News / Bristol Harbour
Pop-up Christmas venue allowed to return to harbourside
A popular pop-up Christmas venue can come back to the Harbourside this winter after councillors granted a new premises licence.
But they heard from local residents that the area around Millennium Square is becoming noisier late at night with an increasing number of bars.
The Spiegeltent is a huge theatre tent set up each Christmas on Waterfront Square, between Revolucion de Cuba and Lloyds amphitheatre. The venue hosts Christmas parties as well as a range of events including circus shows from international touring artists.
is needed now More than ever
Its operators had to reapply for a premises licence from Bristol City Council, as their previous two-year licence expired.
Spiegeltent hosts parties and live entertainment throughout the Christmas period – photo: Spiegeltent
A licensing committee on Thursday, August 3, granted the application after hearing from residents about how the area has changed in recent years.
Joanna Booth, a local resident, said: “In 2021 there were fewer licensed premises in our area. Since then we’ve had BrewDog that’s opened, Lane 7 and Par 59.
“We’ve had licensed premises open every few months and that should be taken into consideration. It’s a residential area too, not just a party town.”
She added that many residents had “a lot of good faith” for the Spiegeltent, but the accumulation of new bars and venues needed to be taken into account.
The Spiegeltent now has permission from the council to run up to 15 events a year ending after 11pm, with most events on the weekend but up to four on a Thursday.
The licence allows the Spiegeltent to open from November to February, although this year it will stay open for just four weeks in the run up to Christmas.
But plans are being explored to put on pantomimes after the New Year.
Steve Meadows, director, said: “We didn’t receive any complaints whatsoever last year. We’re a family-run business and we’re trying to bring really great shows to the town, we’re not trying to be a nuisance.
“We want to bring joy, and international artists and really exciting opportunities for young people in the city and just positive things.”
Alex Seabrook is a local democracy reporter for Bristol.
Main photo: Spiegeltent
Read more:
- Harbourside ranked 8th coolest place to live in UK
- 10 shops to buy sustainable Christmas gifts in Bristol
- ‘Opportunities on the waterfront need to be fully exploited’
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