Resilience in St Paul’s during coronavirus outbreak

Two men elbow bump when they meet on Grosvenor Road.

“It’s crazy times man,” says one to the other.

Just across the road, all is quiet on Thursday afternoon outside St Paul’s Learning Centre, which has joined many organisations across the city in closing its doors to the public.

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Glen’s Kitchen continues to operate a takeaway service and chef Glen plans to be open as usual and serving takeaways to the community.

“I hope they will keep coming,” he says. “We just want people to know we’re still here.”

Glen’s Kitchen in St Paul’s. Taken from Glen’s Kitchen Facebook page with permission

St Paul’s Learning Centre is closed to the public for now. Photo by Ellie Pipe

Little Jamaica Juice Bar on the corner of Ashley Road is open for business as usual. A mask around the neck of owner Veronica Smith the only sign that things are different.

She says it has been slow despite the fact her business is predominantly takeaway, although delivery orders have picked up. “I think we can stay open [during the coronavirus outbreak] but it just depends what laws come in,” Veronica tells Bristol24/7.

Either way, she is not letting the situation phase her. “I’ll adapt, either way, that’s the kind of person I am,” she says with a smile.

Little Jamaica Juice Bar is still open for business. Photo by Ellie Pipe

Across the road, Zandile Dube, who owns The Lab nail and lash salon on Ashley Road, says she is still getting plenty of bookings but is having to adapt to the current situation. Where normally she would have a nail technician in the salon and be open to passing trade, she is now just doing bookings one at a time.

But the neighbouring Coral Café is suffering since people have been advised to stay at home and avoid social spaces.

Fernando Coral says he was struggling because of the coronavirus outbreak. Photo by Ellie Pipe

“Its really affecting us,” owner Fernando Coral tells Bristol24/7. “This is our only income and we don’t know what to do.”

Like many hospitality and entertainment businesses, this family-run café was left to make its own decision over whether or not to close while customer numbers dwindle. Boris Johnson finally gave the order for all cafes, restaurants and pubs to close on Friday.

Fernando has adapted the business model to make more items available for takeaway and ensure customers are protected but is still struggling.

“It’s affecting everyone in some way,” says Debbie, the owner of Frontline Video store, also on Ashley Road, coming in to order a takeaway drink from the café.

She has been in the area since the 70s and says she is good at adapting – pointing out she went from running a video store to one that sells clothes and DVDs when videos became redundant.

“Being self-employed, there’s no sick pay and we can’t work from home, we’re part of the community,” adds Debbie.

Comrie’s Caribbean Cuisine is facing lower customer numbers and paying more for supplies. Photo by Ellie Pipe

The owner of Comrie’s Caribbean on Grosvenor Road, who goes by the name of DJ Docta Flex, says not only are customer numbers down but supplies are getting more expensive amid the coronavirus panic.

“Everyone’s scared,” he says. “It’s not been great, it costs more to run the business but we have less customers. We’d normally have people coming in and sitting down but there are none now – only takeaways.”

It’s not only businesses feeling the strain as places that are usually the hub of the community have been forced to close their doors in response to the outbreak. The Malcolm X Centre on City Road is standing quiet. A notice on the door says it will remain closed until at least April 30.

Malcolm X Centre is closed until at least April 30 2020. Photo by Ellie Pipe

The Salvation Army says it is still there to support people despite closing its doors. Photo by Ellie Pipe

It’s a similar story for Docklands Youth and Community Centre on Brigstocke Road, which has a piece of paper pinned to the noticeboard outside announcing youth sessions are closed until further notice. The Salvation Army building on Ashley Road may have closed its doors, but it is still able to give support to those in need.

“The Salvation Army are reimagining what church and practical support looks like in these time of isolation and social distancing,” says a notice on the door.

“We may not be operating as usual, but we are available and able to serve.”

Roundway Garage is still open for business. Photo by Ellie Pipe

Over on Dean Street, Richard Sawyer, who works in Roundway Garage, says it has been business as usual for them, although they are being mindful of keeping their distance and protecting customers.

“The building site has gone very quiet,” he tells Bristol24/7, gesturing at the construction site opposite. “It’s only the two of us here and until they tell us to stop, we’re carrying on.”

Round the corner, on Portland Square, a chalk notice board in the window of Milk Teeth details the decision to close before the order came from the prime minister.

At St Paul’s Adventure playground and St Agnes Park, all is quiet at a time when the place is normally abuzz with noise and children playing. A man walking through the park banters cheerfully (from a distance) with a boy playing outside.

It’s a sign of things to come as more closures come into play across the city as Bristol’s communities rally in the face of an unprecedented situation.

Read more: ‘We all need to link arms to get Bristol through this’