Dylan, the manager, said sales had been quite low compared to the previous Christmas. “I think people much prefer online shopping because they can return items and I don’t believe in that because that just adds more footprint and it’s going to affect a lot of businesses as well. People don’t know what suits them, what they like anymore and it’s very much they want something a little bit easier. They don’t want to think too hard. That’s why online shopping is always a plus for a lot of people. We don’t do returns or refunds just because we want people to shop sustainably and stop the processing of these items. I think on Park Street the Cean Air Zone has definitely affected our footfall. It’s decreased by about 15% and that is actually a big impact on a lot of businesses.” Dylan, the manager, said sales had been quite low compared to the previous Christmas. “I think people much prefer online shopping because they can return items and I don’t believe in that because that just adds more footprint and it’s going to affect a lot of businesses as well. People don’t know what suits them, what they like anymore and it’s very much they want something a little bit easier. They don’t want to think too hard. That’s why online shopping is always a plus for a lot of people. We don’t do returns or refunds just because we want people to shop sustainably and stop the processing of these items. I think on Park Street the Cean Air Zone has definitely affected our footfall. It’s decreased by about 15% and that is actually a big impact on a lot of businesses.”
Dylan, the manager, said sales had been quite low compared to the previous Christmas. “I think people much prefer online shopping because they can return items and I don’t believe in that because that just adds more footprint and it’s going to affect a lot of businesses as well. People don’t know what suits them, what they like anymore and it’s very much they want something a little bit easier. They don’t want to think too hard. That’s why online shopping is always a plus for a lot of people. We don’t do returns or refunds just because we want people to shop sustainably and stop the processing of these items. I think on Park Street the Cean Air Zone has definitely affected our footfall. It’s decreased by about 15% and that is actually a big impact on a lot of businesses.” | adriana amor

We visit the Bristol shopping street split in two by the Clean Air Zone and ask traders how business is

By Adriana Amor
Published 25th Jan 2024, 14:14 BST

There was a mixed picture from the people we spoke to

One of Bristol’s earliest examples of uniformly stepped hillside terracing, Park Street is home to a wide range of shops, bars, cafes, clubs and restaurants - as well as some of the city’s oldest buildings and a world-famous Banksy piece.

But to what extent has the ongoing economic situation and cost of living impacted traders at Park Street? And what about the Clean Air Zone, which literally cuts across the middle of Park Street.

We talked to nine traders to see how business is and what the impacts of the Clean Air Zone, the cost of living crisis and high energy bills have been. Here’s what we found:

Gary, the store manager at The Bagel Place, said the store’s first Christmas season had been “quite good”. He said: “It went a little bit quiet when the students went home, and all the offices started closing down for Christmas, but other than that, it’s been pretty steady. For us [the cost of living crisis] hasn’t had that much of an impact. We're quite reasonably priced compared to our competitors on Park Street, so that tends to bring people back and we do quite big portions so people are quite happy to spend a little bit of extra because they know what they're getting. The Clean Air Zone has been here as long as I have, so I haven’t really noticed much difference. It’s a pretty busy street, Park Street, so it keeps us on our toes.”

5. The Bagel Place

Gary, the store manager at The Bagel Place, said the store’s first Christmas season had been “quite good”. He said: “It went a little bit quiet when the students went home, and all the offices started closing down for Christmas, but other than that, it’s been pretty steady. For us [the cost of living crisis] hasn’t had that much of an impact. We're quite reasonably priced compared to our competitors on Park Street, so that tends to bring people back and we do quite big portions so people are quite happy to spend a little bit of extra because they know what they're getting. The Clean Air Zone has been here as long as I have, so I haven’t really noticed much difference. It’s a pretty busy street, Park Street, so it keeps us on our toes.” | adriana amor

At jewellery and accessories shop Ganesha, Hemlal Ghale said sales had gone down over the Christmas season compared to other years. As for the impact of the living crisis, he said: “The electricity and everything has gone up and people are just trying to get by. People are mostly just scraping by with the money they earn. So I think it’s hard for everyone. As for the impact of the Clean Air Zone, I’m not sure but it seems a lot cleaner although it may stop few people from coming, they won’t make an effort so maybe some sales have been lost due to that, but I’m not too sure.”

6. Ganesha

At jewellery and accessories shop Ganesha, Hemlal Ghale said sales had gone down over the Christmas season compared to other years. As for the impact of the living crisis, he said: “The electricity and everything has gone up and people are just trying to get by. People are mostly just scraping by with the money they earn. So I think it’s hard for everyone. As for the impact of the Clean Air Zone, I’m not sure but it seems a lot cleaner although it may stop few people from coming, they won’t make an effort so maybe some sales have been lost due to that, but I’m not too sure.” | adriana amor

Lisa, the manager of the Last Bookshop said: “The Christmas season this year has been very, very good for us. Probably the best one yet since I’ve worked here and I’ve been here eight years. We’re a discount bookshop, so everything we sell is four pounds or less, so I think that’s why we’re doing especially well at the moment. Because our prices are so low, a lot of people can still afford to buy something here, especially presents. I think it’s only brought more customers to our shop because we’re a low price and especially in the area of Park Street in the centre there's a lot of more expensive shops so we still have a low price which helps. As far as I know, the Clean Air Zone hasn’t impacted us. The road outside is a bit quieter which is actually more pleasant for pedestrians and for us working here. I don’t think it’s impacted our sales in any negative way.”

7. The Last Bookshop

Lisa, the manager of the Last Bookshop said: “The Christmas season this year has been very, very good for us. Probably the best one yet since I’ve worked here and I’ve been here eight years. We’re a discount bookshop, so everything we sell is four pounds or less, so I think that’s why we’re doing especially well at the moment. Because our prices are so low, a lot of people can still afford to buy something here, especially presents. I think it’s only brought more customers to our shop because we’re a low price and especially in the area of Park Street in the centre there's a lot of more expensive shops so we still have a low price which helps. As far as I know, the Clean Air Zone hasn’t impacted us. The road outside is a bit quieter which is actually more pleasant for pedestrians and for us working here. I don’t think it’s impacted our sales in any negative way.” | adriana amor

Louise Emerson, Managing Director of Loot Vintage, said the Christmas season had been quiet, but not as quiet as previous years. “The cost of living crisis has definitely affected shopping in general but our footfall hasn’t been affected too much, just the spending. As for the Clean Air Zone, it has affected us, Park Street has been a lot quieter compared to previous years. It’s very frustrating."

8. Loot Vintage

Louise Emerson, Managing Director of Loot Vintage, said the Christmas season had been quiet, but not as quiet as previous years. “The cost of living crisis has definitely affected shopping in general but our footfall hasn’t been affected too much, just the spending. As for the Clean Air Zone, it has affected us, Park Street has been a lot quieter compared to previous years. It’s very frustrating." | adriana amor

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