People / My Bristol Favourites
My Bristol Favourites: Stacey Olika
Stacey Olika is Channel 4’s creative diversity coordinator for the South West.
The UWE Bristol graduate is a digital designer and creative producer, and the co-founder of No Boundaries; a platform dedicated in showcasing creatives outside of the central hub.
Stacey is also a speaker on subjects surrounding neo-colonialism, representation in the arts, and what it means to change and rewrite the narrative.
is needed now More than ever
These are Stacey’s top-five Bristol favourites:
Finzels Reach
Finzels Reach is located on a 4.7 acre site – photo: Martin Booth
“I only discovered Finzels Reach around four months ago but it’s quickly become one of my favourite places in Bristol. There’s so much in the area that’s new and developing. I constantly see new pop-up food tents and cute cafes which gave me a really nice working girl summer lunchtime vibe.”
Pinkmans
Pinkmans fabled ‘sour-dough-nuts’ – photo: Martin Booth
“The doughnuts at Pinkmans are unreal. It’s a trek because it’s at the top of Park Street but it’s worth the walk. And it doesn’t stop at its creative bakery; they sell an array of food from elaborate and over the top pastries to delicious sandwiches. Pinkmans definitely has it all.”
Eastville Park
The land for Eastville Park was purchased by Bristol City Council from Sir Greville Smyth of Ashton Court Mansion in 1889 – photo: Martin Booth
“This large park is one of the biggest and well known in Bristol, being the home to many festivals throughout the year. During the first lockdown it was strange to see the place so quiet, but it helped me to explore and appreciate many aspects of this park I’m not used to seeing. Eastville Park kept me sane during lockdown. My weekly Friday morning runs with my girls before work always got me ready to start off my Friday with vibes.”
Church Road
“This is a road that will be etched into my brain forever. Its simple because it’s just part of my commute. And it is home to one of the cheapest and definitely Stacey-friendly stores in Bristol: Aldi. Whilst not being the biggest, grandest or even longest street in Bristol, Church Road is a hub of activity. With independent European stores, quaint cafes and quintessentially British pubs dotted across this street, it’s the perfect example of Bristol to me. An array of cultures all sharing the same space and getting along amicably seems so mundane for the average Bristolian who walks this street, but it’s something I try to never overlook.”
Arnolfini
Currently moored outside the Arnolfini is Navigator, a unique traditional riveted steel ship from Copenhagen built as a cable ship in 1941 and later a training vessel for Danish naval officers. Its charter cost is €50,000 per week – photo: Martin Booth
“The Arnolfini has a special place in my heart, since it’s not only the space that my uni course was based but it gave me my first idea, my first event and my first networking event I curated which got me into TV. This place holds fond memories of ‘studying’ for final exams with friends, sharing a piece of myself with Bristol and the joy of finding myself.”
Main photo: Stacey Olika
Read more: Generating positive change in Bristol’s creative sector
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