News / Hotwells
Hotwells pub damaged again after car crashes into it
The landlord of the Merchants Arms has been left “let down” and “angry” after a car crashed into the front of his Hotwells pub – again.
It’s the second time in less than four years the pub on Merchants Road has been damaged by the impact of a vehicle, the last being in September 2017.
Landlord Mike Wilkins says the crash in the early hours of Sunday morning has caused superficial damage – with smashed tiles on the front of the building – but he says it has exacerbated fears about road safety in the area.
is needed now More than ever
Police say they were called to the incident just before 2.30am on Sunday morning and have charged someone with driving while over the limit.
A car crash left some tiles on the outside of the Merchants Arms pub damaged – photo: Robin Connolly
The pub has been able to open to business as usual and damages will be taken care of in time.
In the last decade, Wilkins says there have been several other incidents that have taken place along the stretch of road where the pub is situated, just off the busy junction where Rownhams Mead and Merchant Road converge into the A4.
When a car smashed into the side of the Merchants Arms in Sepember 2017, onlookers were initially worried the building might collapse.
As it turned out, the external damage, although serious, was not as extensive as had been feared and the pub was able to reopen the day after.
A silver Toyota crashed into the pub in 2017 – photo: Courtesy of the Merchants Arms
Another incident in the area in 2019 resulted in the death of an elderly man after a serious crash on Hotwell Road.
It was with this in mind that Wilkins described the response to the most recent incident as having caused a “big local outcry” and exacerbated people’s worries about road safety.
Speaking about the accident, Wilks thanked his customers for their loyal support,, saying he feels they are “on his side”.
He added: “We just want to get something sorted out before someone is seriously injured.”
In a statement, Avon and Somerset Police said: “We attended a single-vehicle RTC in Hotwell Road following a call shortly before 2.30am on Sunday, July 25.
“Tyler Barry, 21, from Dundry, has been charged with driving a motor vehicle when alcohol level above the limit and assault by beating of an emergency worker.
“He was released on unconditional bail and is due before Bristol Magistrates’ Court on 21 October.”
Main photo: Robin Connolly
Read more: ‘Bristol’s transport challenges have huge impacts on residents across the city’
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