Bridge closure ‘threatens businesses’ very existence’, say traders

A community of traders say the imminent closure of a bridge “threatens businesses’ very existence”, as the footfall they rely on for trade will be axed to zero.

Gaol Ferry Bridge is a gateway between Southville and the harbour and route for thousands of pedestrians and cyclists.

But the bridge, which is nearly a century old, needs extensive repairs including to its structural steelwork and replacing rotten timbers. Bristol City Council announced in January that the popular walkway will close for months to complete the works.

The two nearest bridges across the New Cut are Bedminster Bridge and Vauxhall Bridge – with detours connecting Coronation Road and Cumberland Road taking around 25 minutes.

Concern has now been sparked by shopkeepers that their businesses will not survive due to the predicted dramatic loss in footfall.

Better Food is a specialist organic retailer and cafe, with branches in Wapping Wharf, St Werburgh’s, Clifton and Gloucester Road

Phil Haughton, founder of Better Food, told Bristol24/7 of the “deep anxiety among traders” at the closure plans.

He explained: “What’s been created here in Wapping Wharf is one of a kind of project -it is something really unique and rather wonderful for Bristol. But the reason it works is because it’s on a very important foot route.”

Haughton added: “If you’re used to coming to Wapping Wharf and doing shopping, and you can’t, you will go to North Street. Over the months, people’s shopping habits change, and they don’t return.

“I don’t think we’ll all be here after this. As a company, we may have to withdraw to other places.”

At the time of announcing the closure plans, Don Alexander, cabinet member for transport, said: “We need to carry out these essential works to ensure it remains safe to use now and for many years to come.”

“This work is one part of a wider investment in the harbourside estate aimed at protecting the infrastructure and environment already in place and making the most of the area as a whole.”

Other bridges set to undergo repairs over the next five years are Vauxhall Bridge, Langton Street Bridge (the Banana Bridge), Sparke Evans Park Bridge, Bedminster Bridge and Bath Bridge.

Hundreds of pedestrians and cyclists use the bridge every day to cross from Bedminster to the city centre

Kevin Ramage, owner of Bookhaus, said “the closure will deeply affect businesses” – particularly after a challenging two years in retail and hospitality.

“We are just moving to the summer, which would obviously be a period of increased footfall where we’d really start to get a payback for some of the money we put into the business,” said Ramage.

He added: “Other shops estimate a 50 per cent footfall being diverted away, and a chunk of that won’t come back – it’s a very serious threat. There’s other businesses in Wapping Wharf probably in a weaker position than ourselves whose very existence is threatened.”

“Like everybody else, we understand that the work has to be done. But so soon after Covid-19 and lockdown?”

Wapping Wharf is home to many shops, cafes and restaurants, in the centre of dozens of flats

Kieran Waite, owner of Cargo Cantina, echoed traders’ concerns, calling Gaol Ferry Bridge “the main artery into the whole community”.

Waite continued: “Thousands of people use the bridge every single day. I think that jobs will be lost, we might even see business closures – it’s that serious.

“Looking at my own businesses, Cargo Cantina has no reservations so we rely on people passing by and walk-ins.”

In a blog post in January, mayor Marvin Rees wrote that Bristol’s infrastructure, including Gaol Ferry Bridge, has suffered “decades of neglect”.

He wrote: “We know that this work will cause inconvenience for people as they are used by thousands every day, but they are all in need of repair.

“We will do everything we can to minimise the impact to people’s day-to-day lives, but there is no alternative for these busy and well-used routes.”

Bristol City Council have been approached for comment.

All photos: Betty Woolerton

Read more: The story behind Bristol’s two almost identical bridges 

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