We visit one of Bristol's most historic areas to ask traders how business is

By Adriana Amor

Published 14th Mar 2024, 12:40 BST

Most shared that it was quieter and people were spending less

Located on the east of Bristol City Centre, Old Market is one of the most historic areas of the city.

The shopping quarter is home to a great selection of shops from vintage fashion and antique shops, to independent furniture stores to specialist climbing and motorcycle stores.

But to what extent has the ongoing economic situation and cost of living impacted traders at Old Market?

We talked to five traders to see how business is going and the impact the cost of living crisis and high energy bills have had. Here’s what we found:

Joe, the owner of Ome, which specialises in making and reselling bespoke terrariums and other works of organic art, said: "I started this business during COVID, which just happened right after Brexit. And it's difficult to completely pinpoint exactly what is down to the cost of living, and what's down to Brexit, what's down to remnants of COVID. So, I mean, with Brexit, we've had huge problems because we're mostly an e-commerce business rather than high-street retail. Brexit has impacted us quite significantly, it's making trade much harder. But you can tell, because we're obviously at a relatively high end in terms of the price tag and the item business, that the cost of living crisis has made people second-guess these sorts of purchases which is why we're so reliant on online and international trade. To be honest with you, if we were to rely just on local trade this business wouldn't be able to exist on the high street, it's only because we've got that online presence."

1. Ome

Joe, the owner of Ome, which specialises in making and reselling bespoke terrariums and other works of organic art, said: "I started this business during COVID, which just happened right after Brexit. And it's difficult to completely pinpoint exactly what is down to the cost of living, and what's down to Brexit, what's down to remnants of COVID. So, I mean, with Brexit, we've had huge problems because we're mostly an e-commerce business rather than high-street retail. Brexit has impacted us quite significantly, it's making trade much harder. But you can tell, because we're obviously at a relatively high end in terms of the price tag and the item business, that the cost of living crisis has made people second-guess these sorts of purchases which is why we're so reliant on online and international trade. To be honest with you, if we were to rely just on local trade this business wouldn't be able to exist on the high street, it's only because we've got that online presence." | National World

Fliss from Mexican restaurant Chido Wey shared: "People want to spend less money. They still want to go out for food but they're less likely to buy more than one round of drinks. So if people aren't buying two/three drinks, a starter and a main each time they come, if they're just doing that, it will affect the amount of money that we make and then affect the number of people that are coming in, which as an independent we need. We need to be popular all the time, we need to be busy. So yeah, definitely people want to go out and spend less money. It's not just about getting people's money, it's just about being able to support the business. So yeah, everyone is affected by it, I think.

I think, luckily, we are still a really popular restaurant, so we haven't really changed in how busy we've been. It's just been people coming for a shorter time, just having something to eat and one drink or whatever. But it's not
stopped us being busy, which I think we're grateful for. We're in a fortunate position that we're always popular, so for restaurants that are still trying to work up to getting more busy, it's going to be more difficult for them. But for us, luckily, we have regular customers. So yeah, we're lucky in that sense."

2. Chido Wey

Fliss from Mexican restaurant Chido Wey shared: "People want to spend less money. They still want to go out for food but they're less likely to buy more than one round of drinks. So if people aren't buying two/three drinks, a starter and a main each time they come, if they're just doing that, it will affect the amount of money that we make and then affect the number of people that are coming in, which as an independent we need. We need to be popular all the time, we need to be busy. So yeah, definitely people want to go out and spend less money. It's not just about getting people's money, it's just about being able to support the business. So yeah, everyone is affected by it, I think. I think, luckily, we are still a really popular restaurant, so we haven't really changed in how busy we've been. It's just been people coming for a shorter time, just having something to eat and one drink or whatever. But it's not stopped us being busy, which I think we're grateful for. We're in a fortunate position that we're always popular, so for restaurants that are still trying to work up to getting more busy, it's going to be more difficult for them. But for us, luckily, we have regular customers. So yeah, we're lucky in that sense." | National World

At Bristol Vintage Shop, Rowanna said: "Sometimes
it's a bit quieter in here now than perhaps it used to be. We also sell things elsewhere like at auctions and stuff. So in that sense, [business] hasn't been affected. But in terms of footfall, there seems to be a lot fewer people coming in. I think mainly just because people are trying to save money by not buying slightly more kind of luxury items. So I think people have been choosing to cut down on buying luxury items or commodities as opposed to necessities. But generally, we still get a fair few people every day. And so there are still people coming, but it just seems like there are fewer people in general on the whole street, not just here in the shop. I just think it's important, if you can, to support local independent businesses. And yeah, even just coming in and having a look around is nice, even if you don't have too much extra money to spend."

3. Bristol Vintage Shop

At Bristol Vintage Shop, Rowanna said: "Sometimes it's a bit quieter in here now than perhaps it used to be. We also sell things elsewhere like at auctions and stuff. So in that sense, [business] hasn't been affected. But in terms of footfall, there seems to be a lot fewer people coming in. I think mainly just because people are trying to save money by not buying slightly more kind of luxury items. So I think people have been choosing to cut down on buying luxury items or commodities as opposed to necessities. But generally, we still get a fair few people every day. And so there are still people coming, but it just seems like there are fewer people in general on the whole street, not just here in the shop. I just think it's important, if you can, to support local independent businesses. And yeah, even just coming in and having a look around is nice, even if you don't have too much extra money to spend." | National World

Beth, co-owner of the independent lifestyle store Good Store Studio, shared: "I think [the cost of living crisis has] changed the way that people shop. We've definitely found it a struggle with prices of everything going up, bills and general consumable stuff. But yeah, I guess it's just having a knock-on effect for everything."

4. Good Store Studio

Beth, co-owner of the independent lifestyle store Good Store Studio, shared: "I think [the cost of living crisis has] changed the way that people shop. We've definitely found it a struggle with prices of everything going up, bills and general consumable stuff. But yeah, I guess it's just having a knock-on effect for everything." | National World

Bristol Cost of living Business Energy bills Traders

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