What does the future hold for Broadmead?

The closure of Debenhams and the announcement that M&S will be shutting its Broadmead store in the new year are signs the retail crisis is hitting Bristol city centre.

Bristol24/7 spoke to shoppers and traders in the area to find out how it’s changed over the years and what the future holds.

For many long-time locals, Broadmead was a well-known shopping centre, attracting not only Bristolians but people from surrounding areas as well.

Laurence Tempest, a shopper who grew up in Burnham-on-Sea, told Bristol24/7: “As a teenager, we used to go The Galleries and that was a real destination. Broadmead used to be a hub but people shop in their local areas a bit more now.“

Tom Smith, had similar memories. “When I was 14 or 15, I’d always get the bus over. You’d probably go to Broadmead a lot more then than you would now,” said Tom, adding that he’s more likely just to go to Cabot Circus.

Both shoppers were quick to highlight that Broadmead looks very different.

“It’s pretty grotty around here nowadays isn’t it?” Said Laurence, adding that the decline of the city centre destination could be good news for local independents.

M&S is set to leave Broadmead in January 2022 – photo by Sarah Dalton

The manager of Broadmead BID, Vivienne Kennedy said Bristol’s shopping quarter – like all city centres – is constantly evolving.

“While we are sad about the loss of stores like Debenhams and, soon, Marks and Spencer, where several generations have shopped, we also see opportunity and look forward to what may come next.

“There’s still plenty here to offer visitors, including more than 100 independent retailers as well as the national chains.”

………………………………………

Read more: Broadmead shops earmarked for ‘significant redevelopment’ 

………………………………………

Some traders working in the area remain concerned about the future of Broadmead.

Luke Beynon, a shop assistant at the British Heart Foundation, told Bristol24/7: “The future of the shops is worrying actually. I think lots of people still feel unsafe about Covid-19.

Luke added: “A lot of shops, including us, are focussing more on online now.”

The Galleries shopping centre is set to be redeveloped – photo by Ellie Pipe

Pauline Paget, who works at Bonmarché in The Galleries, also highlighted the impact of the shift to online retail on the shopping district, saying: “You had more of a variety of shops before, now we’re about one of the last ones left for the older ladies.”

This shift is evidenced in the rows of empty storefronts and closed shutters within the shopping centre. But redevelopment plans are hailed as an exciting opportunity to breathe new life into the city centre building.

There are plenty of independent businesses in The Arcade – photo by Sarah Dalton

Some traders remain optimistic about the future of Broadmead as a retail district and hope to stay for many years to come.

Ruby Edwards, who has recently relocated to Bristol and is working at Sobeys Vintage Clothing, told Bristol24/7: “Speaking to other Bristolians, they’ve given the rep that Broadmead can be a bit rough but I like it, I think it’s full of character.

“There’s always a soft spot for independents and I think The Arcade will be fine.”

A number of high street names have left Broadmead – photo by Sarah Dalton

Main photo by Sarah Dalton

Read more: ‘M&S closure should be a wake-up call that city centres need our support’

Listen to the latest Bristol24/7 Behind the Headlines podcast: