News / King Street
King Street set to be pedestrianised
When one of Bristol’s most popular bars was forced to close due to the coronavirus crisis in March, its owner said that he “honestly could not see a route to us coming out the other side”.
But one unexpected consequence of the pandemic could be the pedestrianisation of one of Bristol’s most historic roads which would enable Small Bar and its neighbours to have a much better chance of survival once they reopen.
King Street is part of what is colloquially known as Bristol’s ‘Beermunda Triangle’, containing other pubs and bars in the part of the road still open to motor vehicles including the Royal Navy Volunteer, the Beer Emporium and Kongs.
is needed now More than ever
But cars are set to banned all the way along the road in plans being drawn up by the city council following discussions with King Street businesses.
Service access will be provided between 5.30am to 10.30am every morning, with the road closed to all motor traffic outside of these hours. A later phase of the plans will also see the installation of permanent features including more bicycle racks and communal areas.
Bristol mayor Marvin Rees called the news “great”. He tweeted: “It’s empowering to receive good ideas and constructive solutions from positive people. Helps the whole process move faster. Glad we’ve been able to work together to progress this.”
“While Covid19 has wreaked havoc through the economy and will hit small businesses hardest, it may well turn out that the pedestrianisation of King Street is its longest lasting and greatest impacting legacy,” Small Bar owner Bruce Gray told Bristol24/7.
“When we were forced to shut out doors back in March. I honestly could not see a route to us coming out the other side. And with social distancing measures in place, even if we did, how we could trade at that time.
“The closing of the street to traffic will allow us to maximise the summer months’ trade and I hope to find our way to more secure times.
The pubs, bars and restaurants could reopen on July 4 – photo by Martin Booth
“Long-term, the pedestrianisation works Bristol City Council are facilitating may just see this time being remembered as the making of the Old City as a hub for small, independent business rather than the breaking of it.
“I certainly couldn’t have seen myself saying that three months ago.
“Thanks should go to LDA Design on King Street for all their plans and visual works, all the businesses on King Street who have collectively came together to put forward a cohesive plan and to the councillors, police and highways department for their understanding and motivation to see this through so quickly.”
Main image: LDA Design
Read more: Should King Street become the next road in Bristol to be pedestrianised?
Our top newsletters emailed directly to you
