Civic Enterprise Challenge:
‘Re-Imagining the High Street: Engaging Communities & Sustaining Success’
Fact Sheet: Whiteladies Catchment
Area / Geography / Architecture
Whiteladies Road is an ‘up market’ shopping area of Bristol on one of the main arterial routes in to
and out of the city, stretching from Clifton Triangle for over a mile up to the Downs. In recent years
the impact of out of town and online shopping coupled with the impact of various traffic schemes
have taken their toll on the viability of the area. Most of the shop units are on the ground floor of
ageing Victorian building stock, although some predate this era. The road climbs steadily from the
Triangle getting steeper up Blackboy Hill until it reaches the Downs.
The BBC has their regional production centre on Whiteladies Road, and the area is served by Clifton
Down Station which celebrates its 140th birthday later this year.
Retail / Entertainment
In the catchment (includes Alma, Alma Vale, Cotham Hill, Chandos and Lower Redland Roads) there
are over 300 businesses; the majority are retail bases, although there is a good percentage of bars,
restaurants and coffee shops. There is a good mix of national and regional chain stores along with a
strong independent sector. All of the major banks have a branch on the main Whiteladies Road. The
cinema has been derelict for over a decade but there are strong indications that it will be re-opening
in the not too distant future.
There is a Library, and two Post Office Branches in the area, in addition the Students Union is located
at the southern edge of the area, The Bristol Lido is also just off Whiteladies Road
Cotham Hill has a strong mix of independent stores and good showing of Charity Shops.
There is also Clifton Down Shopping Centre which houses a large Sainsbury’s store and a Boots
pharmacy
Accessibility
Whiteladies Road is served by several bus routes (both First and Wessex) as well as having a railway
station adjacent to Clifton Down Shopping Centre. The shopping centre has its own multi storey car
park that can house 350 cars; further parking is available on street although this will be curtailed by
the introduction of Resident Parking Zones during 2014. There are plenty of cycle racks up and down
the road.
Challenges
The area has suffered from the economic down turn and the impact of new shopping developments
both in the city centre and on the outskirts of the city. The introduction of the Greater Bristol Bus
Network (GBBN) scheme has adversely impacted a number of stores on the western side of the road
where ‘commuter shopping’ parking spaces have been eliminated by the dedicated bus route;
although the GBBN has improved parking for the other parts of the area.
Because of its prestige reputation the area has one the highest rental values for retail in the city, this
of course means that the majority of shops are ineligible for Small Business Rate Relief
The high transient population means that business is very cyclical around the term times for the
universities; the high student count also leads to some antisocial behaviour which detracts from the
area. Despite all of these issues occupancy rates are generally quite high with only 6.1% vacancy rate
(BCC Jan 14); many of the empty units have work in progress or have strong expressions of interest
so by the middle of the year we should see most units occupied.
There is a need to make both the transient and resident communities aware of the shops and
businesses that operate in the area, to help raise this awareness a map is being delivered to all the
homes in the area, and a Winning Whiteladies website, Facebook and Twitter pages have been set
up. To attract new customers a series of events and activities are planned throughout 2014.
Questions
1 How many businesses are there within your patch?
Over 300
2 What types of business?
We have all the major banks, several stores from Tesco, Sainsbury and Morrison, 2 Post Offices,
along with Opticians, Pharmacies, Beauticians, charity shops, cafes and restaurants.
There is a farmers market on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of each month
On Cotham Hill the retail mix is one of good independent stores, restaurants and charity shops
Chandos Road is home to a Michelin starred restaurant, a couple of bars and some independent
stores and a theatre
Alma & Alma Vale Roads are home to a mix of independent stores, a new wool shop a theatre and a
bar
3 What are the key challenges to community engagement / business sustainability?
The reputation of ‘the strip’ (the section of bars and clubs between Clifton Down and the BBC) for
previously being rowdy and noisy. This is no longer such a problem but it remains so in the minds of
many of the community.
Parking, whilst many immediate locals walk, there are a large number who do not. There is
considerable confusion over parking where, when and how long, and this will be made worse with
the roll out of the Residential Parking Zones as the area has 4 boundaries with affected zones which
have 2 different roll out phases.
The high levels of rent and business rates mean that it is very difficult to attract start-up businesses
to the area.
High traffic volumes mean that it is challenging to cross from one side of the road to the other.
Some of the areas are remote from the main road, which by its very length and gradient make it
challenging to shop.
4 What are the key facts and features about the area that might guide thinking?
High student population – leaves the area partially devoid of customers for part of the year
Close to many of Bristol’s main tourist attractions
On one of the main commuter routes in / out of the city
High net worth residents
Ken Simpson
Project Manager Winning Whiteladies
07831 668647
winningwhiteladies@gmail.com
www.winningwhiteladies.co.uk
@wwhiteladies