Cabot Circus boosts Broadmead fortunes
Broadmead is enjoying a boost following the opening of its plush new neighbour Cabot Circus.
The tens of thousands of shoppers who poured into the £500 million new development have also been visiting the revamped Broadmead.
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John Hirst, Broadmead manager, said trade had increased after the opening of Cabot Circus.
Mr Hirst said several stores were already reaping the rewards.
He said: "One large food retailer took £6,000 more between opening time and 2.30pm on Thursday than it did on the same day last year.
"Another shop has been in touch to say they took £3,000 on Thursday compared with the same day last year.
"Some of the shops have been in a downward spiral for some time and now the place is buzzing.
"People are using Broadmead as a place to walk through and shop in on the way to Cabot Circus, which is great."
Mr Hirst added: "When I asked the traders how things were going, they've all been positive and some of them have said it's been amazing.
"I've yet to find someone whose had a bad day on the back of it. We've got one sports retailer with stores in both Broadmead and Cabot Circus and I've been told that both shops took the same amount of money on the opening day of Cabot Circus."
Broadmead is undergoing a £11 million facelift so that it does not look out of place next to its shiny new neighbour.
Bristol Alliance, the developers of Cabot Circus gave £9 million towards the work.
Most the work is now complete with new paving, lighting, street furniture and signs, landscaping, upgraded store elevations and six new shops.
Work is currently underway on the row of stores where River Island was.
Shops in Broadmead raised £2 million for the works and now retailers are considering investing in a five-year marketing campaign and regular cleaning regime to ensure Broadmead retains its appeal.
If traders agree, a full calendar of events will be developed with street entertainment and promotions.
Cleaning and maintenance would be improved to include hourly sweeping patrols, removal of graffiti and chewing gum and prompt and efficient trade waste disposal.
A vote will be taken next month on whether to push ahead with a second Business Improvement District campaign.
11 Comments
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by Daniel, Thornbury
Monday, September 29 2008, 4:56AM
“I don't see the appeal of Cabot Circus or Broadmead really. Takes a age to get to and then you have to pay for some expensive parking and then pay over the odds for stuff.
Cribbs is alot easier to get to plus there is free parking.
It's easier and cheaper to jump on the motorway for the short trip up to the outlet village in Swindon where the savings are very noticeable.
In today's financial climate people should really be looking after the pennies and all Cabot Circus is going to do is encourage people to spend money they may not necessarily have.”
by Yokel, Brizzle
Saturday, September 27 2008, 5:40PM
“I thunk it were that Billy Smarts circus up on they downs.”
by Dani, Bristol (That side of town)
Saturday, September 27 2008, 4:48PM
“I went to Cabot Circus today and i think it is a breath of fresh air. There were thousands of people there from all parts of the city and outside of the city. I for one will be visiting Cribbs a lot less than i used to now!!”
by lorraine, south glous
Saturday, September 27 2008, 4:00PM
“cribbs is not pants as you put it its one of the best out of town shopping malls about in the south west
and yes i have seen the new cabot circus and yes its ok for that side of town”
by The Last Bristolian, Bristol
Saturday, September 27 2008, 3:30PM
“Oh Lorraine, you should see it!
You'll LOVE it!”
by The Northsider, Gas Lane
Saturday, September 27 2008, 11:29AM
“Cribbs is pants”
by Dave, Bristol
Saturday, September 27 2008, 11:05AM
“We won't get a true effect on impact until around February/March after all the winter sales, Christmas shopping, January sales etc have died down. It is October now (well in a dew days time) and many people are starting to think of christmas related items/presents.”
by lorraine, south glous
Saturday, September 27 2008, 9:42AM
“cribbs will be fine its still the best out of town shopping mall”
by Alex, Bristol
Saturday, September 27 2008, 9:19AM
“Why the hell is the Evening Post glamourising how much profits these commercial outfits are making..
The way it's worded, is as if it's like this money is being collected for charity..
CONSUME, CONSUME, CONSUME.
BUY, BUY, BUY.
MORE, MORE, MORE.”
by Green Bristol Blog, blogspot.com
Saturday, September 27 2008, 8:44AM
“It would be foolish to draw conclusions from the trading pattern on the first day, especially from the morning period before Cabot Circus even opened.
Money spent at Cabot Circus would otherwise be spent somewhere else, so someone somewhere is going to lose trade.
Whether it's Broadmead, Cribbs Causeway or traditional shopping streets like Gloucester Road that lose out remains to be seen.
The long term impact of Cabot Circus may not be clear for some months, but there's no bucking the rule that you can only spend money once.”