We visit Stokes Croft in Bristol to ask traders how business is

Footfall has dropped according to the traders we spoke to but they aren't giving up

By Adriana Amor
Published 22nd Feb 2024, 16:28 GMT

Stokes Croft is Bristol's epicentre of counterculture and alternative nightlife and is jampacked with independent bars, clubs, shops and restaurants. But to what extent has the ongoing economic situation and cost of living impacted traders at Stokes Croft? We talked to six traders to see how business is going and the impact the cost of living crisis and high energy bills has had. Here’s what we found:

At the Crafty Egg, Milly said: "On a business level, it's affected us quite a lot financially because a lot of our costs have gone up massively. Like our produce now costs way more to buy so we, unfortunately, have had to put our prices up as well. So it's created a bit of a discomfort in the business. And we've also noticed a decline in our customers in January and February. We've had fewer people visiting because I think people aren't so inclined to go out. So it's affected us in some ways like that."

1. Crafty Egg

At the Crafty Egg, Milly said: "On a business level, it's affected us quite a lot financially because a lot of our costs have gone up massively. Like our produce now costs way more to buy so we, unfortunately, have had to put our prices up as well. So it's created a bit of a discomfort in the business. And we've also noticed a decline in our customers in January and February. We've had fewer people visiting because I think people aren't so inclined to go out. So it's affected us in some ways like that."

At the People's Republic of Stokes Croft China Shop, Sue said: "Because the living wage has increased, our wages bill has gone up considerably. So that means that our labour costs for producing the china that we sell has gone up, and so has the electricity bill. We buy in plain white undecorated bone china, and it's a labour-intensive process of production, so that means that the white goods that we buy also have gone up in price. So, the profit margin for the goods we sell is reduced, which means that we have less money for doing the community program which we are known for and run. We make money from the community and nobody could ask for more loyal customers than we've got. They buy our beautiful mugs and all this crazy stuff that we make, and the profit from that then we use to run the community program, but the margin isn't enough anymore. But we're fighters and we will do what it takes to survive."

2. Republic of Stokes Croft China Shop

At the People's Republic of Stokes Croft China Shop, Sue said: "Because the living wage has increased, our wages bill has gone up considerably. So that means that our labour costs for producing the china that we sell has gone up, and so has the electricity bill. We buy in plain white undecorated bone china, and it's a labour-intensive process of production, so that means that the white goods that we buy also have gone up in price. So, the profit margin for the goods we sell is reduced, which means that we have less money for doing the community program which we are known for and run. We make money from the community and nobody could ask for more loyal customers than we've got. They buy our beautiful mugs and all this crazy stuff that we make, and the profit from that then we use to run the community program, but the margin isn't enough anymore. But we're fighters and we will do what it takes to survive."

Kev from Roman Glass Limited said: "I would say [business has] slowed down, particularly in the last six months. Foot flow has sort of dropped massively. We rely on a lot of insurance work when it comes to shops being broken into and stuff like that. We rely on that a lot. But yeah, general public wise I would say it definitely drops massively."

3. Roman Glass Limited

Kev from Roman Glass Limited said: "I would say [business has] slowed down, particularly in the last six months. Foot flow has sort of dropped massively. We rely on a lot of insurance work when it comes to shops being broken into and stuff like that. We rely on that a lot. But yeah, general public wise I would say it definitely drops massively."

At the Mickleburgh music shop, Sophie said: "Things have been quiet and we're probably starting to feel it now. After Christmas, it's been quite quiet. We still have quite a few students studying nearby at BIM, so footfall's there but the bigger purchases I'd say were down a bit. It's very unpredictable at the moment."

4. Mickleburgh

At the Mickleburgh music shop, Sophie said: "Things have been quiet and we're probably starting to feel it now. After Christmas, it's been quite quiet. We still have quite a few students studying nearby at BIM, so footfall's there but the bigger purchases I'd say were down a bit. It's very unpredictable at the moment."

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Related topics:BristolCost of livingTradersEnergy bills

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