Community circus space to be displaced by development

Plans to build hundreds of student flats could push a community circus space in east Bristol from its home.

The Invisible Circus, which draws together artists, performers, actors, directors, dancers, film makers, choreographers and musicians, describes itself as “run by the circus community for the circus community”.

Formed in 1992 and arriving in Bristol in 2005, the company has base in St Philip’s where professional performance artists can come together to train and others can take part in classes and workshops.

But development plans for St Philip’s Marsh mean Invisible Circus has to move out from Unit 15 on Sussex Street before the end of the year. Premier Business Park is being demolished to make way for student accommodation and a supermarket.

Invisible Circus’ director said that “the loss of spaces like these will have a notable impact on the city’s cultural landscape”.

The site, currently home to a Calor Gas storage yard, the Invisible Circus and 16 creative studios, is bordered by Kingsland Road, Sussex Street, Alfred Street and the Bristol & Bath Railway Path – image: AHMM

The new vision for the Dings site, detailed by developer Dominus Real Estate, would see 637 flats built in two buildings up to eight storeys high, along with a “community space”, ‘maker’ industrial units and a supermarket.

The plans are one of the latest to be unveiled in St Philip’s, which is already undergoing numerous changes with several prominent developments in the pipeline, including a secondary school on Silverthorne Lane (designed by AHMM), the Temple Quarter regeneration programme and other student flats.

Jay Ahluwalia, principal director at Dominus Real Estate, said: “Through extensive engagement, we have understood that a new community space, workshops for local creative businesses and a neighbourhood supermarket would have a real and positive impact locally.

“We have therefore ensured that our plans incorporate these ideas, to hopefully make them a reality.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CqmhipUDCox/

Wim Penhaul, director of the Invisible Circus, said: “Our current situation is part of a far bigger picture.”

“The loss of spaces like these will have a notable impact on the city’s cultural landscape, with many independent organisations being edged out of our central location to the outskirts (or outside of Bristol entirely).

“What makes Bristol so attractive is its diverse, accessible, rich cultural offering, and so it is important to start meaningful conversations about managing the cultural cost of the city’s economic growth.”

Nick Green, senior manager in combined arts & individuals at Arts Council England said that the Invisible Circus has been “an essential part of the culture of Bristol and the South West for over a decade”.

Bim Mason, founder and former director of Circomedia added: “Although hidden in an industrial estate, it is a very important asset to Bristol’s cultural estate and the region will diminish its status as a home of exciting and innovative performance if an equivalent resource is not located.”

The Invisible Circus hopes to find a new home in Bristol that suits its requirements to accommodate those practicing acrobats with high ceilings and floor space.

Invisible Circus is based out of Unit 15 on Sussex Street and a venue for public workshops, courses and performances – photo: Invisible Circus

Main photo: Invisible Circus

Read next:

• Student flats proposed above historic music shop
• Invisible Circus announces summer series: Weekends of Wonder
• Huge 260-bed block of student flats gets green light

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