Popular Bristol cafe and shop to close ‘with massive regret and sadness’

A Bristol cafe and gift shop has announced plans to close later this month ‘with massive regret and sadness’. 

The owners of Nook Fox & West say the closure is due to declining footfall and takings alongside increasing costs.

Lucy Fox and Hannah West, who own the shop on Wells Road in Knowle, say it is no longer sustainable to remain open after two and a half years.  

The shop is also part of Broadwalk Shopping Centre, which is due to be knocked down for a controversial 800-home development.

In an Instagram post, Fox and West wrote: “It is with massive regret and sadness that we announce that have reached the end of the road and we have finally taken the decision to close Nook. 

“This has not been easy as we have absolutely loved being a part of the community at Broadwalk and in Knowle, but with declining footfall and takings coupled with ever increasing costs, we have very sadly reached the point where it is no longer sustainable to remain open. 

“We would like to thank our lovely and loyal customers and our incredible team, (many of whom are staying with us in new roles) for a fantastic two and a half years."  

The shop showcased Bristol's makers and creatives, with a range of gifts, homewares, kids toys, cards, prints, treats and goodies.

Despite closing, the owners’ other shops - Fox & West on Wells Road in Totterdown and Corner Stores on St John’s Lane in Bedminster - will remain open. 

They will also be moving their kitchen to Bruhaha, a micropub further down the Wells Road in Totterdown.

Nook is the latest shop in the Broadwalk area to close, with another independent cafe, Nikki Jaine’s Light Bites, closing at the start of 2023.

The 1970s shopping centre is due to be pulled down to make way for up to 800 flats and 30 retail units.

Nook Fox & West is set to close on January 27.