What we know as the Centre has undergone many developments in the past century, and has continued to grow and expand. It’s currently undergoing its latest transformation to prepare for the arrival in Bristol of Metrobus.
The changes will see a new stretch of Colston Avenue, from St Stephen’s Avenue to Electricity House, closed to cars. Baldwin Street will also be extended to cut across the centre next to the fountains. The new stretch will be two-way and open to all traffic. Read more about the changes here.
Here are some incredible photographs of the Centre from the late-nineteenth century to the early 1970s from the archives kept by Bristol Records Office:
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(the above photo of the Centre gardens in full bloom looking towards Colston Avenue was taken in 1964)
1890s: Trams crossing drawbridge in the direction of Baldwin Street
1900s: Horse-drawn carriages and electric trams in front of The Drawbridge Hotel
1900s: St Augustine’s Bridge
1920s: View across the Centre with Sun Insurance Building opposite
1930s: Feeding the swans near St Augustine’s Bridge
1950s: Looking down from Colston Avenue towards Electricity House
1950s: Looking towards St Stephen’s Church from St Augustine’s Parade
1950s: Looking up Broad Quay towards Colston Avenue
1950s: View from CWS building across the Centre towards the Colston Hall
1953: Coronation display
1960s: Looking across the Centre to the corner of Corn Street and Baldwin Street
1960s: Looking across the gardens from a building opposite Baldwin Street
1960s: Looking from St Augustine’s Parade towards St Stephen’s Church
1960s: Corner of Corn Street and Baldwin Street
1960s: St Augustine’s Parade
1960s: Looking north across the Centre from the end of Anchor Road
1960s: Traffic and pedestrians on St Augustine’s Parade
1968: Bridgehead from the top of the Bristol & West Building
1968: View from the top of the Bristol and West Building
1973: Centre Gardens
1973: Display for Bristol 600 alongside Broad Quay
1973: Colston Avenue and Broad Quay
