East Street's Makeover Gets Mixed Response

Work to improve a busy shopping street in Bedminster has prompted a mixed reaction from traders.

East Street underwent a £400,000 makeover earlier this year, with new paving, street lighting, litter bins and benches.

Bristol City Council made improvements in a bid to give the shopping street a smart new look and to improve security at night.

While most shopkeepers say the work has improved the appearance of the street, some say the disruption caused when it was being carried out has done lasting damage to trade.

They say that because the road was closed to buses, customers took their business elsewhere and have not returned to the street now it has reopened.

Adrian Harris, owner of Stan Butt butchers, said: "It has been a complete and utter waste of taxpayers' money.

"The road was closed but there wasn't a sign up saying it was business as usual for the shops and people also thought the road was closed to pedestrians.

"The main thing that has changed is they have resurfaced the road – it's not been worth it for the inconvenience it's caused."

Darren Jones, of East Street Fruit Market, said he had seen the number of customers visiting his shop fall by 15 per cent since the work was carried out.

He said: "The work took a lot longer than it was supposed to take and there was more disruption than we expected. People have gone and they've not come back.

"They should put on a free bus once a week to get more people down here."

Wayne Hancock, owner of Wayne's Bakery, which is set to take over from Bake Away, said: "It (the work) has killed Bedminster.

"I think people from Hartcliffe and Withywood have started going to Morrisons instead."

Staff at shops in East Street said the work had also caused problems for drivers of emergency services vehicles.

They said they had witnessed ambulances and police cars stuck behind buses parked at bus stop on a newly narrowed section of the road outside Wilkinsons.

The work on the improvements to East Street started on March 8 and the road was officially reopened by Bristol City captain Louis Carey at the start of May.

A spokeswoman for Bristol City Council said: "£400,000 of improvements have given East Street a smart new look with new street furniture and improved safety with brighter lighting for evening visitors.

"Six new semi-mature hornbeam trees will be planted in the next two to three weeks with a further two later on.

"The road resurfacing did need to be carried out and we appreciate that there was some inevitable disruption during this period for traders.

"However, the feedback we've had from both the East Street Traders' Association and local residents since East Street's revamp was completed has been on the whole very positive. People are pleased with the results and we think East Street offers a great neighbourhood shopping experience."

On the new bus stop causing problems for emergency services vehicles, the spokeswoman said the new bus stop was put in to increase pavement space and improve safety. Emergency services had been consulted and there have been no complaints from them.