News / King Street
Should King Street be the next road in Bristol to be pedestrianised?
Picture the scene: drinkers in the bars and pubs of King Street spilling out to tables not just on the pavement but also on the road, which is now closed to cars.
With social-distancing restrictions likely to be in place when hospitality businesses reopen, they will need all the extra space that can be made available.
Small Bar owner Bruce Gray has urged Bristol mayor Marvin Rees to include King Street in his plans to pedestrianise the Old City.
is needed now More than ever
“The Covid situation is really going to put pressure on everyone, including King Street, Gray said. “We can’t afford to wait to make it happen. If we do we will likely not be in existence to benefit.”
Gray, who also founded Left Handed Giant brewery, said: “I love the fast tracking of pedestrianisation in the Old City, and couldn’t agree more that fast action is needed within this situation to allow the cities independent businesses to thrive.
“However King Street needs to be looked at too. We have one of the most vibrant nightlifes in the city, with a cluster of much loved small, independent bars that is one of the most respected beer areas in the country.
“We also have a street that is capable of four cars driving side by side.
“In the face of reopening with social distancing many of us, including Small Bar, Kongs, the Royal Navy Volunteer, Beer Emporium and Bristol Old Vic will simply die.
“We have the ability to massively increase our outdoor seating (temporarily) without closing the street to traffic.
“Simply allowing a single road width down the centre would allow table seating to be introduced outside each bar and massively increase our capacities, at least giving us a change of seeing the far side of restrictions.
“It is an easy fix, that would provide a huge return. Please take the time to view this and include King Street in your plans for the Old City!”
In a reply to Gray’s tweet, Rees said that he will bring King Street “in to scope”.
Rees said: “We are modelling the knock on effects of each decision so will check with the team about King Street. Have you raised with Nighttime Economy group?”
Rees’ cabinet member for transport, Kye Dudd, added: “We are looking at King Street and the ambition is to pedestrianise/increase restrictions.
“The Old City was a current piece of work brought forward so we had more details and information. We need to do more work on King Street before we are in the same position.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
Read more: Old City pedestrianisation plans move step closer
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