. Or the gracefully proportioned Kenilworth dining chair with its slim birch frame and chalked oak seat and the compact Ardingly desk that quickly converts into a console. Enveloping the whole season is Neptune’s subtle new paint shade – Potter’s Pink – an earthy hue with the textured look of raw clay and fresh plaster.

THE NEPTUNE ETHOS

What unites this and every Neptune collection is a set of core values and an attention to detail that ensures the timber kitchens and carefully curated homeware collections are designed and made to last. Indeed, Neptune’s mission is to create furniture that will last 100 years and beyond, bringing joy to future generations and helping support a sustainable manufacturing approach.

The Neptune vision is reassuringly simple:

1. There is a focus on using natural, organic materials wherever possible, from solid oak for tables to Belgium linen and Harris Tweed for upholstery. MDF and chipboard are never used, instead sustainably sourced timbers and hardwood plywood lend stability and authenticity to the designs.

2. Then there is a spotlight on quality craftsmanship and joinery – learning from the forms and solutions of furniture makers of the past and combining them with the latest innovations in technology and engineering.

3. And finally, there is a commitment to service, both in the excellence of the customer services available, from kitchen and home design services to the colour consultancy, and through to the warm welcome customers receive in our stores and the delivery drivers who go that extra mile to help. n

Explore the autumn winter collection at www.neptune.com.

Find your nearest store at: Neptune Bristol, 98B/C Whiteladies Road, Bristol, BS8 2QY ollow us on nstagram ne tunehomeo ficial

With a focus on British design, heritage craft and modern living, NEPTUNE’S new collection is a masterclass in timeless style

Stratford ellipse table and Kenilworth chairs painted in Chestnut

Walls in Potter’s Pink, Olivia headboard in Harry linen in Apricot

Ardingly desk

TAKE IT TO 11

There are always those Bristolians who go above and beyond . . .

Words and pics by Colin Moody

LET’S TAKE A LOOK at some random wonderfulness from the ast few years, from Bristolians taking it to .

1They launched the Bristol Art District in August, and on the main strip on East Street the bubble machine was set to intergalactic and filled the street with your regular bubbles and see those little gala ies back there Smoke filled bubbles

ow that’s some ne t level shenanigans right there. ust one kid sees that, and starts to wonder why, gets into science, maybe takes it further, one day goes on to invent a vaccine. ither that or a really, really big bubble machine.

t’s all good, and why we need to celebrate everyone like this bubble ueen here for taking us above the limit, and giving the street a dee cleansing al ine freshness in the rocess.

2Staying with the Bristol Art District launch, Georgie here painting a giant glitter ball community style in the middle of the street.

t’s disru tive in such a oyful way it’s hard to ignore. ow that the Upfest team are taking the art beyond the wall, those boards come out all over the city, and it’s your instant interactive art s ace for a few hours. ’m wondering what the knock on effect will be. hy do suddenly fancy hitting the club later?

3 mean, ’m sorry, forgive the indulgence, but back to the Bristol rt istrict bubble machine one more time.

Like, wow!

Forget Oppenheimer ; let’s look at the inner working of the Bristol nucleus for a moment, shall we ou can’t see um here, who ust said, e loves bubbles, we can’t move him . . .

And why would you want to move, from the centre of the gala y of fun

The chain reaction starts the minute they turn the machine on. ids and big kids, pop-pop-pop all day long.

4Bristol International Balloon Fiesta was oined by a huge crew from ollywood filming a new film. rithi Sherry here, having an iced latte between balloon scenes.

hat is ollywood, you may ask? It’s Indian cinema with a huuuuuuuge following with the Telugu language at its core.

on’t think they ever left her hair alone for a moment, as it had to look impeccable in the Bristol weather under all circumstances. aking it to . . . million followers on nstagram.

“Why would you want to move, from the centre of the galaxy of fun?”

Those light fabrics, soft as silk the moment they turn the burners on. Angles and hard glow push into your subconscious like ancestral memory.

That’s taking it to 11.

We are lighting castles in the sky.

6

Up, up there, where we go, in, the end, nobody knows, but we come, we light the fire and we renew our relationshi with the city we love every year.

Balloons.

or me it’s the eo le working, ulling on the ro es; they drive the machine that we all ride on.

7Adidas stripes blur into the spin. We all only get to go around this merry-go-round ride once. So let’s have it large.

5Night glow. Balloon. Fiesta. Epic.

8

“Where you going, babes?”

2am, sunburn, Bristol pants are gonna make it through the night. And that’s OK.

I’m not a big fan of the mobile triage that parks up in the city centre every weekend, but we are a regional hub for the whole eco system of stags, hens and various others.

However you take it to 11, be safe out there.

9Live your life your way.

Be the best you that ever could be.

Too sunny? Use that sock.

Your whole life led up to this moment, and it’s a good one, one for the record books.

Now breathe.

This is level 11.

10James Morton at the Old Duke for Old ity Sounds. very yer ying above his head another legend. Maybe it feels like interstellar travel, and time travel, and cool all at the same time…

Colin Moody; content creation, online images Twitter @moodycolin; Instagram @ colinmoodyphotography colinmoodyphotography.wordpress.com

“We only get to go around this ridemerry-go-round once. So let’s have it large”

ROOT

It’s been one of CARGO’s biggest success stories. Here’s why.

Words by Deri Robins

Photos Louis Smith @studiowhisk

Maybe it’s because Wapping Wharf is so much in the news right now; maybe it’s the thrilling convenience of the newly reopened Gaol Ferry Bridge. Maybe it’s just because summer evenings draw us inexorably down to Harbourside: either way, we can’t seem to keep away from the place.

This naturally leads to a lot of spontaneous face-feeding, because it’s impossible to stroll past the shipping containers without smelling something you like. This olfactory overload has seduced us into dining at pretty much all of the restaurants here over the past seven years, circling back many times to revisit old favourites, and the one we’ve probably circled back to the most is Root.

Root has a slightly unusual backstory. Back in autumn 2017, Josh Eggleton and Luke Hasell acquired one of the most coveted spots in the newly installed containers, with an outdoor terrace that gazed out over the waterfront, as is the way with wharves.

The plan was to turn the space into a highgrade poultry diner called Chicken Shed, but during a rapid learning curve in the kitchen it transpired that high-grade chicks don’t take kindly to being battered or deep-fried; the recipe just didn’t work. Unwilling to compromise on quality, the team went back to the drawing board.

Before you could say the word ‘pivot’, the space quietly reopened with zero fanfare or press kerfu e as Root, offering a mostly veggie menu with a few meat and fish dishes as a su orting attraction. nto the kitchen, fresh from che ng at the Pony & Trap, came young gun Rob Howell.

DINING DETAILS

6pt words on my iPhone. Defeated, I sheepishly request a paper version, so the next time you hear on the news about homeless polar bears and half of reece being on fire, you know who to blame.

We order up a pair of margaritas (they say ‘aperitif’, we say ‘keep ’em coming’), which we gratefully slurp along with a plate of cheddar and ala eno uffs four fat earthy balls of cheesy loveliness set off with fermented chilli honey under a snowfall of parmesan, far more generous in girth than anything off a snack’ menu has any right to be.

Six grilled carrots, their cheerful wonkiness attesting to a happy life pushing up through organic soil, are cooked to exactly the right amount of al dente ness, set off with a nutty tahini dressing and erked u further with reserved lemon and s icy chimichurri. late of delicately avoured courgettes has hazelnuts for crunch, and basil pesto for herby piquancy.

Root, CARGO 1, Gaol Ferry Steps; 0117 930 0260 www.rootbristol.co.uk

Opening hours Lunch: Wed-Sat midday-2.30pm; dinner: Mon- Sat 5.30-9pm

Forty years of friendship counts for nothing as C and I struggle to share the Homewood ewe’s curd dumplings nicely; we almost order up another portion, so taken are we with the milky softness beneath the toasted crumb. But look ere comes a fishy dish to distract us from the cheese; a beautiful bit of mackerel, butter ied, grilled and with a uddle of cool gazpacho to cut through the oiliness.

Price Plates £7-£16

Veggie choice That’s the main point Drinks Cocktails, craft beers, local ciders, European wine list

Service Friendly and informed

Atmosphere Relaxed, CARGO-style casual

Tapping as it did into Bristol’s burgeoning enthusiasm for all things lant based, Root took off immediately. t won awards, including a Bib Gourmand, and recently opened a sister branch in Wells, where you’ll mostly find Rob toiling away these days. t’s even ublished a cookbook.

The weather had squashed our optimistic plans to dine al fresco; we arrived during the kind of storm that blows brollies inside out and makes you wonder if you should be gathering up two of every animal We quickly scuttled indoors, where everything looks much as it did when Root first opened, except that the Estrella Damm street-art mural has been replaced by more minimal line artwork, and meat dishes have vanished entirely from the menu (a few are still on in Wells). Looking after the kitchen for Rob is oe owler, yet another graduate of the ony finishing school.

The menu is as brief and thoughtful as a haiku. The not-at-all-small plates arrive on the table when they’re ready, tapas-style, from a kitchen so close to our table that if the waitstaff had been suddenly indis osed we could have just reached over and grabbed them from the counter.

Trying to do my bit for the planet, I attempt to order via QR – an app I dislike, given that I have to squint at printed menus these days, let alone tiny

We decide to split a baked white chocolate cheesecake between us, and what a stupid idea that turns out to be. Never mind two spoons; if someone had told us it was going to be this good we’d have ordered two portions. Each. It comes in deconstructed form, the rich, dense, creamy filling scoo ed onto the late as a uenelle, loosely topped with a sprinkle of crumble and fresh raspberries. Accompanied by a couple of Wogan espressos, it was a fabulously indulgent end to a note-perfect meal.

And also, it almost goes without saying, a forward-thinking one. Such is this group’s stellar reputation, and the obvious freshness of the ingredients, that you just know you’re chowing down on the catch of the day, and on veg so local that if it could talk it would sound like The Wurzels.

Likeably, though, Root doesn’t litter its menu with sermons about hyperseasonality, carbon foot rints or ero waste. he staff don’t turn every serve into a Blue Earth Summit, soliloquising about provenance while pools of jus cool unappetisingly on your plate. We emerge joyfully unenlightened regarding the e act field from which our wonky carrots had been lucked.

Because Root knows that eating out is designed to be fun, not a showand-tell exercise; its underlying ethos may be serious, but that’s their roblem, not yours. t’s laidback, e ible and not at all ricey; you could pop in for a couple of plates and a can of Bristol Beer Laser Juice, and still leave with change from 25 quid.

It’s somehow peak Bristol, yet unlike anything else in the city. Best of all, unlike the vast majority of pleasant things in life, it’s actually good for you; never has getting your five a day been so easy or en oyable. n

CHRISTMAS THYME

Celebrate Christmas in the Cotswolds at the award-winning WILD THYME & HONEY

While Christmas may seem a world away, you can bet it’ll come around fast. Just outside of Cirencester, boutique hotel Wild Thyme & Honey will be decking the halls and lighting the fires to ensure this year’s festivities are the warmest and most special yet.

Reminiscent of an all time favourite festive film, the picture perfect ots olds come alive during the festive season frost coated cobblestone streets, historic homes illuminated with twinkling lights, and an atmosphere that arms even the chilliest of ecem er days

A love letter to its enchanting ackdrop, the award-winning hotel – featured in The Times’ Top 100 Best Places to Stay and ‘Top 50 Boutique Hotels of 2022’ – is located in the pictures ue village of mpney rucis, on the banks of the babbling Ampney Brook. There are 24 elegantly appointed bedrooms, and the welcoming ambience of its

village cosy pu and restaurant, The ro n, hose roaring fires and candlelit dinners capture the very essence of a ots old Christmas.

FESTIVE FEASTING

Prepare your tastebuds for a culinary journey and indulge in Wild Thyme & Honey’s signature dining e periences from ovem er to ecem er ith the finest ingredients sourced from British suppliers, their delectable dishes are sure to impress – and, of course, there’s plenty of festive fi and hristmas cocktails to go around On hristmas ay, a festive feast awaits with a six-course menu that’s nothing short of showstopping.

The festivities don’t end at the dining ta le f you’re looking to raise a glass to over the festive season, offering memora le events is where this boutique bolthole shines. With four eautiful private dining and event spaces that seat up to 100 guests, you can host an intimate dinner or sparkling soirée, or join one of their existing party nights – the perfect way to enjoy the atmosphere of a larger crowd with a handful of your favourite people

A SPARKLING STAYCATION

A winter staycation is the perfect way to soak up the Cotswolds’ magical winter wonderland. Book into one of the iverside uites to take advantage of the free-standing rolltop baths; the perfect way to unwind after a rousing country walk and a cup of mulled wine by the fire.

Why not celebrate Christmas this year in a home-fromhome? Two- or three-night residential packages are availa le from hristmas ve ith local carol services, festive films, midnight feasts and a selection of indulgent treats and divine tipples to keep you feeling merry and bright.

GIVE THE GIFT OF AN UNFORGETTABLE MEMORY

Not sure what to get that special someone ive the gift of an unforgetta le memory this Christmas with one of Wild Thyme & Honey’s gift cards, with experiences ranging from delicious food and wine to leisurely weekend getaways. n

Visit www.wildthymeandhoney.co.uk/ christmas-parties to start creating merry memories this Christmas at this much-loved jewel in the English countryside.

FOOD & DRINK

TASTY BITES FROM BRISTOL’S FOOD SCENE

TAKE FIVE With DAVE HAZELL

Dave’s head of food for the trio of Bristol restaurants and live music venues known as The Assemblies. You may well have heard his name, because he’s done time at some

Istarted washing dishes in a local restaurant when I was 13, and kept a foot in the kitchen all the way through school,” says Dave. “As soon as I left I got a job during ski season running a chalet for 30 people, cooking three meals a day, six days a week; even though I was way out of my comfort zone, I fell in love with cooking and running service.

“As soon as I came back to Bristol I found a job at the Clifton Lido as a commis chef, and started my hospitality education in earnest. I was there for five years, ending u as the senior sous chef and running all parts of the kitchen. Over the next few years I did stints at The Ox and Adelina Yard; I opened pizzeria Pi Shop for the Casamia group before heading up their Paco Tapas as head chef.”

And then, just prior to joining The Assemblies, Dave ran a vegan business, handling event catering and pop-ups in venues across Bristol. Take it from here, Dave . . .

How did the Assemblies begin?

It started with The Canteen in 2009. The Assemblies grew quickly, opening No.1 Harbourside in 2012, then The Old Market Assembly in 2015. Wanting to retain the individuality of each of the different areas of Bristol they represented, while retaining the overriding philosophy of local, seasonal and accessible food, booze and party nights,The Assemblies made a conscious decision to keep the independence of each venue.

Give us a snapshot of each of the restaurants

The Canteen is the first born, ushing the boundaries with trailblazing concepts. A great vegan and veggie menu, and free, live music six nights a week.

No.1 Harbourside is the middle child, right in the city centre making a noise. It’s French head chef has taken the brunch and burger offering to the ne t level, with live music on alternate weekends

The Old Market Assembly is the baby, a charming, sociable space with great food, great booze and great gigs. Always ready to party!

Is there an overriding philosophy that links all three venues?

To create beautiful sustainable venues with ethical practices, celebrating and supporting Bristol’s communities and economy through quality food, drink and entertainment.

Everything we do at The Assemblies is underpinned by three values.

People: respecting, rewarding and valuing those we work with, caring for our social responsibility, bringing value to our communities.

Planet: using local, ethical suppliers, minimising our carbon footprint, working with the seasons, removing single-use plastic, reducing food waste.

rofit ensuring financial viability means we can continue to create opportunities right across the city.

of Bristol’s top restaurants – and like so many other hospitality heroes, he started at the bottom…

“The Assemblies has made a conscious decision to keep the independence of each venue”

Dave surveys his domain

What does your day-to-day role as head of food look like?

My role is to oversee the big picture, pushing for sustainability in our ingredients and methods, supplier selection and potential areas of growth in food sales, allowing the head chefs to be able to concentrate on the daily running of the kitchens. I’m also a support to all the kitchens, and the head chefs in particular, helping the teams and venues live up to our eo le, lanet and rofit ethos.

What have you, personally, brought to the Assemblies mix?

I think the kitchens have formed a stronger food identity at each site during my time with the company and have a stronger sense of stability, allowing the head chefs to come up with really exciting menus.

And what is your ultimate aim for the kitchens?

On top of great-tasting, sustainable menus want staff to have the best work life balance possible, with a big push for mental health awareness and teams that feel looked after

STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS

t’s farewell to asta oco, then; but prepare to say ‘ciao!’ to the latest opening from our favourite Bristol-Italians, due to open at 89 Whiteladies Road any day now.

The name Pazzo translates as ‘crazy’, which seems appropriate for anyone mad enough to open a new restaurant in current times, but given the Bianchis group’s track record we can also see it being crazy-popular.

ect a high end offering, closer in feel to Bianchis in Stokes Croft than the group’s more casual dining Pasta Ripiena or Cotto.

@pazzobristol on instagram

and have the time and tools to take care of themselves.

Tempt us with a current favourite dish Designing one of our upcoming menus, my favourite dish was based around the simple carrot. Blanched in a sweet and fragrant stock, then glazed in a reduction and charred on the planche, served with a creamy and zesty hazelnut and watercress pesto. Also our pork skewers, sourced from 15 miles away, slowcooked for 18 hours and served with a local ale BBQ sauce, is a winner as well.

…and your favourite current ingredient? The baby beets we’re getting from local organic farm Three Hares.

What’s your favourite style of cooking? efinitely cooking over fire; small ta as style dishes cooked on charcoal or in wood ovens is what really excites me.

For more: www.canteenbristol.co.uk

www.no1harbourside.co.uk

www.oldmarketassembly.co.uk

THE SPICE IS RIGHT

Raja Munuswamy and Arvind Pawar, the apparently unstoppable team behind Nutmeg in Clifton, Nadu in Stokes Croft and Kal Dosa on the Glo Road, have just opened a new Indian Restaurant on St Augustine’s Parade.

The brief for Nutmeg Street Kitchen is to celebrate India’s vibrant street markets via an array of dishes, flavours, and ingredients that define its cuisine. Headed up by Michelin-trained chef Shishir Sinha, the kitchen’s philosophy revolves around the journey from farm to market to plate, with cooking influences from the Himalayan region and various Indian states using traditional wood fire and natural smoking methods.

“Research-based cooking is key at Nutmeg Street Kitchen,” says Chef. “We delve into the rich history and intricate details of Indian cuisine, breathing new life into traditional recipes. Our reliance on traditional techniques like smokers, tandoors and charcoal brings out the best in classic dishes, creating an unmatched dining experience.”

www.nutmegbristol.com

THEY’VE A HORSEBOX OUTSIDE

The idea for Bagelry Box was dreamed up by founders Flo and George seven years ago when they were working as chefs in London. After moving to Bristol they fell in love with the community, indie feel of Wapping Wharf, and now they’re down at Cargo 2 every day except Tuesdays, selling their superior bagels, baked fresh every morning at 4am, from Baldrick, their converted horsebox. Flavours include smoked salmon, sourced from neighbours Clifton Seafood Company; 10-hour smoked pastrami, and the brunch bagel, with plenty of options for both meat eaters and vegetarians; look out for their Everything Bagel bun, too, cooked with a secret blend of herbs and spices.

www.bagelrybox.co.uk

HAPPY HOUR AGAIN

Bristol Cocktail Weekend is nearly upon us. Running 28 September-1 October, it’s the latest initiative from the tireless Bristol City Centre bid, this time working with Living For The Weekend.

The Weekend is designed to showcases mad mixology skills while celebrating Bristol’s best cocktail venues. You swap your e-tickets for wristbands at the Naked Malt Hub at Bambalan, giving you access to £6 signature cocktails in every participating venue. The cocktails are kept secret; you’re encouraged to try something new as you make your way through the bars, where some venues will also offer no alcohol versions for .

There’s food to mop up the booze, too, with participating venues offering a host of deals on such delights as gyros at Bambalan and sourdough pizzas at Flight Club. To further get you into the mood, events and experiences take place during the week prior to the fest, while for the big finale on ctober, er a esty’s Secret Service and Bristol Film Festival are presenting a drink-a-long screening of – and you’re probably way ahead of us here – the movie Cocktail, with three themed concoctions for your delectation.

And in case you were planning on getting absolutely leathered on an unholy mix of tequila, gin and vodka, you are politely requested to drink responsibly. This is a council-backed initiative, after all.

Here’s hoping Stan Cullimore (next page) won’t chase us for royalties for using his lyrics in the header above. We’ll be keeping a nervous eye on email.

www.bristolcocktailweekend.co.uk

GRAB A PIZZA THE ACTION

Could you come up with the recipe for the perfect pizza? Franco Manca is launching a nationwide com etition to find the ’s best creation – whoever cooks up the best recipe will have their pizza featured on ranco anca’s s ecials board across the , and win a state-of-the-art Gozney pizza oven. Details below: go on, make Bristol proud.

www.francomanca.co.uk

A Cosy Club pour; left, from top: Cocktail Club, Dirty Martini

STAN CULLIMORE

Easily Med

Straight outta Chalkida, the Greek franchise Coffee Lab has reached the Gloucester Road

So there was the other morning, sitting in a rather nice caf , si ing a rather nice mericano, nibbling delicious little biscuits, reek style. eeling for all the world like was en oying a la y summer holiday, on a rather nice editerranean island, far, far away. bout the only things missing were the coconutty aroma of suncream and the vague ossibility of an afternoon snoo e on the beach.

t was a most leasing way to ass the time. n e cellent return on investment, too. ll

it took were a few moments cycling from home to find myself chilled and content as any ha y holidaymaker on a ackage deal to the sun. arvellous.

he main reason life felt so good was that a mate and were sitting in offee ab, down on the loucester Road, towards he rches. newish caf , and art of a reek franchise, which, must admit, is one sentence never e ected to ty e. reek franchise coffee sho right here in Bristol town.

t has branches in reece, and is very big in astern uro e, but Bristol is only it’s third o ening after anchester and, err. Runcorn. t’s also the first street coffee chain to fully im lements the conce t of third wave coffee’, focusing on high uality beans and lighter roasts.

verything about it makes the heart swell with warm delight. he interior is new, s arkling, airy and bright. eels absolutely fab, too. ven the restrooms are a treat for the senses. Swish and lu urious. orth visiting ust to en oy a stroll through the me anine indoor seating area.

hen my coffee com anion and went to the counter for drinks, we found four coffee roasts on offer, along with sim le, clear tasting notes. Big ticks all round. fter a moment of mulling over the o tions, we both went for the uatemalan

beans, choosing a couple of fine looking snack side orders to kee them com any. trio of moustokouloura, the delicious biscuits mentioned above, along with a slice of rather fine looking a le ie. S oiler alert it tasted even better than it looked, which is ust about the best thing you can say about any sort of ie, in my humble crumble o inion.

s ecially a le ie. mm. le y.

e sat in the sunshine, in the sort of conservatory, glass fronted thingy, out front, watching the world ow by, which is when the feeling that we were on an island holiday oated gently to mind.

otally reminded me of laces have visited while on hot holidays abroad. o doubt you have visited them too. ither way, it was a most leasant way to ass a cou le of ha y hours. t hel ed that the staff were lovely, smiley and friendly, too.

n need of some holiday vibes, looking for a bit of editerranean magic, but haven’t got the time or inclination to head for the south ell, then you, my friend, are in luck. ust head over to the loucester Road and say to this lovely little hots ot. t could be ust what your soul’s been searching for. n

Former Housemartins guitarist Stan is now a journalist and travel writer @stancullimore on instagram

“The only things missing were the coconutty aromas of suncream and the vague possibility of an afternoon snoo e on the beach

LIVING LUXURY

HARVEY NICHOLS BRISTOL sets a precedent for luxury corporate events and gifting in the South West.

The luxury store offers customers the very best in fashion, beauty, food and wine. In addition, the award winning Second Floor Restaurant and Bar provides the perfect space to enjoy a delicious brunch, light lunch or indulgent dinner, with an extensive drinks list to match.

The store also provides a dedicated corporate service to business customers for small to large companies based in the South West. Michelle Thompson, press and

marketing manager, explains a bit more about the bespoke offering.

“The corporate team at Harvey Nichols provides a concièrge service to our business clients. Whether you wish to host a memorable event for your staff or customers, or your preference is for gifting, we can help with everything from the most intricate hamper orders to large-scale functions and events.

“The Second Floor has its own private dining room for intimate events along with a stylish restaurant/bar with commanding views of Quakers Friars. The Second Floor spaces can be hired individually or as a whole depending on requirements. Ideal for Christmas parties, corporate receptions, private lunches, dinners and reakfast riefings, the econd loor team can create unique events tailored to your specific needs ork closely ith clients to design a food and beverage menu to suit the individual style of their event, creating memorable experiences for customers. There’s also the option to hire the whole store for an out-of-hours shopping party.

“If you’re searching for the perfect gift, as part of the corporate team, I offer a dedicated concièrge service to support with congratulating staff, building client

relationships and festive gifting. From our best-selling food and wine hampers to extraordinary experiences such as 1:1 styling within our private shopping department and beauty pampering, there’s plenty to choose from. We offer a wide range of premium gifting options, from beauty gift boxes to luxury food and wine hampers. If our preselected hampers aren’t uite the perfect fit, we can tailor the product selection to suit your specific re uirements Moreover, our streamlined fulfilment solutions ensure that the process is stress-free and straightforward. For loyal clients we also offer exclusive discounts and added enefits, such as personalisation and REWARDS points, on corporate orders.”

For any enquiries regarding events or gifting solutions with Harvey Nichols in the South West, contact Michelle on: 0117 916 8898 or email: Michelle.Thompson@harveynichols.com.

We need to talk about Christmas. No, we’re not remotely jingling yet either; but if you want to book the best spots in town for your big festive bash, now ’tis absolutely the season

Words by Deri Robins

Pieminister: even Christmas dinner tastes better in a pie

t’s OK guys. We know. Nobody wants to listen to us talking turkey and tinsel in mid-September, but it’s for your own good. You may not feel like getting your big Christmas party organised when we’re still on the autumn side of allowe’en and Bonfire ight, but you can bet your bottom Bristol ound R that lenty of other businesses across the city will be busily getting their acts together; if you don’t jump on those booking websites right now you may as well kiss goodbye to your first second, third, thirteenth choice of venue.

Sorry, what ou’ll leave it until late ovember and take your chances ine, go ahead, live dangerously, but be re ared for a lot of hard looks from the team when you herd them sheepishly towards a few remaining sticky tables at ’S oons.

Still not feeling it ust stick on Now That’s What I call Christmas! insert year of choice , our yourself a sweet sherry and get stuck into some of the tastiest ro ositions in town; there’s a huge and varied choice out there . . .

1AQUA

The class act

Christmas at Aqua is all about large scale celebrations and artying. ect stylish, bu y vibes as you tuck into e uisite traditional Christmas food gravla , roast turkey stri loin of beef from lannaborough arm Brixham sea bass, Christmas ud, etc , all brought you by su er rofessional staff who know e actly how to make you feel festive and s ecial. www.aqua-restaurant.com

2BAMBALAN Disco

inferno

Bambalan will transform into a winter party land with festive disco vibes, live s playing the best in house and disco, erformers and lenty of disco balls. here’s s ace for u to , including two heated outdoor terraces, and a sharing menu that dares to be different editerranean style cris ork belly, or omegranate and a’atar chicken su reme, anyone www.bambalan.co.uk

3THE BIANCHIS GROUP

Talking Italian

While each of the family’s restaurants – Bianchis in Montpelier, Pasta Ripiena and Cotto on St Stephen’s Street, and exciting new opening Pazzo on Whiteladies (see page 59) – have a different menu and vibe, they all share a similar approach to décor; don’t expect a full-on festive onslaught, just ‘a hint of Christmas’, with tasteful accents of holly and mistletoe. Ripiena and Cotto are both small enough to make full-venue hire a great option; at Ripiena, except an old-crew vibe and ‘a disco version of Christmas’. Cotto, being part-restaurant, partbar, is especially versatile and ideal for mingling.

Foodwise, Ripiena is staying true to its stuffed pasta remit, with the likes of turkey and cranberry ravioli; next door, Cotto will be bringing the classic pasta dishes. At Bianchis, you’ll find the closest thing to an Italian Christmas feast; think whole fish, porchetta and so on – this year for the first time they’re open on Christmas Eve for a long lunch.

And what about Pazzo, which is closer to the slightly more formal vibe of Bianchis than the more casual Cotto and Ripiena? Well, it’s all still very new, but Dom Borel is promising a menu “full of Italian soul, but influenced by [co-founder and exec chef] Ben and my travels around the world”.

Basically, it’s all going to be ‘wicked’. You know it. www.bianchisrestaurant.co.uk

Bianchis: just add holly

4BOCABAR Maximum joy

Both Bocabar Finzels

Reach and Bocabar Paintworks are set to bring maximum joy to your festive celebrations, with their large gorgeous spaces, including the huge fairylit stretch tent at Finzels, glitzed up with plenty of sparkle, a buzzy, festive dress-up vibe, banging Christmas cocktails, mulled cider and Christmas dance tunes.

Choose between a sit-down Christmas menu or seasonal pizza specials – we’re having the Piggy Prancer pizza with pigs in blankets, caramelised red onions, green peppers, roast chestnuts and mozzarella on tomato, finished with siracha mayo and red basil; or maybe go over to the veggie side with nut roast clusters, Christmas spiced crispy onions and cranberry.

On the set course menu, how about salt-baked celeriac and sweet potato en-croute with wild mushroom duxelles, garlic- and rosemary-roasted potatoes, carraway-roasted carrots, mapleroasted parsnips, smoky sprouts and sage gravy? Thought so. www.bristol.bocabar.co.uk

5BRISTOL MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Nights at the museum

Picture a Narnia-themed winter wonderland for 100 to 400

guests. A mythical, enchanted forest with snow-topped Christmas trees, twinkling lights, dramatic coloured snow ake illuminations, lanterns, icicles, and your actual Lion, Witch and Wardrobe. You can even hire one of the galleries as part of your party for an extramemorable night.

On the menu, we have the likes of blue cheese and ham croquettes with plum purée and poached pears, cherry and bourbon-glazed pork belly with Yorkshire pud and crackling, gingerbread tri e www.bristolmuseums.org.uk

6

BRISTOL PACKET

Pushing the boat out

Everything’s more fun on a boat. Both Flower of Bristol and Bagheera are covered and heated, and can host up to 50 people: cruise through the city, admiring the twinkly re ections on the water as the Prosecco pops in the fully licensed bar, and the speakers play your own choice of music. The crew can also sort you out with snack platters, pizza or fish and chi s. ro er Bristol.

www.bristolpacket.co.uk

7CANTEEN

Plant-based heaven

Belting Bristol food and

booze followed by free live music, all with a fun, friendly, and relaxed party vibe. The fully veggie menu includes such delights as celeriac dauphinoise with braised red cabbage and quince, roast beetroot and leek with blue cheese sauce, chicory and candied walnuts, and Penang pumpkin curry.

www.canteenbristol.co.uk

9

CLAYTON HOTEL

Cocktails and a sleepover

This new hotel has a versatile range of festive offerings, along

with discounted bedroom rates; you could come for cocktails in Everard’s Bar before heading out into the city, or hire the lower bar exclusively. For diners, the menu has everything from the classic turkey and Christmas pud to fish or gammon, with vegan and vegetarian options.

www.claytonhotelbristolcity.com

HARBOUR HOUSE

Boogie in a boatshed

Brunel’s beautiful boatshed comes alive with large parties and many, many espresso martinis; any size or style of party can be accommodated, while the snug waterfront winter terrace is fully covered, fully decorated, heated and furnished with plenty of blankets.

There’s turkey, of course, although the slowcooked shoulder of lamb with dauphinoise potatoes makes a perfect alternative.

www.hhbristol.com

8

CHRISTMAS STEPS

A Christmas carol

The most Christmassy pub in Bristol. Not only is it on the Christmas Steps, which looks insanely Dickensian even in midJuly, never mind a frosty night in December, but the pub itself is over 400 years old and heaving with character. The festive menu includes confit duck breast with potato rosti, kohlrabi and shallot purée, along with a nod to ’70s kitsch classics such as prawn cocktail and a meringuey spin on Black Forest gateau.

www.thechristmassteps.com

11HARVEY NICHOLS

What a swellegant, elegant party…

Both the elegant Second loor Restaurant and Second loor Bar offer a range of seasonal dining o tions, from cana s and bowl food to sit down dinners, with e ibility for individual touches such as bes oke cocktails, erformers and musicians. he very su erior menu includes gla ed lokma doughnuts, s iced reedy arver duck liver arfait, Bri ham caught cod, south coast mussel bis ue, and dark chocolate rofiteroles, com lemented by arvey ichols cham agne. www.harveynichols.com

12HAVELI AT THE YARD

Spice and easy

ooking for something different ow about an indulgent ndian sharing menu, showcasing the

13

HYPE AGENCY/FOSTERS

D.I.S.C.O.

Think big. No, really big… For 2023, Hype transports you to 1970s Manhattan and all the extravagance and glamour of the Studio 54 disco scene. For the first time, its Xmas parties will be held at new venue Document in St Jude’s, where top caterers Fosters keep you fed and watered with glowed-up throwback classics such as cauli cheese, chicken Kiev and Black Forest trifle. www.hypeagency.co.uk

best of ndia’s different culinary regions, from homemade samosas to rawn moilee, finished with a selection of e ertly crafted cocktails

www.havelitheyard.co.uk

14THE KENSINGTON ARMS

Simply Redland

he classic gastro ub will be combining indulgent festive treats with the vibe of your favourite local within the elegant and intimate rivate dining rooms; menu wise there’s the usual enny deliciousness of elevated British classics drawing on immaculate local roduce, served with fine dining air.

www.thekensingtonarms.co.uk

15THE METROPOLITAN

C’est chic legant modern cooking meets great tunes, a bu y atmos here, cool cocktails and fun vibes in this slick, chic yet rela ed new modern neighbourhood restaurant on hiteladies. e’re having their

THE MILK THISTLE Club class

Bona-fide cocktail institution the Milkie brings a touch of festive class to groups of up to 120 spread over its four lovely floors. Classic cocktails are complemented by food by sister restaurant The Ox; expect the likes of marmalade-roast ham and charcoal-roast dry- aged T-bone steak, for a turkeyfree Christmas feast. www.milkthistlebristol.com

famous confit otato, artmoor venison cooked over coals, or maybe duck doughnut; you www.metropolitanbristol.com 17

OLD MARKET ASSEMBLY

M SHED

Starry starry nights ave yourself an enchanted little arbourside hristmas; take in the city lights from the rivate terrace with a glass of fi or a cocktail, before tucking into dinner before shimmering on the dance oor. oodwise we’re talking such delights as ma le gla ed halloumi and fig, orange and omegranate couscous and rosemary and garlic basted turkey finished with mulled fruits and ton mess. www.bristolmuseums.org.uk 18

The crowd-pleasers hether you’re thinking small or going big, the friendly uts a cosy, s arkly and delicious s in on festive affairs, with e clusive wines aired with the ethically sourced food. fter sharing starters you’ll tuck into mains including s uash and chestnut ellington or salt cured confit leg of duck, followed by desserts for the table including a rich chocolate delice and a salted caramel cheesecake. www.oldmarketassembly.co.uk

No.1 HARBOURSIDE

On the waterfront hristmas cocktails and s ecial little e tras at both lunch and dinner make your rela ed arty at o. arbourside go off with a bang; at brunch there’s smoked salmon or cured beetroot followed by classic dishes with hristmas twists. he evening menu brings stacked burgers with vegan, veggie and meat o tions, all sourced as locally as ossible. ive music at the weekends, too. www.no1harbourside.co.uk

21

PONY CHEW MAGNA

Escape from the city

We can’t wait to see what the Pony does with its fabulous new dining spaces this Christmas, but we know to expect elevated homely comfort, countryside views and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. The menu from Josh features a modern take on traditional British festive food, with, he promises, “some showstoppers”. www.theponychewvalley.co.uk

22

SPOTTED COW

Do have a Cow, man Southville’s finest will be bringing the cheer with food from its highly regarded kitchen, and cosy vibes radiating from the large log fired woodburner and softly ickering candles. Menu starters include

rabbit terrine, maybe followed by classic turkey ballotine with chicken liver stu ng and smoked bacon gravy, finishing with chocolate and orange tri e.

www.thespottedcowbristol.com

23

SALT & MALT

Festive fishies

Everyone’s favourite fish and chi ie is running a three-course festive menu; new private dining room The Fish Tank, overlooking the harbour, is available to book exclusively for a Christmas menu switch-up.

www.saltandmalt.co.uk

24

STEAM BRISTOL

Happy hour again Steam throw some of the best Christmas parties in town, so

expect fun times, whether it’s Christmas drinks after work or big parties with sharing platters and drinks; although happy hour runs until 7pm, for £5 extra guests get a VIP wristband so they can enjoy half-price drinks until close of play. Food comes with a

PIEMINISTER

Eyes on the pies

Bristol’s OG of crowd-pleasing Chrimbo feasting bring perfect, sustainable pies and sides for everyone – vegan, coeliac or veggie, they’ve got your back – as well as being amazing value. This December marks Pieminister’s 20th birthday, so they’ve already begun the party – all you need to do is turn up and join in.

Menu-wise, they’re bringing back their ‘festive five’ flavours – if you know, you know – along with the bottomless festive feast: two hours of free-flowing fizz, pints and select cocktails, plus a pie feast stacked with all the sides and a festive pud.

www.pieminister.co.uk

southern-fried twist, such as the chicken sharing platter for two with fried mini chicken fillets, wings, tater tots, cranberry glazed cocktail sausages and lashings of hot cheese sauce and southernstyle gravy. n

www.steambristol.co.uk

THE HIDEAWAY

Tucked away on a quiet street in BS9 lies a hidden gem of a restaurant: THE HIDEAWAY

This contemporary and independently owned dining venue may look like an Apple store, ith its floor to ceiling glazed frontage, but it is in fact a perfect spot for any occasion from a casual brunch to a wedding reception. One of the best things about this venue though, is that the experience of visiting will leave you feeling like you’ve discovered somewhere special and want to come back for more.

Starting out in December 2019 the journey has been far from straightforward for the restaurant, but with perseverance and a continual evolution of their service (and some blue-sky thinking on offers and events) they have survived and are now emerging from the other side of the pandemic and cost of living crisis.

There’s a keen focus on service from the moment you’re seated in the relaxed and contemporary surroundings through to the inevitable question of what to have for dessert.

A constant need for hospitality venues nowadays is the ability to pivot quickly with fresh ideas and to make the most of the space.The Hideaway’s next endeavour is to go retro as they bring in-person social networking ack to the orld They’ll e offing the chance to drop in as an individual or a group to meet new people and expand your social circles in their relaxed, comfortable environment with some light snacks and a fully stocked bar to

grease the wheels.

Of course there is the ‘normal’ daily service at the restaurant with food and drink offered from 9am every day. The Hideaway’s menus feature a wide variety of dishes, all made with fresh, seasonal ingredients that are cooked on site, allowing them to cater to practically any dietary requirement or desire a customer might have. They even have a take on tapas which is particularly interesting for those wanting to share or after a smaller option. For mains, you can’t go wrong with the ribeye steak or the chicken saltimbocca, and for dessert, be sure to try either of the homemade options of sticky toffee pudding or indulgent Nutella cheesecake.

off and leave you pondering an excuse for your next visit.

A focus on design within the well-thought- out interior means the space is perfectly set up for events and special occasions as various table combinations allow parties to either have their own area of the restaurant, take the entire venue or simply gather as a group across sofas, bar stools and regular seating – there’s even a ft hesterfield sofa

The Hideaway’s regular visitors are invited to sign up to their mailing list as VIPs, giving them exclusive access to a continuous stream of events and offers which keep them coming back week after week. It’s free to sign up and members can enjoy invitations to events such as complimentary tasting evenings, kids’ cinema nights, wine tastings and theme nights as well as seasonal events for Halloween, Christmas and New Year celebrations.

If you’ve not already done so, make a date to head over and visit to experience it all for yourself. n

The wine list is equally impressive, with a wide selection of wines from the familiar to the slightly left field, continually curated y the same local supplier that started with the restaurant back in 2019. Plus, if you’re feeling like a real treat the cocktail menu is full of creative and indulgent options from a classic Cosmo to a seasonal special to take the edge

ROCKET ESPRESSO GIOTTO CRONOMETRO

R MACHINE, £2,236.80

Impressive name, impressive machine, to take your home brew to the next level. The admittedly eyewatering price includes six months Roasters Choice Espresso subscription, a two hour home barista workshop with Extract trainers and a home barista box rom xtract o ee oasters nit ew atton oad wwwextractco ee.co.uk

BREW LOVE

DENBY STUDIO COFFEE DRIPPER, £35

So simple to use, and brings out the cleanest avour from your coffee rom arvey ichols hiladel hia treet www.harveynichols.com

RIDE & GRIND ROCKET FUEL GROUND COFFEE, £12

We desire these tins just for the aesthetics, but the contents are no less exciting; the blend of Brazilian, Nicaraguan, and Colombian beans are ideal for a rich espresso, smooth latte or a bold Americano rom arvey ichols hiladel hia treet www.harveynichols.com

NORDAL WEVA RATTAN CREAMER

JUG, £9 (FROM £16.50)

Sweet little milk jug with a woven cane base and handle from this Danish brand; team with ’70sstyle mugs for retro bohemian style rom on ote a orth treet www.mon ote.co.uk

KÜHN KERAMIK DARLING

MUG, £45

Kühn Keramik handmade earthenware mugs draw on the company’s treasure trove of historical documents, fine typographies, and hand-painted illustrations; this one, we learn, is inspired by lice in onderland rom a e he all www.ma eclothing.co.uk

ALUNA COCONUT COFFEE LIQUEUR, £22

Local company Aluna’s original Coconut Rum has been called “Malibu for mindful millennials”. Watch out then, Kahlua and Patrón, because Gen Z may have just found its new favourite coffee li ueur; we know we have . . . rom luna oconut um www.alunacoconut.com

t’s nternational offee ay on 1 October. Please don’t insult us with instant . . .

CHEMEX 6 CUP CLASSIC, £54.50

Invented in 1941 by a chemist, the Chemex was designed to not only make brewing the perfect cup simple, but do it in a stylish and aesthetic vessel; the result being a delicate cup, free of bitter elements and oils rom lifton o ee oasters sland rade ark vonmouth www.cliftonco ee.co.uk

WHITE COFFEE ON TETA

BALCONY CANDLE, £40

dmittedly, this smells nothing like coffee, it’s more like orange blossom and honey – long story, see the website – we just couldn’t resist the name From Ustudio, 115 Gloucester Road www.ustudio.shop

MOTTA WOODEN COFFEE TAMPER, £24.95

The gold standard in coffee tam ers, for one of the most satisfying jobs a barista can do rom xtract o ee Roasters, Unit 1, New Gatton Road wwwextractco ee.co.uk

PSYCHOPOMP

COFFEE DIGESTIF, £22

ade using a single origin coffee bean. Not a liqueur, but closer to an alcoholic cold brew, with beans roasted locally by Radical Roasters Psychopomp Distillery, 145 St Michael Hill; www.microdistillery.co.uk

MAZZER LUX D COFFEE GRINDER, £1,014

Elevate the daily grind; dial in any coffee you like, and repeat your perfect recipe day after day rom xtract o ee oasters Unit 1, New Gatton Road wwwextractco ee.co.uk

LULU COPENHAGEN DATE EARRING, £25

ove coffee so much you want to wear it? This gold-plated silver single earring by cool Danish brand Lulu Copehnagen makes a subtle statement rom race abel he all www.graceandmabel.co.uk

JOEY KOALA HOUSE MOKHA CARAMEL SAUCE, £6

Made in the UK with real cream and natural ingredients. Originally designed as a popcorn sauce, but we say this blend of freshly ground coffee and finely ground chocolate could lend itself to all manner of indulgences

From UStudio, 115 Gloucester Road www.ustudio.shop

HK LIVING CERAMIC SPOONS, SET OF FOUR, £23.95 om lete your coffee e erience with your own ’ s ceramic spoons. You could even *whisper it quietly* use them for spooning out loose tea, too… From Fox+ Feather, 41 Gloucester Road www.foxandfeather.co.uk

CURA: USING INNOVATION TO HEAL YOUR CONDITION

Are you looking for relief from pain and immobility caused by osteoarthritis, back conditions and sports injury? WE CAN HELP.

Here at CURA, we use the latest technologies: MBST Cell Regeneration Therapy and Deep Tissue Laser Therapy to heal and repair the damaged tissues. We combine these technologies with hands-on Chiropractic and Physiotherapy to ensure your body heals itself to its maximum potential.

We treat these conditions:

Back pain

Knee Conditions

Ankles and feet

Sciatica and slipped discs

Muscle and tendon injuries

Hip conditions

Shoulder conditions

Osteoarthritis

Neck pain and restriction

Headaches and migraines

CASE STUDY Sally came to me with a lot of pain in her mid foot, which she’s had a long time. Virtually all the cartilage had gone and there was considerable bone damage (almost a Charcot joint for the medics out there). Fortunately one of the strengths of MBST is treating bone marrow odoema (inflammation and swelling in bone commonly found in more severely arthritic joints).

This photo was taken the day I discharged her, 7 months post MBST. She’s pain free!….why? … Because MBST stimulates cells that heal the structures in our body. In this case, osteoblasts we’re the enabled cells that replenish healthy bone cells. Great outcome for a lovely patient.

R R S

Be their guest: Nell Robins discovers a welcoming spirit of collaboration at a beautiful Bristol salon

Owned and run by husband-and-husband team Adam and Ben, Price Driscoll opened in Bristol last October. It’s their second salon, building on the success of their Clevedon branch, and they’ve found an absolute gem of a location at the he eneral. With its venerable stone walls and arches, the room resembles nothing so much as a rather lu urious bodega, an industrial s ace set off beautifully by contemporary, monochromatic furnishings enhanced with bright splashes of red and yellow foliage.

I booked in for a colour with Ilona, who tells me she’s a ainter when she’s off duty, and a cut with Rosie, who trained at revor Sorbie as a precision stylist.

Although I was pretty sure I knew what I wanted, I asked the team about current styles and trends – what’s hot, and what’s not?

It’s still all about balayage, says Ilona, but techniques keep changing and there are more and better ways to achieve the look being developed all the time, as people push the envelo e with different tones. uts, on the other hand, are changing massively. Rosie is seeing ’80s and ’90s styles, harsh layers, ’60’sstyle Bardot bangs and (oh yes) mullets.

I’d originally planned to have a bright ashy blonde for my balayage, but Ilona

advised that a warmer colour would be a better complement for my hair colour and complexion. Using my natural colour to help contrast with the blonde, she set about brightening the front and the underneath.

I asked Rosie to take my length shorter than my usual cut, sitting just below my collar bone. I also wanted to resuscitate my bangs, but fuller than before. As someone who works in hospitality I needed a low-maintenance style; Rosie suggested a mostly blunt cut with gentle long layers, to give the hair natural movement, but not so much that it would cause it to completely bounce up. She also brought my bangs down to the start of my ear, owing to sha e my face; these now fall nicely when I wear my hair up, shaping my face, and looking full, rather than exposing the scalp.

I loved the fresh, citrussy-smelling Oribe products used by Price Driscoll– they’re the only salon in Bristol to do so. Created by J-LO’s Cuban stylist, who looked after supermodels in the ’90s, Oribe uses incredibly high quality ingredients leading to long-lasting effects; they’re also a roved, vegan and carbon-neutral – hugely eco-conscious, yet a luxury product.

LEFT: The historic industrial space is set off by cool, contemporary salon furniture; BELOW: see if you can tell the ‘before’ from the ‘after’

At the core of the Price Driscoll brand is a spirit of collaboration: between the creative team, between other businesses they align with, and with you, their guest. It prides itself on being customer led, offering clients as many options as possible; when they recruit, says Ben, they look first and foremost at personality – skills, they say can be taught. Certainly, I felt welcomed and listened to, and my time spent in the salon was utterly relaxing – even using the cloakroom with its Oribe products was a treat – and I emerged with the balayage and cut of dreams.

Ben and Adam’s aim is for Price Driscoll to become one of the city’s ‘best-known secrets’ –which somehow sums up their unique brand of accessibility and exclusivity to a tee. n

Where? Unit 6, The General, Lower Guinea Street; 0117 929 9981; www.pricedriscoll.co.uk

Open: Tuesdays-Saturdays

How much? Price Driscoll is a gender-neutral salon; services are priced according to time required and not your gender – see website for options

“Price Driscoll’s aim is to become one of Bristol’s ‘best- known secrets’”

0117

214

BUYING CARPET & FLOORING IN BRISTOL MADE SIMPLE

We have one of the largest selections of carpets, laminate, vinyl and karndean flooring in bristol and the south west region. Our flooring showroom is conveniently situated at longwell green bristol with free parking; so when buying your next carpet or flooring, why not come and experience our wide range, first class fitting service and great prices for yourself?

FIND YOUR PERFECT HAIRSTYLIST

We know that once you have found your perfect hair stylist, who knows just what you like and how you like it, if they move on from that salon it can be hard to track them down. Therefore, we are delighted to introduce for those of you who are looking for a new hairdresser (or re-introduce for some of you looking to find these two),

Rosie (top) and Ilona (bottom) who both were working within salons in the Clifton area and have joined our expanding team here at Price Driscoll Hair Collab, located at The General in Redcliffe.

Both Rosie and Ilona are masters of their craft. Rosie is a Vidal Sassoon master cutter who, along with Ben, works with editorial cutting and styling and fashion weeks. She creates tailored looks to your face shape, hair type and lifestyle. Ilona is our technical director, a Goldwell-accredited master colourist, with extensive colour knowledge who creates bespoke glamorous and expensive looking balayages, highlights and blondes. Both Rosie and Ilona also work collaboratively with our guests if they wanted to have the best of both in their visit. We would welcome you to come visit us and meet the team for yourself.

We are offering a complimentary upgrade with a personalised Oribe hair treatment worth over £20 with every cut and finish: new client appointment. To take advantage of this offer, simply use the code BRISTOLLIFE when booking online or quote it over the phone.

WHERE WE ARE:

We are situated within the stunning redevelopment of The General. We proudly sit alongside some highly regarded restaurants and personal training establishments. The salon space is unlike any other hair salon in Bristol; located within the building itself, it has been created with a nod to heritage while customising a purpose-built interior to provide a considered salon experience featuring ergonomically designed furniture for your comfort and relaxation.

You can book a complimentary consultation with Rosie or Ilona via our website www.pricedriscoll.co.uk if you would like to get a feel for what they can do for you n

“A PLACE WITH NO JUDGEMENT, WHERE CREATIVITY AND PASSION EVOLVE AND THRIVE”

PRICE DRISCOLL HAIR strives to build you the best experience, whether slotted into a busy working day or during some prolonged pampering ‘me time’

MEET THE HEALTH CARE EXPERT

We talk to the experts who can help you feel good about yourself

ALEX PARFORD

BRISTOL PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC

0117 9738319

www.bristolphysiotherapyclinic.co.uk

What are your goals?

Longevity for others is my goal and being able to give people the best possible opportunity to live a long and healthy life. I want to change the health and fitness industry to encourage people to stay active at all stages of their life rather that it being about aesthetics and performance for the younger generation.

What are the benefits of the treatment that you offer?

I believe it is not just about how many years we live for but the quality of those years. Exercise is the number one tool that we have to mitigate against injury and illness and not only improves our lifespan but how well we move, feel and ultimately live.

What is the longevity programme?

I created the longevity programme due to the huge benefits that exercise can not only have on your immediate health but also for the long-term. The programme has been designed to be completely unique to a person’s body, gender, age, history and goals and will give individuals insight and realistic targets. Whether your goals are to stay active with your kids or to start or keep training for triathlons this programme is for you.

CRAIG HOBSON

CRAIG HOBSON AESTHETICS LTD 0117 2357712; www.cha.clinic

Tell us about the range of treatments you provide to your customers

We offer a wide range of non-surgical cosmetic treatments which include injectables, digital skin analysis, chemical peeling, micro-needling, LED light therapy, radio frequency therapy, cryotherapy and more recently ultrasound fat cavitation. We also have our own brand of professional skin care which offers higher concentrations of active ingredients which cannot be accessed on the high street.

What advice would you give someone considering having a treatment?

Please consider your safety and make sure you check out the qualifications and training of your practitioner; also make sure they are insured. There are a lot of practitioners out there which may not have a medical background or have done a short course. Cheap is cheap for a reason.

What are your goals for the rest of 2023?

To educate around skin care, grow the business further, including CHA Skin and

drive our online shop so that high-grade skincare is accessible at reasonable prices.

What got you into this industry?

I have struggled myself with self confidence and image negativity. I wanted to create a space that allowed natural results and to help people ‘be skinconfident’. We are not about big lips and frozen faces. We offer an honest appraisal, no pressure, bespoke treatment plans and most importantly, natural results.

Tell us about your background?

I have been a registered nurse since 2007 and graduated from the University of the West of England with a BSc first class honours degree. I did my prescribing course through Kings College London. I started working on the wards at Southmead hospital and then moved to London, where I worked large teaching hospitals, including Cheslea and Westminter, Barts and The Royal London. I have also worked clinically in the charity sector and spent three years in the pharmaceutical industry with Glaxo Smith Kline. My aesthetics training was done with Harley Academy in London, on their level 7 Diploma, which is MSc equivalent.

ROSIE CARDALE

BRISTOL PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINIC

0117 9738319

www.bristolphysiotherapyclinic.co.uk

What got you into this industry?

I wanted to help empower women to maintain fitness levels, play sport and without being hindered by their pelvic floor dysfunction! Previously working in sports physiotherapy showed me how much I could change people’s lives. This is even more the case since specialising in pelvic health.

Do you specialise in a particular area?

Yes, I specialist in pelvic health physiotherapy. I treat any problems that can occur with the muscles, joints, and bodily functions between the ribs to the tops of the thighs. This area can go through a series of changes at any stage of life, but I mainly see women who are pregnant, postnatal or going through the menopause. It is an area of health that is growing in interest and such an important part of our health to address (which is not discussed enough).

Tell us about the range of treatments you provide to your customers?

Pregnancy, Mummy and Menopause MOTs are the most common starting points for seeing me at Bristol Physiotherapy Clinic. They all take a holistic look at you and any changes to your pelvic health that you may be experiencing. During an assessment I help you formulate a clear plan to improve symptoms.

Alex Parford

Rosie Cardale

CORNELIUS KRAUSE

CK DENTAL

0117 472 1600; enquiries@ckdental.co.uk

Tell us about the range of treatments you provide to your customers

Our family-run practice offers patients the newest and most innovative dental techniques. We offer implant, cosmetic, restorative and high-quality general dentistry. With a team of highly skilled dentists and state-ofthe-art digital equipment under our roof, we can plan all our treatments with clinical excellence. We always recommend a preventative approach to any dental issues with regular routine dental check-ups and hygienist visits. If a dental emergency occurs – for example, if a tooth gets knocked out – we can fit a custom-made dental implant. Implants are a lasting solution that can also be used alongside bridges and dentures. We also offer the latest Invisalign teeth-straightening as a clear and comfortable alternative to metal braces, as well as effective and convenient teeth-whitening options.

Do you specialise in a particular area?

Our dental services are renowned for treating dentalphobic patients, and we have patients visit us from all over the UK. We can perform all our dental procedures under general anaesthetic or sedation administered by a dedicated anaesthetist. Our dental practice at 1 West Mall has been specially designed with lots of light and space to help nervous patients feel calm. Also, our dentists are all highly experienced in alleviating any fears and anxieties so patients can feel in control during their visits.

DR HANNAH CHAPMAN

KINDRED SKIN AESTHETICS

07794415413; www.kindredskin.co.uk

What kind of treatments do you offer?

I offer the highest quality, doctordelivered aesthetic treatments including wrinkle-relaxing injections, subtle dermal fillers, SkinPen microneedling, skin boosters, Dermalux light therapy and medical-grade skincare. All my treatments are focused on enhancing your natural beauty and my passion is to help you look refreshed, never fake. As an experienced GP, my aim is to produce beautiful results alongside exceptional patient care and safety.

What sets you apart from others in your area?

Bristol is not short of clinics offering aesthetic procedures but there are surprisingly few clinics led by an experienced female doctor. I founded kinDRed skin because I wanted to offer a luxurious space where people could feel they had found a kindred spirit that they could trust. As a mum of two boys, in my early forties I know first-hand how important it is to look after ourselves and

Rachel Davies

how a little help along the way can help us feel refreshed and confident. I undertake extensive research and have trained with industry experts so that I can offer the highest quality and innovative treatments for my patients.

What advice would you give someone considering having a treatment?

Firstly, I would always recommend seeking treatment with someone who has a senior medical qualification, is fully insured and regulated by a professional body such as the GMC. I would also recommend finding an experienced clinician whose style and aesthetic aligns with your own and who invests in premium products. Finally, I would advise having an open mind when it comes to considering aesthetic treatments. Lots of people worry about looking ‘overdone’, but when expertly performed, tweakments can definitely be subtle and elegant. A thorough consultation is always the best place to start so that we can fully understand your goals and discuss treatment options. I offer all my patients complimentary consultations so we can sit together and have a chat about all things skin and aesthetics.

RACHEL DAVIES REGISTERED NUTRITIONIST AND HEALTH COACH

rachel@racheldaviesnutrition.com

www.racheldaviesnutrition.com

What led you to work in health and wellbeing?

After years of working stressful jobs, I struggled with digestive issues, hormone imbalances and anxiety, almost believing this to be the norm. It was only after I improved my own nutrition and lifestyle by nourishing my body and mind properly, that I discovered the tools to cope with a busy lifestyle. I’m now passionate about supporting others to do the same.

What would you say is your philosophy regarding health and wellbeing?

My approach is to understand the body as a whole. I evaluate how all the body’s systems are working, identifying any nutritional deficiencies, and getting to the root cause of symptoms. Everyone has a unique set of life experiences and circumstances, so I develop personalised programmes for each of my clients. It’s not about restrictive diets or expensive protocols but understanding how to bring your body back into balance, empowering and coaching you through the changes.

Talk us through the services you offer I offer one-to-one programmes that combine nutritional therapy and health coaching. I work in-person at The Bath Practice on Monmouth Street, as well as online. I also work in corporate wellbeing offering lunchtime talks, pop-up nutrition clinics, and content writing on nutrition and health coaching.

Cornelius Krause

AMANDA HAWKINS MYFACE AETHETICS

07793 393546; www.myfacebristol.co.uk

Tell us about your background?

I bring a wealth of experience to my practice, with a background of 25 years in the NHS. I am a prescribing nurse and my journey in advanced practice within the healthcare system has equipped me with a deep understanding of patient care and medical expertise. This foundation has been invaluable in my transition to aesthetics, where I combine medical knowledge with a passion for helping individuals achieve their aesthetic goals safely and effectively.

What sets you apart from the others working in your area?

My dedication to ongoing education and training in aesthetics. I consistently attend advanced courses in facial anatomy and and stay current with the latest techniques products and theories. Additionally, my strong emphasis on personalised care and building trust with patients distinguishes my practice. Honesty and open communication ensure that each patient’s unique goals

GENEVIEVE OSBORNE

are met, delivering exceptional natural aesthetic treatments.

What advice would you give someone considering having a treatment?

My advice is to prioritise your safety and quality. Research the practitioner’s qualifications, training and recent experience. Ask about the products used in the clinic, and where they have been sourced; is your practitioner experienced enough to manage a complication safely and effectively? Most importantly, ensure a thorough consultation to discuss your goals and expectations. Make an informed decision based on trust and experience.

What are your plans for the rest of 2023?

I am working towards developing a mentorship and training academy. This initiative aims to pass on my years of experience and knowledge in aesthetics to the next generation of practitioners. I hope to foster a community of skilled and ethical professionals who put patient safety first. Education and mentorship are key to elevating the standards of care in aesthetics, and I’m eager to contribute to this advancement.

CONSULTANT DERMATOLOGIST BRISTOL AT SPIRE HOSPITAL OR NUFFIELD HEALTH HOSPITAL (THE CHESTERFIELD)

0117 233 8168 www.osbornedermatology.co.uk

Tell us about what you offer?

I am a consultant dermatologist based in Bristol, with 20 years of experience in the field. I provide specialist care for adults and children with all skin conditions from acne, eczema and skin cancers to complex skin diseases that can affect other organ systems. After a thorough assessment, I can provide advice and medical or surgical treatments. I also hold general adult and paediatric dermatology clinics, skin cancer clinics as well as specialist clinics for skin conditions arising in systemic diseases.

Tell us a little about your history and qualifications

I trained as a dermatology specialist at the highly regarded national centre of St John’s Institute of Dermatology, based at St Thomas’s Hospital, London and Kings’s College Hospital, London. From 2003

I worked as an NHS consultant dermatologist at St Mary’s Hospital, Imperial College, London where I was lead clinician of the dermatology department and lead of the skin cancer multi-disciplinary team. From 2016, on moving to Bristol, I took up a NHS Dermatology post at the Bristol Royal Infirmary and Children’s Hospital. I now see private patients in Bristol at the Spire and Nuffield (Chesterfield) Hospitals.

JAMES SCRIMSHAW

CURA

CLINICAL

07796 302624

www.curaclinical.com

Tell us about Cura Clinical

At CURA, we use the latest technologies – MBST cell- regeneration therapy and deep-tissue laser therapy – to heal and repair the damaged tissues. We combine these technologies with hands-on chiropractic and physiotherapy to ensure your body heals itself to its maximum potential.

How did you get into this business?

I’ve been working in Bristol for 27 years as a chiropractor in private practice. While I still very much love my chiropractic role, my clinical work was set alight when I was diagnosed with arthritis of my left knee and spine. They were really debilitating and affecting my life and happiness. I felt old at 43. I was open to trying anything to help, and discovered MBST; a therapy based around MRI that stimulates cells that already exist in our bodies to start a repair process on specific tissues/structures. Needless to say, it changed my life as a patient, and going forward is my main clinical focus. I’m five years into working with it and it’s getting amazing results with the majority of my patients in Bristol. It’s being improved all the time, so some very exciting things lie ahead in the world of regenerative technology which I’m delighted to be a part of.

Genevieve Osborne

James Scrimshaw

STRIKING A BALANCE I

t may not have been the long, hot summer of dreams, but five or si weeks is more than enough time for pupils to have fully segued into holiday mode. If your own children are struggling to regain the new-term mojo, or if you want some sound advice for holidays to come, read on.

“Having enjoyed a long summer holiday, one of the biggest challenges for pupils can be getting back into the rhythm and routine of busy days at school,” says Gavin Turner, deputy head academic at Clifton College Upper School.

“The transition from holiday mode back into the structure of the school timetable happens overnight, and therefore anything parents can do to hel their children is beneficial. etting them to re engage with academic work is important, while also helping them to adjust to having to wake up earlier and a sense of routine. Feeling fully rested and having en oyed their break, we find that most of our u ils are e cited and ready to get back to school, and we are looking forward to welcoming them back.

“The holidays are there for a reason, and that is to provide pupils with the opportunity to rest and recuperate after a busy term. At lifton our u ils engage with so many different activities while at school, both academic and through the co-curriculum, so the holiday is essential for finding balance and rela ation away from busy schedules.

“That said, we know that our most successful pupils are those who remain engaged during the holidays, and whether this is simply reading a book, testing themselves on vocabulary, drafting essays or completing practice questions, pupils can add a huge amount of value to their current standing by remaining engaged so that when they return, they can make a strong start and e cellent rogress from the first lesson back.

“The return to school can bring some welcome structure back into

Clifton College

As the schools return after the long, if soggy, summer break, and teachers and pupils alike adjust to a brand-new set of timetables, we chat to some of the leading heads in the region and ask: how, as parents, can we help?

Words by Ursula Cole

“Holidays are there for a reason, and that is to allow pupils to recuperate after a busy term”

family life, but is also the end to lazy breakfasts and gentle mornings,” agrees David Edwards, head of Collegiate Prep School. “As both a parent and a head, I would suggest starting a little more structure the week prior to returning, making sure bedtimes are becoming more realistic, as are morning routines. This still won’t avoid the initial shock of the return to sports training, homework and the other demands of school life, but it will at least ease children in with more time to adjust.

“We would always recommend some reading during holidays, and any additional time that can be spent keeping a holiday diary, or making PowerPoints of trips or activities will peak interest and keep little brains active.”

“Routine is king and queen!” advises Simon Dorman, head at Haberdashers’ Monmouth.

“Schools like Haberdashers’ Monmouth function well for children, because they follow a good routine, with a healthy mixture of academic rigour and extra-curricular activity such as sport, music and the arts, providing pockets of focus during the day.

“Parents can mirror that as the end of holidays approaches, starting with getting them out of bed at a reasonable time – no 11am loungers! Then a mixture of relaxation and focus, with plenty of physical exercise. A balance of doing what you want them to do, and what they want to do, makes for a happy household and a more constructive day.”

“Starting a fun structured mini-project with the kids could be a good way to get them back into the swing of things,” says Luke Fazackerley, college lead at boomsatsuma. “Wake up at school time a few days prior to school to go on a mini-treasure hunt in the local area or park, and talk about what you found. Watch a movie or programme and talk about it, and why it was fun to watch, or what parts of the programme

“Routine is king and queen!”

ABOVE: Haberdashers’ Monmouth; BELOW: Boomsatsuma

EDUCATION

could be better any structured activities would be great.

OK, now we’ve all settled back nicely into the new term, let’s take a look at some of the other issues facing teachers and u ils this autumn.

CREATING A SAFE PLACE

ental health continues to be a riority, says Simon orman. t aberdashers’ onmouth School, we focus heavily on our astoral care, with a robust network of support available to all age groups from our health and wellbeing centre, available to all students and staff, individual tutors, housemasters mistresses and matrons. e know that happy children thrive, so it is our primary focus to ensure that each child feels safe and has someone to talk to.

ental health is something that affects many students, says uke a ackerley. roviding an atmos here where staff are a roachable is a key starting oint for us. lso, having clearly defined goals for students to work towards, supported by taking a solution-focused a roach, creates an im ortant sense of direction and ur ose.

he most im ortant thing is the investment in young eo le to give them the feeling they have a place in the world and the city, through s orts, obs, hobbies or education, along with a clear rogression route. hese can make a huge ositive im act on students’ feelings; they may often have other worries going on.

ONLINE STUDYING – HERE TO STAY?

t aberdashers’ onmouth School, we have enhanced our use of

digital technology significantly, as with most schools, since the start of the ovid andemic, says Simon orman.

e use icrosoft eams as our main latform for resource sharing, project work, submission of some, but not all, written work, and communications with students.

nline teaching can’t recreate all the benefits of face to face lessons, but it’s a powerful tool in our armoury and enables students who are off school to kee u with the material taught. he increased focus on digital learning enables students to develop skills such as independent learning, critical thinking, research skills and time management. Video conferencing also enables the parents of boarders to join parents’ evenings and other school events, which is a great bonus.

“Online study is something that saved the day in the past few years, but feel that we are seeing some negatives to it not all , says uke a ackerley. Some eo le like studying solo, some like collaboration so a mi of the two makes sense eo le have different levels of motivation – for me, interaction is key but depends on what you are studying.

AI – FRIEND, OR BOGEYMAN?

Both says uke a ackerley. t’s a great asset in researching information; the dissemination of that information is the key. o you understand it, and its a lication his is where vocational study is important as assessment via competency, creativeness and observation, as these cannot be mimicked in a way in which an essay can.

GET ON THEIR LAND

JUST OUTSIDE BRISTOL in the beautiful Chew Valley lies a farm doing things differently. he ommunity arm is a community-owned social enterprise, growing organic fruit and vegetables in a naturefriendly way on eight acres of land. But what makes the farm particularly special is that it doesn’t just grow food, it grow community too, by welcoming over 1,500 people per year onto the land.

“As founder of Earthwise, I’ve been lucky enough to be a part of this,” says Dr Claire Rosling of orest School. e’ve been delivering educational visits in partnership with the farm since 2011, and now also run a o ular arent and child orest School.

he arthwise mission is to reconnect

young people with food, farming and the natural world. hat word reconnect’ is key here. very one of us is already intrinsically connected with nature; we are art of nature’s incredible web of life, and as such our actions, positive or negative, can have profound impacts across the natural world –climate change being a very big e am le of that.

“Our ancestors, along with indigenous people today, had an acute understanding of the natural world and her rocesses; however the shift to modern society, with many children now spending more time on technology than they do outdoors, has made this all too easy to forget.

“At the farm we allow young people and their families experiences on the land to

rebuild that connection with nature and inspire them towards caring and taking action for our planet in the way that is so des erately needed.

“Our educational visits allow young people to explore and learn about the wealth of biodiversity on the farm, and understand how we can grow food in a way that works with nature, harvesting crops along the way to re are seasonal snacks.

“In addition to our groups of school children and families, he ommunity arm also welcomes Bristol based refugees and asylum seekers, eo le suffering with isolation and mental ill health, and adults and children from visible ethnic minorities. he best way to su ort he arm is to sho with them. hey deliver local, organic food with a lot of the roduce from their own fields grown by visiting grou s and volunteers.

www.thecommunityfarm.co.uk; www.getearthwise.co.uk

“No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced”

SIR DAVID ATTENBOROUGH

NETWORK ON THE WATERFRONT

WAPPING WHARF NORTH: THE FINAL FRONTIER

THE FINAL CHAPTER

ur ambition with the final hases of a ing harf is to build on what we’ve achieved to date, but make it even better.

here’s been lots of talk recently about lacemaking as if it’s a new thing, but think good regeneration has always been about creating attractive laces where eo le want to be, and that’s what’s driven our vision for a ing harf.

tri to ew ork ins ired me to create R from shi ing containers, roviding a tem orary use for the em ty s ace at the bottom of aol erry Ste s. hey’ve been a big hit with the ublic, and given small inde endent retailers a chance to try out new conce ts at a rice they

Ocan afford. But many businesses have outgrown their containers, which only have tem orary lanning ermission and can be di cult to o erate in, so we need to build a ermanent home where they can ourish.

hen develo ing our ro osals, in addition to R , we wanted to create new high uality homes to hel meet the city’s housing shortage, e ible works aces which can be ada ted as the needs of our community changes, and lenty of landsca ed ublic s aces where eo le can rela . e also decided that sustainability and im roving biodiversity in this city centre site would be key to creating a lace where eo le en oy s ending time.

hile height can be a contentious issue in Bristol, our whole a roach has been to create buildings of an a ro riate scale for this site, which are well designed and offer a fantastic

STUART HATTON, managing director of Wapping Wharf’s developer and investor Umberslade, explains the thinking behind proposals for the final stage for the popular Harbourside neighbourhood

CLOCKWISEFROMOPPOSITEPAGE: The entrance to CARGO Hall; fairylit Rope Walk at night; the new restaurant terraces, starring all your favourite names; the double-height food and produce hall

experience for the people who use and live in them. Wapping Wharf North will provide a new attraction for the city by providing fabulous places to live, work, eat, drink and relax, as well as amazing views over the harbour.

When we took our proposals out to public consultation last summer, we had plenty of feedback and spent months reviewing all the comments and considering what changes we could make. We removed the doubleheight rooftop restaurant, which on re ection, didn’t really fit the ethos of CARGO, as well as the higher restaurants that cascade down one side of the building. This lowers the building and gives it a slimmer, more elegant a earance. e’ve also taken one storey off the third wing behind M Shed, which helps to retain the stepped design.

Some people were concerned that higher rents in the new development might push current CARGO retailers out, but the last thing we want to do is lose the community of independent traders we’ve worked so hard to build u . hey’ve been involved from the start, and we’ve s oken to them one by one to understand their needs. ’m delighted to say that not only do we have their backing for our proposals but most have already earmarked their space in the new building.

Others felt the designs had lost the quirky personality of the shipping containers, so we took another look, and ’m the first to admit that we didn’t get everything right first time. We consulted our CARGO traders, who had lots of great suggestions which we’ve now incor orated, including walkways so people can browse along the full length of the retailers, as they do today at CARGO 2, and a new external staircase to invite people to explore the building.

STUART HATTON, managing director Umberslade

“THERE’S BEEN LOTS OF TALK RECENTLY ABOUT PLACEMAKING, AS IF IT’S A NEW THING”

WHAT THE TRADERS THINK

“There have been a lot of opportunities for our views to be incorporated into the new plans. Umberslade and the design team have taken the essence of who we are and put it into a new building. If you look at how the plans have changed, they’ve now got a lot of the CARGO personality in them”

Tessa Lidstone, Box-E restaurant

“The look and feel of the shipping containers will be instilled into the new building and allow us to grow, invest in our businesses and our staff. I know how committed Stuart and Esme are to getting this right for us”

Josh Eggleton, Root and Salt & Malt

“Genuinely, working with Umberslade has been brilliant. Wapping Wharf is great at the moment, but the new development will take it up several levels and give us the chance to create landmark Bristol restaurants”

Imogen Waite, Cargo Cantina and Gambas

“The shipping containers were a fantastic way of starting a new business, but as time has gone on, we’ve outgrown the space. We’re really looking forward to being able to develop our Tare and Picole businesses in the new building”

Matt Hampshire, Tare Restaurant

“It’s going to be fantastic for Bristol. The design, both aesthetically and in terms of what it offers, will make it a bit of a national talking point and a place that people will really want to come and visit”

Oli Smith, The Bristol Cheesemonger

“The new proposals are exciting. I really like the tall building with the market hall underneath – it’s so nice that everyone will be in the same place. Nothing will be done to detract from the essence of CARGO”

Rozzy Turner, Clifton Seafood

TOP: The restaurant block would be topped with a shipping container – a new home for Box-E, perhaps?

MIDDLE: Ground-floor market units in CARGO Hall

We’ve also introduced the trademark blue and green colours of CARGO and used shipping container cladding throughout.

To rethink the interior of the new Continental-style food and produce market CARGO Hall, we brought in Bristol interior design company, Simple Simon, who have created a new layout where people can meander through individual stalls made of deconstructed shipping containers which retailers can fit out as they like.

Some have questioned our commitment to planting and maintaining the high levels of landscaping and greenery in our proposals. But you only have to look at Wapping Wharf now to see how much we care about our greenery, and our landscape consultants have carefully considered which species are likely to thrive in this location as the climate changes.

We’ve been very careful to position our new buildings to preserve views of important heritage sites such as St ary Redcliffe and St aul’s Church in Southville. Our residential buildings, which are set back 40 metres from the harbour front, will create a backdrop to the cranes and M Shed, which will still take centre stage on the docks.

But as well as being known for its industrial history, the harbourside is now principally a place where people live and spend leisure time, and it’s evolving to meet the needs of a modern city. Our proposals will create high uality new homes, a fifth of which will be classed as affordable,

with a mi ture of different si es and tenures, from open market to social rent. Most will have balconies, and all will have access to shared landscaped terraces. Our policy is to make our homes ‘tenure-blind’, which means that people from all walks of life can live side by side in a balanced community.

Creating generous public spaces in this city centre site has been a priority. By placing the residential buildings on top of the two-storey retail and business podium, we’ve been able to dedicate nearly a third of the plot to public open streets and spaces, providing more places for people to sit and relax.

A favourite experience at CARGO is catching the setting sun over the harbour from the terraces. By stacking the restaurants on top of each other, and moving them to the back of Museum Square, far more people will be able enjoy this unique opportunity. We’re also building an open-air rooftop shipping container restaurant and public viewing platform on the sixth level, so if you want to eat in a shipping container, you still can!

firmly believe that our revised proposals will enhance the city’s reputation as a leisure destination and create something very special for our community at Wapping Wharf and the people of Bristol.

For more: www. wappingwharf.co.uk

How Wapping Wharf North would look from across the harbour

BRIDGE OF SIGHS* (*OF RELIEF)

elighted hey even threw a arty. he traders of a ing harf celebrated the reo ening of aol erry Bridge on Se tember with a street shindig featuring music from he mbling Band and food and drink from the restaurants, bars and caf s, along with s ecial offers and deals over the weekend.

he bridge has been closed for essential re airs since last ugust. e’ve always known that [its] closure was absolutely necessary, but nobody anticipated that it would be closed for so long, said Stuart atton, of a ing harf develo ers mberslade. he im act has been felt by so many across the city, none more so than the retailers at a ing harf.

he closure definitely affected footfall, which alongside the cost of living crisis and rising energy bills has put our retailers under immense pressure, but they’ve been so resilient and ositive about the whole situation throughout. t felt only fitting to throw a celebration to welcome everyone back to our ama ing inde endent community and to say thank you to the eo le of Bristol for all of their continued su ort.

www.wappingwharf.co.uk

PEOPLE, PLANET AND PROFIT

South West chartered accountancy practice Albert Goodman, which recently opened its new Bristol city centre o ce, has secured B or status for its commitment to environmental and social goals, and the firm’s commitment to its tri le bottom line’ of eo le, lanet and rofit.

“We are immensely proud to become one of the first accountancy firms in the South est to secure B or status, said Iain McVicar, managing partner at lbert oodman.

t confirms we are doing the right thing across governance, people, community, environment and clients. t will also help us to grow as a company and have a positive impact on the environment as we work towards net ero.

www.albertgoodman.co.uk

MAYBE THEY’RE AMAZED

ne year after o ening, Bristol’s innovative ama ement ark’ ake he iger, is set to e and its si e, thanks to a k investment from a s ecialist creative growth fund.

reative has included ake he iger in its reative rowth inance ortfolio, enabling the ark to double in si e, adding s m of immersive multi sensory s ace. he investment was secured by reative ’s Bristol based investment team, operating in partnership with riodos Bank, a sustainable bank based in Bristol.

Over 190,000 visitors have already been duly ama ed at the uni ue s aces of the attraction, housed in a former aint factory in St hili ’s. ith the additional funding, ake he iger aims to enhance its im act as a uni ue cultural and entertainment destination still further.

www.wakethetiger.com

A STANDOUT SUCCESS

sborne larke, the international law firm with its in in els Reach, has secured a million funding ackage to hel it e and internationally. he firm intends to e and further into the nited States, where it will su ort the e ansion of its teams that assist S sector clients in establishing, growing and managing their overseas o erations.

he firm has also develo ed its loud first strategy in collaboration with market leading software and systems, allowing for greater collaboration, connectivity, and im roved service for clients worldwide.

“While we are an international firm, we’re incredibly roud of our Bristol roots, said sborne larke’s international , mar l uaimi. Since setting our e ansion strategy in , we’ve grown from si to international o ces. e have our sights set on further growth and are on track to reach m turnover by .

ur longstanding relationshi with SB and this recent funding has supported this mission, aiding growth and improved collaboration between our international teams and the services we offer our global clients.

sborne larke is a standout success story for Bristol, said avid Skyrme of SB . hrough our year relationshi with the firm, we’ve seen it go from strength to strength, cham ioning its social and environmental governance values through its services, while also achieving huge growth across the globe.

www.osborneclarke.com

THE JUDGES WILL DECIDE

Every year there’s a fresh panel of impeccably impartial and independent judges for the EntreConf Awards. It’s a diverse and knowledgeable group from a wide variety of sectors and sizes of business. They, and they alone, decide who the winners will be...

ARE YOU READY?...

By Greg Ingham

When:

The EntreConf Awards 2023 take place on Thursday 28 September

Where: The Bristol Museum & Art Gallery

Award sponsors and partners: Ambitious PR, Cazenove Capital (Headline), Link Stone Advisory, Storm Consultancy, Sustainit and University of Bath School of Management. Partners include Clockwise, Epic Solutions, Fourth Floor, Shakespeare Martineau and Thrings.

Partnerships still available, please contact Annie Kelly (annie.kelly@ mediaclash.co.uk) for more details.

Tickets: Available on our website now, and selling out fast due to huge demand.

The nominations closed in June, and we were blown away by them – not just by the sheer number of entries (there were well over 100), but by their strength, quality and depth. We’re constantly astonished by the genius, innovation, creativity and determination in the South West.

he finalists have now been announced on the website, and all 17 categories – from e-commerce to fintech, health and wellbeing to hospitality, scaleup to technology – are bursting with fast-growing, ambitious organisations.

The shortlist represents a snapshot of the best that Bristol and the surrounding area has to offer, and at the ceremony itself we’ll experience that feeling in real life. With everyone dressed in their finery, gathered at the Bristol Museum & Art Gallery, the positive, anticipatory vibe and strong feeling of community underneath it all will be palpable.

So who will win? Our independent panel of prestigious judges (see them on the left), chosen from various sectors of business life for a balanced array of minds and voices, will

decide. It’s a painstaking process, each entry pored over, discussed and debated. It’s never an easy decision, but that’s part of the competitive nature of entrepreneurship.

Winners will be announced live at the ceremony at the museum. Everyone comes along hoping to win, of course, but in the end whether they go home with a trophy or not, they leave with a sense of pride, and something gained. This might be the potential for a new business partnership or simply a reminder of the vital role we all play in the evolution of the region.

For more: www.entreconf.com

NOT ONLY, BUT ALSO…

The Bristol Property Awards 2023 takes place on 24 November at Ashton Court. Nominations close on 4 October, with the grand reveal of finalists on 11 October; www.bristolpropertyawards. co.uk

The Bristol Life Awards 2024 takes place on 27 March 2024; more info soon at www.bristollifeawards.co.uk

The EntreConf Awards are just around the corner. The inaugural event, which has seen its sister conference running since 2021, is the most anticipated, most tightly contested entrepreneurial ceremony in the region, with an incredible variety of innovative companies involved. The future is most definitely unwritten…

ANDREW HODGSON, senior partner at KPMG

DAN FALLON, founder of SearchStar

LAUREN COUCH, chief revenue officer of Growth Lending

TATJANA HUMPHRIES, senior inward investment executive at Invest Bristol & Bath

ASHLEY BREWER, CEO of Science Creates Incubators

GLYN BLAIZE, COO of Amdaris

PALIE SMART, Associate provice-chancellor for Global Civic Engagement at the University of Bristol

NOMINATIONS CLOSE OCT 4

Region’s biggest property awards: sponsorships and tables available

• Connect with all leading Bristol property businesses, across all sectors

• Benefit from multiple channel marketing campaign

• Stand out amongst peers at sector-leading event

For details: bristollifecommercial@mediaclash.co.uk

Category sponsors:

Winner of Winners sponsor:

YARD S

Harbourside living: it’s not all about Wapping Wharf, you know . .

Words by Ursula Cole

True: you can’t beat Wapping Wharf if you’re after a cool, creative, aesthetically pleasing new-build, with some of the city’s best restaurants and cafés so close you can literally wake up and smell the coffee. But some people like a little heritage mixed into their contemporary developments – and these people may well love McArthur’s Yard.

The Yard, once known as McArthur’s Warehouse, was the former headquarters of the McArthur’s Group, a Bristol based metal merchant founded in the s. Originally built as a malt house, like much of the old docklands it gradually fell into disrepair, forlorn and forgotten for over years.

The site was resurrected by Guinness Homes, with sustainability at the forefront of its philosophy; bricks from the existing site have been reused, with two-thirds of the wall being retained while being structurally reinforced for longevity. Bath Stone slabs from the

original site have also been recycled, as have the grey stone setts, both of which are found along the side entrance of Block A, facing Gas Ferry Road – a reminder of the legacy of this historic development.

Welsh blue pennant kerb at the front of the site, complemented by the blue-grey drag-faced clay setts running from Block A down and around the dock, adds a wonderful juxtaposition of old cobbled streets and newbuild modern architecture. Residential parking is safely enclosed by the blocks in a large inner courtyard; surely someone who still remembers the ’60s will dub this space McArthur Park?

Any new development worth its salt has to be mindful of its ecological footprint, and one pleasing touch is the bird and bat boxes that have been included in the landscaping, with ‘swift-friendly’ bricks being added alongside the famous Graving Dock, which runs alongside Block B and the sho s and caf s; ground oor commercial units being another popular feature of modern developments.

This corner of the harbour has huge cultural significance, and boat fanciers will en oy views of ss Great

Britain and its dockyard in front of the building, meaning you’ll have one of the wonders of the industrial world as your nearest neighbour. The days when sailors and merchants would cram the wharfs as they traded goods and set sail for voyages of discovery may be past, but today the area is now a blossoming creative hub, home to the likes of Aardman Animations and Spike Island.

Guinness Homes has now launched its show home and marketing suite for prospective buyers. You can choose from one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, two-bedroom duplexes and three-bedroom duplexes, all of which are available for reservation now, and set to be ready to move into next for summer.

HOUSE NUMBERS

Prices start at £310k for a onebedroom apartment, rising to £725k for a three-bedroom apartment

Finally, if it’s your starter home, feel pleased in the knowledge that McArthur’s Yard has recently been shortlisted for a first time buyer award, as the Best New Development in the South.

For more www.mcarthursyard.co.uk or call 0117 910 0360

“Swiftfriendly bricks have been added to the build”

Raising the bar in block and estate management services across Bristol.

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

Warminster, BA12 FOR SALE - £850,000 Exl

An income-producing commercial investment opportunity with future development potential, subject to necessary consents. Situated in a stunning, rural setting with river frontage and large parking.

Unity Street, Bristol TO LET / MAY SELL

2,750 sq ft (255.52 sq m)

A most attractive period office building refurbished to a good standard with attractive rear courtyard garden. Located just off Park Street.

Harbour Crescent, Portishead TO LET – POA

1,395 - 4,964 sq ft (130 - 461 sq m)

Two new-build commercial units forming part of the Harbour Crescent development to be fitted to a high standard. Use Class E –would suit a range of uses.

Bedminster, BS3 FOR SALE – POA

10,713 sq ft (995.26 sq m)

An impressive, detached building prominently located, providing open plan office space with excellent on-site car parking. The property could be suitable for a range of uses STP.

Lower Park Row, Bristol TO LET - POA

406 sq ft – 2,429 (38 - 225 sq m)

A charming office to rent with large car park to rear. Suites from approx. 406 sq ft – 2,429 (38 - 225 sq m) Consideration would also be given to a sale of the building. POA

Queen Square, BS1

TO LET - POA

313 – 2,106 sq ft (29 – 196 sq m)

An attractive, self-contained office building benefiting a corner position on the Square and which is due to be fully refurbished to a high standard. Potential for two car parking spaces!

Paintworks

OFFICES TO LET POA

2 brand new commercial units fully refurbished. C 1,162 and 1,572 sq ft with 2 car parking spaces per unit. Never been occupied!

Hill Street OFFICE TO LET - POA

5,621 sq ft (522.20 sq m)

Fantastic example of 1970’s brutalist architecture. The suite provides a modern open plan floor plate of 5,621 sq ft (522 sq m) with 6 car parking spaces & bike storage.

Grosvenor House TO LET - £19 PSF

3,400 sq ft

A purpose built modern office building. The space is located on the 2nd floor providing an open plan suite. There are 2 car parking spaces, passenger lift, bike storage and shower.

St Michaels Hill

TO LET - £14,950 pax 843 sq ft (78.30 sq m)

A ground and lower ground floor commercial property to let, prominently situated on St Michaels Hill in the busy and vibrant area of Cotham. Approx. 843 sq. ft, with a Class E use.

Julian Cook FRICS

Jayne Rixon MRICS

Finola Ingham MRICS

Tom Coyte MRICS

Holly Boulton BSc(Hons)

Vicki Grimshaw BSc (Hons)

Charlie Kershaw MRICS

AMELIA TWINE

Sustainable Fashion Week is back this month – and founder Amelia wants us all to join the rewear revolution

Admittedly, Amelia doesn’t look much like a revolutionary. She doesn’t wear a Che Guevara beret, or carry a gun. Judging by the photo above she’s more likely to be found in vintage orals; but you can bet that whatever she’s wearing is either preloved or sustainably sourced.

In 2018, Amelia launched sustainable womenswear retail platform Give Wear Love. It closed during the pandemic, but her passion for making sustainability in fashion more relevant, accessible and inclusive led her to concentrate on her other project: Sustainable Fashion Week.

The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crisis. I saw an opportunity to create an event that brings together the many brands, activists, skills, technicians and other pioneers within the sustainable

movement to get their collective message in front of as many people as possible, providing the community with the right tools and skills to change up their habits and make more lowimpact choices.

The sustainable fashion movement continues to grow in strength as we each make steps to change our habits, and here in Bristol there’s a very engaged audience. People aren’t just interested in the clothes, but also their stories, where they came from, the people who style them and how to fi them, which is why we’ve programmed a ton of workshops, panels and styling sessions across the event.

Bristol is the flagship, but this year we’re expanding the hubs with two days of immersive activities in Brighton, London, anchester, rome, ardiff, Plymouth and Bradford. We’ve even taken Sustainable Fashion

Week across the globe. One of the best things about this event is that it’s community-led, and this will always remain at the heart of the programme each year.

The theme for this year is The Rewear Revolution, which encourages people to get the most out of their clothes. We are inviting all those with a passion for fashion – and the planet – to get involved in over 80 unique activities, each one tailor-made to support the revolution.

It’s clear there’s been a shift in shopping trends, with more of us opting for preloved and vintage platforms, as Vinted and Depop continue to grow. There’s more thought and consideration going into what we’re buying; finding key ieces that will be loved and looked after for years to come, instead of buying something that will end u in landfill after one wear. It also gives more room for creativity and individuality. You’re not buying the same thing as everyone else, and you have unlimited inspiration with preloved items.

If Vinted or Depop aren’t working for you, take a look in your local charity shops. Bristol has no shortage of thrift stores, which can see pieces start from just £5.

The message isn’t just about buying preloved, but also about consumption and the amount of clothing we purchase. We want to encourage people to invest in pieces which make them happy and last the test of time, not to just follow trends.

Always try to mend, swap and rent first. e t, try to find second-hand treasures. If you want to buy new, always invest in sustainably produced clothing made from natural fibres which are produced regeneratively, such

as organic wool or cotton, and make sure you know a bit about the company’s supply chain and who makes the clothing. It costs more, but it’s worth investing in our collective future.

Bristol is full of inspiring makers. My friend Maria Loria runs Couture to Your Door, which transforms redundant curtains and bedspreads into incredible evening wear. SFW will be launching an a liate programme for makers in the coming weeks, and we’ll have a directory on our website so we can share all of our favourites at once.

The era of fashion I love the most is the Hollywood glamour of the 1930s. Clothing I would never wear, but so beautiful.

My dream vintage fashion find would be a perfectly comfy, stretchy waist belt for all my dresses that need a bit more shape.

My favourite Bristol shop is Better ood. love the confidence in buying products when you know someone else has done the research into their provenance and production stories.

I live in Southville – I’ve been here for a decade now, and love the proximity to the centre, to Ashton Court for trees and birdsong, and to great places to buy good food and eat out.

My favourite Bristol restaurants are Gambas and Cor, and Kask for a perfect glass of wine with nibbles.

My secret skill is that I can imitate a tawny owl call.

My most regrettable habit is overworking and not getting enough time in nature.

Sustainable Fashion Week runs 25 September-8 October

www.sustainablefashionweek.uk

“The fashion industry is one of the biggest contributors to the climate crisis”