News / St Mark's Road
Academy of Urbanism judges assess St Mark’s Road
On Tuesday, July 16 judges from a prestigious national competition visited Easton to make a final examination of St Mark’s Road ahead of the next Urbanism Awards in 2020. The road was announced as a finalist in The Great Street category.
The annual awards, which are organised by the Academy of Urbanism, aim to “celebrate and learn from great place making.” St Mark’s Road is one of three finalists in the category.
In a bid to secure the title, Abdul Malik, chair of Easton Jamia Mosque, gave the judges a tour of the street. The tour began at Thali cafe, with owner Pepe Antonio Blanco Rodriguez meeting lead assessor, Alistair Barr.
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“We only look at three streets every year, so you’re already on a winner’s podium,” said Barr.
Tasmin Harcourt, communications officer as Up Our Street, speaks to the judges
Finalists are examined in seven primary areas: leadership and governance, local character, amenities, commercial success and viability, environmental sustainability, community health and wellbeing and connectivity.
This year, the judging panel is comprised of Richard Guise, who lives in Kingsdown, and town planner Nick Pollock.
At the Thali cafe, Pepe discussed the restaurant’s rich history, commitment to sustainability and collaborations with local traders.
The judges then visited St Mark’s Baptist Church with reverend Richard Skinner. The judges then headed to Hunters Estate Agents, Bristol Sweet Mart and Jamia Mosque to hear from local traders and residents.
“I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else,” local resident Vanessa Kear told the judges.
During their whistle-stop tour of St Mark’s Road, the judges also heard from Easton councillor Afzal Shah, Mike Baker, an Easton-born historian, and Tasmin Harcourt, communications officer at Up Our Street.
Reverend Richard Skinner discussed how the church and the mosque, which sit opposite each other on St Mark’s Road, have worked together
Reflecting on the visit, Abdul said: “We had a great afternoon. In the usual St Mark’s Road style, we put on a host of presentations that reflected the past, present and future of our street.
“It was an honour to be part of this, to organise the visit and associated schedule. St Mark’s Road is a hub of multi-culturalism and an inspiration for what trading high streets in urban environments could offer up and down the country.
“We do not just cater for one community. We cater for the whole community and that is why, I feel, we have a great chance of winning this amazing accolade.
The winners will be announced at the Urbanism Awards in London on November 27 2019.
Read more: ‘St Mark’s Road is Bristol’s cultural crown jewel’
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