12 January 2024
Working in partnership for a thriving East Street
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, recently welcomed guests to the first East Street Property Partnership event, held on 22 November 2023.
Around 40 individuals and representatives from organisations attended the meeting in Bedminster, which was an opportunity to introduce the new partnership.
You can read the Mayor’s thoughts on the new partnership and all the work going on in Bedminster on the Mayor of Bristol’s blog.
About East Street Property Partnership
East Street Property Partnership is an initiative made up of Bedminster Town Team, Windmill Hill City Farm, Action Greater Bedminster and other local groups along with council officers. It is working to support the revitalisation of East Street.
Working with Platform Places, a social enterprise, the council is building relationships between key stakeholders to unlock empty shops and buildings for community led uses.
The aim is to increase footfall on the high street; provide social infrastructure, such as community hub spaces on the high street; improve and increase affordability of the goods and services offered; and boost job opportunities.
The partnership is working to build relationships between people who own space on the high street, as well as commercial agents, local organisations and small businesses.
Innovative ideas include setting up meanwhile leases for community organisations to make use of empty shops to test ideas, as well as the potential to provide more space for small and medium enterprises, and community ownership on the high street.
Kick-off event
The event hosted by East Street Property Partnership featured discussions where asset owners, local businesses, and community organisations explored ways to contribute to East Street’s future. This included conversations about personal connections to the area, what needs aren’t being met, what assets such as shops and business premises are available, and what resources are on offer.
Next steps include a workshop with key community stakeholders to come together to develop a vision for community led and community owned spaces ready for when a space becomes available.
