Snooker legend Steve Davis is backing the fight to ‘save’ Bristol’s beloved Jamaica Street Studios

Snooker legend and DJ Steve Davis has backed a campaign to save some of Bristol’s beloved studios. As a haven for all kinds of creative people, Jamaica Street Studios as it is today dates back to the 1990s.

He played a key role in the ‘rebirth’ of Stokes Croft, which transformed a run-down part of the town into a cultural destination. The building itself, however, is as interesting as former snooker player Steve “Interesting” Davis, who is one of Jamaica Street Studios’ backers. In his current reincarnation as a musician and DJ, he participated in a fundraiser for the studios.

Artists have been there since the 1990s, and now JSS, a community interest company, has the opportunity to buy the building as a permanent home for creatives.

Read on

A crowdfunding appeal was launched earlier this month with the aim of raising £85,000 over the course of the year. So far almost £25,000 has been raised.

In a video promoting the campaign, Steve, who now lives in Bristol, talks about how sad it would be to lose this piece of the city. He said: “I think I’ve started to realize now that I’ve moved to Bristol how much I love this area when places close it’s such a sad thing to happen, especially places like this. So I’m here to support and help.”

“These people are the experts in running this building and now there is a chance to bring it into community ownership.”

The building is supposed to date from 1905, although both research suggests it may be slightly older, perhaps dating to the 1890s.

There are plenty of old buildings in Bristol which have had a wide range of occupants over the years. Many former industrial structures have become nightclubs, warehouses, shops and more.

But few can boast the diversity of 37-39 Jamaica Street, which has been home to carriage painters, the Royal Navy, WOMAD world music festival and, now, artists.

By the standards of the time, it was a very utilitarian construction, no frills, but it has hidden depths. It was the first building of its kind in Bristol to use cast iron frames, much of it held together with iron strainers from the iron columns running through the middle. It also had what was said to be the oldest working lift in Bristol, although it is now defunct.

It was built as a workshop for the Skinner brothers, carriage makers (insurance maps say it was their paint shop). Two more floors were added in the early 20th century.

For several years before the First World War it was the headquarters of the Bristol Division of the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve. This is where the men were mustered for war in 1914.

The building went through many other uses afterwards – a pensions office, a medical examination centre, a plumbing and heating supplier. It was also from 1983 to 1991 the home of Venue, Bristol’s listings magazine.

Jamaica Street Studios hold annual doors days where you can see the studios upstairs, but the ground floor is open from noon to 6pm every Wednesday to Saturday, so you’re welcome to wander around and see what’s going on (and admire a bit of this modestly remarkable building.

For more and details about the crowdfunder, see here.