Life in the Tub

Light up the holidays!

1–31 December 2022

Don’t miss out, book now americanmuseum.org/christmas

Welcome to the winter edition of Indie Bath, brought to you by the Bath BID.

Bath has a wonderful independent scene, and we have put together Indie Bath to make it easier for you to discover and support the city’s independent businesses.

This publication was developed by the Bath BID’s Independents’ Collective, which brings together business groups from across the city centre.

We do hope that this edition of Indie Bath will inspire you to shop local and support Bath’s incredible and unique independents over the festive season and beyond.

Allison Herbert Chief Executive Bath BID

STAY IN TOUCH STAY IN TOUCH

welcometobath.co.uk

/bathbid @bathbid /company/bathbid @bathbid

WELCOME TO INDIE BATH

CONTENTS CONTENTS

Life in the Tub 2

Shop Local This Winter 4

Meet Rhiannon Hamilton from Honey Willow 6

Shops A–Z 8 Meet Alex Peters from Green Park Brasserie and Bath Pizza Co 18

Cafés and Delis A–Z 20

Restaurants and Takeaways A–Z 26

Pubs and Bars A–Z 32

Bath After Dark 38

Accommodation A–Z 40

Festive Family Activities 43

Meet Annette Dolan from Bath Aqua Glass 44

Things to Do A–Z 46 Winter Wellbeing 50 Meet Madeline Blackburn from The Soul Spa 52 Heath and Beauty A–Z 54 Welcome Ambassador Recommendations 57

Map of Bath 58 Dates for Your Diary 60

Cover Illustration:

Tamsyn Gregory tamsyngregory.art

Editor and Designer:

Emily McKay © Bath BID 2022. All rights reserved.

Information published correct at time of going to press. The Bath BID accepts no liability for the information supplied by, or quality of product or service provided by, the individual businesses that appear in this publication.

1 1

LIFE IN THE TUB LIFE IN THE TUB

REBALANCE BATH ANNOUNCE OLYMPIC PATRON

Bath-based Olympian Amy Williams MBE has been announced as the official ambassador of ReBalance Bath, a new wellness festival coming to Bath in February 2023.

Amy was a British gold medalist in the women’s Skeleton event at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, securing Great Britain’s first gold medal in an individual event for 30 years. Since retiring as an athlete in 2012, Amy has maintained an impressive profile through television presenting roles, public appearances and motivational speaking, most recently publishing a guide to success in her book, ‘Talent to Triumph’.

We sat down with Amy to ask her about her life in Bath...

What inspires you about living in Bath?

I have lived in Bath for 34 years – almost my whole life. I love the small city feel, the countryside around Bath, and the stunning Georgian architecture. When the sun glows on the Bath stone, it’s magical.

Tell us about your new book...

After winning my gold medal at the Vancouver Olympics, I knew I wanted to write a book to advise and encourage young athletes. It has top tips, lessons, interviews and practical tools to help athletes wanting to achieve the next level in their sport. It’s also relatable to working and business life, too!

What motivates you?

For me, it’s always been to see how good I could be. As an athlete, how far could I push my body, how strong could I get, and how fast. It’s good to challenge yourself, however little or big that may be.

What is your secret for a healthy life?

Balance! Looking after yourself. Eating well, exercising, talking to friends and family, and having fun. There are always highs and lows that come along, but at the heart of it should be your wellness, fitness, and for me, my family.

Why are you involved in ReBalance Bath?

I’m honoured to be asked to be involved in the festival. It brings all my favourite things together – Bath, fitness, health, wellness, and friends coming together.

welcometobath.co.uk/rebalance-bath

LIFE IN THE TUB

BATH CARNIVAL HELP COUNT DOWN TO CHRISTMAS

Bath Carnival will be helping to celebrate the start of the festive season in Bath at the Bath BID’s Countdown to Christmas event. The Bath Carnival team have been holding free lantern-building workshops for young people to help light up the city on the evening of 17th November, and will also be bringing along a range of light-up costumed characters to ensure the city sparkles as the Bath Christmas Light Trail is switched on.

Bath Carnival is one of the highlights of the city’s annual event calendar, bringing colour and atmosphere to the city centre, and one of the key creatives behind the spectacular event is Hannah Southfield. Lead Artist Hannah works alongside Festival Coordinator Stuart Matson and many other talented professional artists and volunteers to ensure Bath Carnival is both visually beautiful and inclusive. Hannah is responsible for some of the Carnival’s most ambitious concepts, including the amazing Batari, a life-sized Asian elephant puppet operated by up to seven performers simultaneously.

Hannah is an extremely talented designer, maker, and artist with a quiet insistence on the quality and innovation that has become synonymous with the organisation.

Stuart, Hannah and their team of professionals at Bath Carnival promote engagement in the community by delivering hundreds of hours of creative activities, arts-based workshops and learning opportunities throughout the year. Their workshops offer vulnerable children and adults the opportunity to experience music, dance, theatre and costume-making, with everyone coming together in the summer to showcase their creations at Bath Carnival.

bathcarnival.co.uk

shop local shop local THIS WINTER THIS WINTER

Bath is home to an array of independent shops offering a wonderful selection of unique and special items. Show them your support by shopping local this Christmas and beyond...

Bath’s independent businesses offer choice, tradition and innovation, as well as a personal and passionate service. Indies create jobs and have a positive impact on the city’s economy, supporting local artists and designers, food producers and growers.

Supporting the businesses in your local area is a greener choice, and it has never been more important to show Bath’s independent entrepreneurs that you value everything they do. There are so many great ways to show some love to the independent businesses you wouldn’t want to live without, and many of them don’t cost a penny! Our independent business directory makes it easier than ever before to remind yourself of old favourites, discover new treasures, plan your next indie trip to the city, and show your support on social media.

Here are five easy ways to support Bath’s independent businesses and show them that you care... SHOP LOCAL THIS WINTER

GIVE THE GIFT OF INDIES

Christmas is a season for giving, so there’s never been a better time to explore Bath’s indies and find some unique and special presents for your loved ones. Many businesses offer gift cards, which are ideal for those who are difficult to buy for, or you can let your loved ones pick their own perfect present with a Bath Gift Card, which is accepted at over 168 businesses in the city.

SUPPORT ON SOCIAL

Be sure to follow your favourite indie brands on social media and engage with their content. By liking, commenting on, sharing or saving a post, you can help their posts to reach more potential customers.

SHARING IS CARING

Independent businesses with small marketing budgets benefit enormously from word-of-mouth recommendations. If you have had a great experience, be sure to tell your friends or post an endorsement on social media.

SPEND A FIVER

The Totally Locally £5 concept is all about showing people how easy it is to support their local high streets. If everybody in Bath spent just £5 a week at the city’s independent businesses, an extra £17.3 million would be pumped into the local economy per year! FIND A NEW FAVOURITE

There are so many independent businesses to discover in Bath. Make a list of indies you’ve never visited before and pledge to stop by this winter. Your visit will make a world of difference!

MEET BATH’S MEET BATH’S INDIE HEROES INDIE HEROES

We speak to Rhiannon Hamilton, Founder of Honey Willow on Pulteney Bridge...

Tell us a bit about Honey Willow...

Named after our daughters Honey and Willow, we make meaningful jewellery that celebrates loved ones and life’s milestones. We have sold online for nearly 13 years and our website holds our full range of jewellery, much of which is made to order. We now have a shop on Pulteney Bridge, with a workshop opposite, where the team make our customers’ jewellery.

Why Bath?

We fell in love with Bath 15 years ago. It’s a beautiful city, surrounded by countryside, with friendly, down-to-earth, creative people who love living here. I grew up in London, where a lot of people are just moving through. In Bath, everyone is happy to be here.

Share something new and exciting that you have discovered in Bath...

The lido has reopened at Cleveland Pools – a huge project which has been lovingly brought back to life by a team of local volunteers.

What do you do to spoil yourself?

I love going out for lunch or dinner with my husband or with friends. A favourite place for lunch is the Wheelwright Arms in Monkton Combe, and Walcot House is always a treat for lunch, dinner or cocktails.

Your top indie recommendation in Bath?

Botanica Studios is the perfect destination for anyone with a house plant obsession!

What are you most looking forward to in the city over the next few months?

Christmas in Bath is wonderful. Bath Christmas Market brings extra visitors and Bath’s independents put in a huge effort for both visitors and residents. We are excited for our second Christmas as a bricksand-mortar shop on Pulteney Bridge, and we can’t wait to get into the festive spirit with our customers.

honeywillow.com

INDIE A–Z –SHOPS

ALWAYS SUNDAY STORE

9 Broad Street, Bath, BA1 5LJ alwayssunday.store @always_sunday_store

A curated collection of items for an inspired life and home. Discover artist-designed, vintage limited editions, and enjoy takeaway coffee from their instore café, Perk.

AMERICAN DREAM COMICS

72 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BD /bath.comics @bathcomics @bathcomics

Find new and old comic books, action figures and merchandise, POP vinyl, Pokémon, magic manga, graphic novels, back issues and more.

BARTLETT STREET ANTIQUES CENTRE

8 Bartlett Street, Bath, BA1 2QZ bartlettstreetantiquescentre.com

The largest antiques centre in Bath, with over 65 dealers represented.

BATH AQUA GLASS SHOP

15 Abbey Churchyard, Bath, BA1 1NA bathaquaglass.com /bathaquaglass @bathaquaglassshop @bathaquaglass

One of the most beautiful shops in Bath, the flagship store of Bath Aqua Glass sells hand-blown glassware. INDIE A–Z – SHOPS

BLUEBELLS

16 Cheap Street, Bath, BA1 1NA bluebellsgifts.com /bluebellsbath @bluebellsbath

Bluebells stocks a range of on-trend gifts, homeware, fashion accessories, soft toys and Bath souvenirs from well-known brands and local artisans.

BOTANICA STUDIO

17 Union Passage, Bath, BA1 1RE botanicastudio.co.uk @botanica_studios

Started as a market stall in 2016, Botanica Studio is now an independent indoor plant shop selling plants, pots, soil, and plant accessories.

CHANII B

9 Milsom Place, Bath, BA1 1BZ chaniibshoes.com /chaniibshoes @shoesbychaniib /company/chanii-b @chaniibshoes

Limited-edition designer shoes and accessories, designed locally and handmade in Portugal.

COOPERS HOME APPLIANCES

13 –15 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BN coopershomeappliances.com /coopers.stores.bath @coopers_stores

Offering value-driven and customer-focused independent retailing, Coopers strive to make buying home appliances a pleasurable and human experience – an antidote to the soulless online shopping ‘trip’.

INDIE A–Z – SHOPS

ETONS OF BATH

108 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG etonsofbath.com @etonsofbath

Etons of Bath is an interior design practice specialising in renovating and redesigning Georgian homes. Drop into their showroom for an initial chat about your project.

GABUCCI

35 Milsom Street, Bath, BA1 1DN gabucci.co.uk

Sitting proudly on one of the most iconic shopping streets in the UK, Gabucci has been dressing men for over 16 years, and offers a unique men’s fashion experience, with a highly individual, on-trend European style.

GEORGE BAYNTUN

23 Manvers Street, Bath, BA1 1JW georgebayntun.com /georgebayntunbookshop @georgebayntun @georgebayntun

George Bayntun is one of the world’s most famous bookshops and is home to the Bayntun-Riviere bindery, which dates back to 1829.

GOLD & PLATINUM STUDIO

19 Northumberland Place, Bath, BA1 5AR goldandplatinumstudio.co.uk /goldandplatinumstudio @goldandplatinumstudio

A bespoke jeweller specialising in engagement and wedding rings, designed and handmade in their on-site workshop with a personal service from start to finish. INDIE A–Z – SHOPS

GRAHAM AND GREEN

92 Walcot Street, Bath, BA1 5BG grahamandgreen.co.uk /grahamandgreen @grahamandgreen /company/graham-and-green @grahamandgreen

An independent brand that is synonymous with eclectic furniture, hand-picked homeware and unique gifts, sourced from artisans across the globe.

GUITARBITZ

6 Quiet Street, Bath, BA1 2JS guitarbitz.com /guitarbitz @guitarbitz

Guitarbitz is a friendly music store supplying instruments, parts, accessories and guitar repairs, with a large range of guitars for beginners up to pros.

HONEY WILLOW

8 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AX honeywillow.com @honeywillowjewellery

Honey Willow is an independent jewellery shop selling meaningful, personalised jewellery, handmade in their central Bath workshop.

ICARUS JEWELLERY

3 Pulteney Bridge, Bath, BA2 4AX icarusjewellery.com /icarusjewellery @ icarusjewellery

@icarusjewellery

An independent jewellery shop that has been based in Bath since 2015. Icarus is known for its elegant, bold and finestquality silver, handmade jewellery.