Banksy show draws 40,000 to Bristol in first week

By ewebster liz webster e.webster

The "Banksy effect" has given traders a much-needed boost as 40,000 people visited the Bristol exhibition in its first week.

Businesses around Bristol Museum, in Queen's Road, said they have definitely felt the benefits of having the biggest ever exhibition given by the elusive artist on their doorstep.

The exhibition, entitled Banksy versus the Bristol Museum, opened last Friday and saw a staggering 10,000 people through its doors on the weekend alone.

Enthusiasm for the graffiti artist showed no signs of slowing down as people from as far a field as New York and Tokyo travelled to the city to see the 100 works on display.

Yesterday workers at cafes, shops and bars around the museum said it had definitely had a positive effect in the tills.

Gal Almoznino, food development worker at Caffe Gusto, in Queen's Road, said: "We've definitely had a lot more people. If it's hot and sunny we're always busy but we're had more than just our regular customers.

"We're behind the exhibition 100 per cent. It's really great for the area and for Bristol. It was really what we needed in these times."

Stan Krykorka, assistant manager at neighbouring coffee shop Cowardines, said: "It's strange. We usually sell lots of breakfasts but people have been so busy getting a place in the queue we seem to have sold less.

"But then when they come out they want snacks, paninis and something to eat. We've had double the amount of customers in the shop."

James, a bartender at Browns bar, said: "We're just getting busier and busier. I'd say we are at least 20 per cent busier thanks to the Banksy effect.

"Considering the students are all starting to go home now it's really noticeable."

But it was not just the food and drinks outlets that had seen more business.

Justine Hopkins, customer consultant for beauty product store Bodyshop, opposite the museum, said: "I do think we've had more people, particularly over the week. We're getting more trade than last week, especially over the weekend, and certainly more when compared like for like with last year."

Steve Ball, manager of outdoor clothing store Kathmandu, agreed. He said: "It's definitely brought a lot of people to the area that wouldn't normally be here.

"I think a lot of people are visiting the museum and then staying in the area to browse. People are coming and seeing long queues and so doing a bit of shopping hoping it will go down."

But further up the road there were some concerns that shoppers were being tempted down to the museum rather than into the stores.

Nick Durbin, manager of Jones Bootmaker, said: "At the moment it seems the exhibition is drawing people away from the shops as they're here for Banksy not shopping.

"It's hard to tell but I think the sheer amount of people will have a positive effect overall. Hopefully people will stick around and spend some money."

The exhibition is open daily from 10am until 5pm and is free to enter. A queuing system is in operation with last entry to the museum at 4pm.