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Popular Stokes Croft vintage market to close after eight years
A vintage market in Stokes Croft is shutting its doors after eight years in business.
The Vintage Market is overseen by Bristol charity, Love Bristol, who also own Elemental cafe and Happytat in Stokes Croft.
In a statement, Love Bristol told Bristol Live: “Gentrification is sweeping the streets of Stokes Croft and there is no longer room for the community-led Vintage Market”.
is needed now More than ever
The building, which used to operate as a car dealership and showroom, was transformed into a vintage market in 2014, and is known for the wild and wacky items that are dug up from its corners.
92 year old Keith repairs watches at the vintage market – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Love Bristol was given the lease by Andrew Brown of Portland Brown, whose offices are opposite the Vintage Market.
The corporate housing provider was originally granted permission for the plans in 2020 and now wants to develop the building for a “mixture of studio, workspaces, retail, eating and drinking spaces.”
The Vintage Market holds over ten different businesses, from antique dealers to watchmakers, to the popular record shop, Collectors Cave, as well as running different community projects in and around Stokes Croft.
Love Bristol also looks after the Vintage Market’s neighbour Liberty House and furniture shop Happytat – photo: Mia Vines Booth
Darren Jones, manager of the Vintage Market, told Bristol24/7 that the volunteers have been given until August 15 to leave the premises.
Jones aims to continue trading until Sunday, July 31, from which point they will spend the next two weeks vacating the building until a new premise is confirmed.
Jones said he was “gutted” about the news, but hopes the market will be able to find a new home in Stokes Croft.
“This is where my heart lies,” he said.
Darren Jones is the manager of the vintage market – photo: James Koch
“I love being part of the local community here. Stokes Croft has a fantastic community” he added.
“There’s a lot of local people who are hidden away who get dwarfed by the nightclubs and the partying.”
Jones pointed out that some of the volunteers struggle with disabilities such as Asperger’s and Autism, and stressed that the move will be hard for them all.
All of the volunteers are big characters with their own stories.
92-year-old Keith, for example, repairs watches in the building. He’s rumoured to have gone shooting with Prince Charles, learning the tricks of the trade in the military.
These stories make up the character of this popular community space.
“We’re not just a bunch of retailers out to get money. We’re helping out,” says Jones.
“I’ve enjoyed my stint being in this area,” he says. “I hope we’re going to find somewhere.”
Main photo: Mia Vines Booth
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