We explore a run-down shopping centre in Bristol destined for destruction - and get a surprise

The rain was coming down and the dark clouds were over me as I walked inside the tired and run-down shopping centre in south Bristol. I’d turned up to cover the closure of a B&M store - the first one in Bristol - and I fully expected to return with story to match the dank weather.

But instead, I got a surprise. Quite a big surprise, actually.

Knowle’s 1970s-built Broadwalk Shopping Centre maybe destined for destruction, but some parts are actually busy and well used by local folk who, contrary to some beliefs, will miss the retail and leisure offerings at this aging, falling apart structure whose owners are committed to redeveloping it with a controversial housing-led scheme.

“We’re running at a profit - and you wouldn’t believe that from what some say,” says Josh Greenslade, of Greensalde Locksmiths, a small shop front just inside the main entrance to the centre. “The problem is that the ongoing talk of pulling this place down has created a gloom around the shopping centre. Footfall is actually good and we’re seeing the same people coming in every day who bring in custom.”

Josh, however, can’t ignore the closure of B&M, yesterday’s (April 1) shutting down of MW Freshfoods and the upcoming closure of JobCentre Plus. But he responds by pointing at the busy Subway opposite. He tells me that Tui is relocating ‘around the corner’ to expand and nods toward the steady flow of people walking through the shopping centre automatic entrance doors.

The new development would provide 820 homes, a cinema, supermarket, restaurant, library and a dentist - but retail floorspace would be reduced by 40% at the centre (down from 12,580sqm to 5,150sqm). In its application,Redcatch Development Partnership says a loss of some retail and leisure is considered acceptable as part of an attempt to take advantage of underused land.

But Iceland, which a few days ago submitted an objection, says the plans would ‘would result in the extinguishment of the Iceland store in the centre and bring to an end the company’s 28 year occupation’. It adds that the ‘significant reduction in retail floorspace’ at the centre would be harmful for the area, named Wells Road town centre.

“If I can stay here, I will,” Josh says. “They’d be many more people living here to serve, I just don’t know if they’re looking for my kind of shop to fill in the units here, and that’s a shame. I think many of the shop owners here are feeling the same - there’s a worry that mainly lounge-style coffee shops will be wanted.”

As I explore the centre, there are many deserted shop units, including the old Somerfield store, particularly toward the rear of the site. And the corridor providing an entrance from the centre’s free car park is very quiet.

But against this back drop are three thriving social hubs - you just have to know your way around to find them.

Snooker City is down a football ground-like tunnel under the centre which is accessed from a side entrance. Inside, manager Tracey Lord tells me it has more than 1,000 members, plus a steady flow of visitors who pay £2 each. There is a large bar area plus a large function room often used for wakes and weddings. And then, at the back, there is a large snooker room with 14 tables - seven were taken when I visited on a weekday lunchtime.

“We want to stay here,” said Tracy. “If they redevelop the centre we won’t find anywhere suitable at the price we can pay and it’ll be the end for snooker here.” She tells me that the club, which was a training base for former world champion Judd Trump, was stuck on a monthly rolling lease.

“The uncertainty is impacting us - we can’t make any improvements as we don’t know what’s going to happen the next month. The members who want to keep coming here.”

Back inside the centre’s main entrance, the bingo hall, called Club 3000 Bingo, is found down an escalator near the closed B&M store. Like the snooker hall, it was surprisingly quite busy for a weekday lunchtime with with around 200 people sat playing bingo or the many slot machines. Food and drink was also being served. The hall, by all means, was doing a brisk trade.

Coming back up, I discover a children’s play centre down some stairs at the back of the centre. Again, it appears busy with mothers and dads enjoying a hot drink while watching their kids play.

But like the snooker hall, no plan has been made public to provide a space for the play centre or the bingo hall.

The person leading the local opposition to the plans is Laura Chapman. She set up a petition called Knowle Deserves Better - Stop the Broadwalk Towerblocks on behalf of Knowle Neighbourhood Planning Group.

She agrees redevelopment of the centre is needed, but wants a ‘better’ scheme with fewer homes, lower buildings and more space for retail and leisure. Speaking to me today on my visit, she said: “The things that are doing well, like the bingo and the snooker hall, are the things that are not included in the plans - and are leisure facilities where people meet and socialise which we will lose.

“At the centre there is a family vibe. It is a place many people coming to meet. Yes, a cinema is included in the new plan, but that’s not somewhere you can sit down and chat.”

She also said the retail spaces included were ‘too shallow’ for larger stores like Iceland to be included. As the wait goes on for a date on when Bristol City Council’s planning committee will decide on the planning application, she urged people to continue to object by using the council’s planning portal.

There is some support for the planning application, notably from Knowle Community Party councillors Gary Hopkins and Chris Davies who warned the centre could fall back into administration if it was refused.

But Laura says: “Knowle, generally, is not behind this proposal - we want a better scheme for our community.”