8 abandoned landmark buildings in Bristol - and what they used to be
Many of these buildings require some love and attention
You can’t miss them. Eight major buildings across Bristol which were once busy with activity - but today are empty, many subject to long-running planning or legal disputes.
From the Grosvenor Hotel, struck by fire in October, to the former Debenhams department store which closed in October 2021, these big sites require heavy spending to bring them back into use.
But for the good of the city, it’ll be beneficial these sites soon get the love and attention (or the demolition) they require.
5. Simonstone, Bath Road, Brislington
Once a huge car dealership, the Simonestone site on the Bath Road has been closed since 2019. It was briefly occupied by an events firm, but this year the owner forfeited the lease and it is now back in the hands of Hartwell Plc. It’s now not clear what is planned next for the site.
6. Coop clothing and tailoring factory, Bath Road, Brislington
The 1936-built building closed as a factory in 1980 and has been vacant for several years. Plans were proposed by Sovereign Housing Association to build 120 homes at the site - but these were refused by Bristol City Council. The housing association has since submitted an appeal, and a decision is due from the Planning Inspectorate.
7. Bristol War Rooms, Brislington
The world watched on with baited breath as the Cold War played out throughout the 1950s and 60. Bristol was no different. So much so, a two-storey concrete-walled site was built in 1953 to ‘coordinate civil defence’ in the event of an atomic attack, and to protect the local authority. Found off Flowers Hill in Brislington, the nuclear bunker now forms part of a site purchased for homes by Bellway Homes, although its hoped the bunker will be reopened for community use.
8. Bank House, Bank of England House and Norwich Union House, Castle Park
The imposing building sits at the heart of the city, its windows boarded up and stone work badly faded. Of late, artists have been using the site to paint murals. A controversial development which would see the building demolished and replaced with shops, restaurants and cafes has been approved by Bristol City Council.