Cabot Circus, Bristol is open

The Bristol Alliance celebrates the opening of one of the largest city centre shopping and leisure destinations in the UK with a day of radical circus theatre

Cabot Circus, Bristol’s long-awaited shopping and leisure destination, opens to the public today at 12.00 p.m. Thursday 25th September. The opening of the £500 million scheme marks the completion of an eight year programme to deliver one of the largest retail-led city-centre urban regeneration projects in the UK, and is expected to propel Bristol into the UK’s rankings of top ten retail destinations.

Developed by the Bristol Alliance, a partnership between two of the UK’s leading property development companies, Land Securities and Hammerson, Cabot Circus comprises one million square feet of shopping and entertainment on a high profile gateway site on the M32 approach to Bristol.

Designed by seven different firms to create architectural variety and a cosmopolitan streetscape atmosphere, Cabot Circus is seamlessly integrated into the city through a series of open streets and squares, and features a dramatic and innovative glazed roof above the scheme’s principal open space. Featuring 140 new shops, with some 75 retailers making their city centre trading debuts at Cabot Circus, the scheme is being credited as a core element in Bristol’s transformation into a world-class shopping destination. For the first time the city’s large affluent catchment population will be able to shop at stores on their doorstep such as: Harvey Nichols, Apple, A|wear, Cruise, Ghost, Guess, Hardy Amies, Hugo Boss, Kurt Geiger, Lacoste, Links of London, Lombok, Molton Brown, Reiss, Ted Baker, Thomas Pink, and The White Company. House of Fraser will also be launching the first of its new UK concept stores at the scheme.

Bob De Barr, Bristol Alliance Project Director, said:

“This is a very proud moment for the Bristol Alliance. The opening of Cabot Circus marks the culmination of years of preparation, involving many thousands of people, and represents the creation of an architecturally stunning new city quarter for Bristol.

“Cabot Circus has finally brought the range and quality of shopping which this city has long deserved.

Some 100 retailers will be opening their stores today, with many more in the following days and weeks.

Of these, some 75 will be opening in the city centre for the first time. Bristol will become the undisputed regional shopping capital for the South West.”

Robin Dobson, Bristol Alliance Project Delivery Director, said:

“Our success in delivering this scheme is a testament to the strength of the working relationships established with the Council, city stakeholders, retailers, and the people of Bristol – all of whom have played a significant role in the realisation of Cabot Circus.

“Collaboration has been the cornerstone of every aspect of this project, from the collective efforts of the seven teams of architects, right through to the ten different contractor firms and the 3,500 construction workers involved in bringing the vision for Cabot Circus to reality. The legacy of their remarkable achievement will be enjoyed for years to come.”

Cllr Helen Holland, Leader of Bristol City Council, said:

“Bristol's regeneration and the renaissance of the harbour, the old city, Temple Quay, Queen Square and our highly valued but previously under-used urban spaces, have been very much a major part of my world for fifteen years. Supported by many talented Bristolians and other specialists, who have come to love Bristol as much as we do, we have worked together to bring renewal and employment, as well as spark and new life to our city, without compromising our unique history and industrial heritage.

“Cabot Circus delivers our ambition for retail in Bristol. It combines a fantastic innovative design, with the sensitive remodelling of treasured spaces. Quakers Friars will, I am sure, be the jewel in the crown for new visitors as well as for Bristol residents. It all proves that it is possible to boost the economy and make a difference to a major city whilst positively enhancing its character. A huge thank you is due to those people who have helped us deliver Cabot Circus.”

While the 25th September marks the delivery of the retail and leisure elements of Cabot Circus, further phases of the overall 1.5 million square foot development masterplan are set to follow. Later this year, 32 new residential apartments for rent on the north side of Quakers Friars will be completed by the Bristol Alliance, as will 24 affordable homes being developed in partnership with SOLON South West Housing Association. In Spring 2009, Future Inns will be opening a 140-bed hotel, and MCD, the residential urban regeneration specialist, will be completing some 200 contemporary apartments in Winter 2009 on the south side of Quakers Friars incorporating a 15-storey residential tower rising above Harvey Nichols

source : Land Securities