The ever-changing ‘Gateway to East Bristol’ which has still managed to retain its original character

While the Old Market remains one of Bristol’s oldest shopping streets, a number of new businesses have sprung up in the area in recent years. But despite the changes, the Old Market seems to have been able to retain its unique character.

Although the impact of Covid, rising rents and the rising cost of living have led to a glut of units, they are now starting to be occupied again. One of the area’s newest businesses, East Bristol Books, is set to open in a few weeks in what was previously a vintage shop, and there’s also a new art gallery and photography studio.

Academics Dan and Andres, who met at a poetry competition, are currently ordering stock for East Bristol Books and are full of hope for their new store. “The cultural scene seems to be taking off in the Old Market and we thought the area needed a new bookshop – it’s the gateway to East Bristol, everyone who lives in East Bristol comes here,” explained Dan.

READ MORE: How Bristol’s Old Market turned from a derelict neighborhood into a thriving ‘gay village’

READ MORE: Remembering the riots in the Old Market, when violence broke out as 4,000 crowds protested against cuts

Like much of the area, there is a sense of nostalgia and an appreciation of the past. An old printer already sits in the window, and when the bookstore opens, the pair plan to hold printing workshops where members of the public can experience the process of printing books before typewriters and digital methods were invented.

Although their shelves are still bare, their door is decorated with a Palestinian flag which they say reflects “Bristol’s official position”. Although the current war in Gaza has seen an increase in Palestinian flags in independent homes and businesses in east and central Bristol, flags have always been a regular feature of Old Market Street, particularly the Pride flag.

For the past 30 years, the area has been labeled as ‘Bristol’s Gay Village’ and Bristol Bear Bar, The Old Castle Green and Old Market Tavern are among those that cater specifically to the LGBT+ community. Although there has been talk in the community of “reviving the Old Market Gay”, with some people feeling that the area has changed in recent years, others would argue that the area has maintained its diverse and progressive reputation, which has a long history.

Kingsley Hall now houses the homeless youth charity but was once occupied by the East Bristol Conservative Party. By 1911, the political makeup of the area had changed dramatically, and the 18th-century building became the home of the Independent Labor Party.

The building itself still takes its name from Charles Kingsley, a Christian socialist from Devon who was educated in Bristol. Through the Great Depression of the 1930s, the area became the site of a huge riot, with 4,000 people protesting unemployment cuts at a time when there were no jobs.

“It’s a very interesting place with a lot of different cultures, it’s got a lot of character and it’s kept its originality,” Gary Tucker said. The local roofer has done a lot of work on old buildings over the years and often stops at the local cafe, Old Market, which has been serving customers for over 20 years.

The owner of the cafe, Ali Bulut, remembers a period when 43 shop windows were blocked in the area. Although Mr Bulut has seen more change than some of the newer businesses in the area, his cafe is relatively new compared to pubs such as The Stag and Hounds, which is one of Bristol’s oldest pubs and houses the only pump city ​​water manual.

Mr. Bulut welcomes the changes in the area. The cafe owner is, however, disappointed by the recent refusal to grant planning permission for a “light hotel”, which he believes would have been beneficial for his business and other cafes and restaurants in the area, despite the Old Market rejecting the plans Community Association. .

Ben Abbots moved his bike shop from All Saints Road to Midland Road a year ago. Like others, Ben isn’t sure what the future holds, but says there remains a sense of community for Old Market.

He says he is concerned that the area is being “yuppified” now, with new apartments being built and the “island” feel of the place changing with its proximity to the huge Temple Quarter Development.

He said: “It’s kind of weird about the old market because it’s a bit cut off by the roundabouts at each end and it’s all industrial on the other side, although they understand it. It’s a bit of an island, but I think that’s changing. because they are building a lot of apartments.”