Located in North Bristol and running through St Andrews, Bishopston and Horfield, Gloucester Road has been described as having the longest row of independent shops in Europe.
But to what extent has the ongoing economic situation and cost of living impacted traders at Gloucester Road?
We had the opportunity to talk with nine traders to see how the Christmas season had treated their business and the impacts of the cost of living crisis and high energy bills on their business.
We had the opportunity to talk with nine traders to see how the Christmas season had treated their business and the impacts of the cost of living crisis and high energy bills on their business.
5. Iota
At Iota, Daisy, who has been managing for about two years, said: “So we have found that the impact of the cost of living crisis hasn't been too much of a blow. Mostly I think last year, we were busier and made more. It was only January of 2023 that was a struggle but other than that, it's been better, which is interesting, because we're always expecting things to slow down a bit, but that hasn't really happened. So I don't know whether it's this area or, I suppose because we're a gift shop, everyone always will be buying gifts. It's less so people treating themselves, I think, but people are still buying for other people.”
6. Playfull Toyshop
At Playfull Toyshop, Kirsten Price said: “We had a very slow Christmas, the slowest we had in many, many, many years. There were not a lot of people around. The footfall was quite bad. Electricity’s going up, there are lots of things happening, and people are just not spending money. They’re spending money online, but not in shops, and that’s the problem I think. People realise how easy it is to spend online and don’t go to shops anymore, which is difficult for little ones like ours.”