STREET LIFE
IT’S THE
MAIN ROAD LINKING BATH WITH
AROUND 50,000
PASSING
city due to the fact it’s “the main road linking Bath with around 50,000 passing people a day”. And Charlotte Wright, design consultant at hobsons|choice, says although the traffic can be problematic, the silver lining is that it allows people to browse the shop windows from their cars, which often entices them to come and visit when time allows. Even though the thoroughfare is slightly outside the centre, Jacqui Edmiston, a founding partner of interiors store Verve, says it’s becoming an increasingly appealing shopping destination. “It connects the centre of Bath to the surrounding area and is home to unique businesses, many of which have been here for decades, which simply don’t exist in the centre,” she says. “The road is book-ended at either end by big interiors stores (TR Hayes and hobsons|choice) and there are now several really great smaller homeware shops in between – good news for customers who are looking for varied choice.” While Jacqui describes the patch as having an ‘urban’ feel, Jack Owen, creative director of Ice House Design – a branding and graphic design agency which works with large global players as well as some perfectly formed entities just down the road – thinks there’s a gentle European aspect to the area which feels full of promise and optimism. And Anna at The Small Shop believes it has a rambling bohemian vibe. “There’s such a diversity in shops,” she says. “You’ll find everything from a nutritionist and a hypnotherapist to a photographer and a pottery school on the road.” And it’s not just shops to look forward to here, as Giovanni Baiano – who owns Grove Lodge with his wife, Mary – explains. “It also boasts beautiful green spaces, such as Alice Park and Bath Rugby
PHOTO BY BONNIE ROSE
PEOPLE A DAY
Charlotte Wright at the gleaming, Zen-like hobsons|choice
Lambridge Training Ground,” says Italian-born Giovanni, who ran a guesthouse in the city with Mary for nine years before moving to London Road two years ago. They bought Grove Lodge B&B and transformed it into luxury suites – each bedroom having its own private sitting room. “It also offers access to the lovely village of Larkhall with its shops, pubs, The Rondo Theatre, and New Oriel Hall.” For Tobias at In & Out, the most important aspect of the road is its tight-knit community, one that looks after and supports its people. “In an era where this is being lost elsewhere, it is something that is steadily growing here on London Road,” he says. “To strengthen the community spirit even further, we are about to stay open later; we want our café to be a destination for people to meet after work, to offload their day, and to be an alternative to the pub, where a tête-à-tête over a PACK’D superfood smoothie is the order of the day.” Patrick McGuire, the owner of Bailbrook Lodge – an independently owned, 4-star guesthouse which has been operating since the early 1980s – adds, “We love being just a little outside the city centre; our guests love our location. It’s an extremely busy road with a lot of potential, it’s surrounded by beautiful greenery, and has an excellent bus route into the city centre. “There are also great links for walks along the canal,” says Patrick, who also owns the Royal Hotel Bath. “And there are good access routes to Bathford and Batheaston.”
BACK IN THE DAY
“The London Road was an area of the city caught in the Bath Blitz between 25 – 27 April 1942, when there were three separate attacks on Bath,” says Matthew at Tile & Flooring. “Nicknamed the Baedeker raids, they were ordered as part of w
INDIES ON INDIES The favourite shops of London Road’s business owners… “On London Road, there is music courtesy of The Piano Shop, entertainment at Burdall’s Yard [Bath Spa University’s venue for the performing arts], Ashman Jones Vets for your animal needs, The Pilates Quarter for your wellbeing, Clifton Photographic Company for those special moments, drinks at The Curfew, and we can’t forget the convenience store.” Tobias Cambrook-Woods at In & Out “Gardenalia is a rummager’s dream.” Kelly Ann Perry at The Bath Framer
“I love the Dorothy House furniture shop.” Amanda Harvey at The Cheeky Bean “The team at Ice House Design helped us hugely when we rebranded some six years ago.” Jon Kelly at The Piano Shop Bath “We’re fans of The King William nearby; we always recommend it to our guests.” Patrick McGuire at Bailbrook Lodge “We adore The Small Shop which sells fantastically quirky finds – from animal skulls to fossils and ceramics.” Jacqui Edmiston at Verve “One of my favourite is Simon Wright, for pottery lessons.” Anna Woodhouse at The Small Shop
“We love The Bath Framer – it’s clear to see that the team has worked hard to expand it. I also like that it’s an indie business with an individual concept.” Kim Marcer at Ripples “I’m always at Old Bank Antiques when I’m stuck for a family present. You never know what objet d’art you’ll come across. Michael & Jo Saffell’s is great, too. It’s more of an experience than a shop. There’s a constant sense of the unexpected and the bizarre, but also a huge dollop of nostalgia.” Jack Owen at Ice House Design “We wouldn’t go anywhere else to get a coffee than The Cheeky Bean; plus, our neighbours at Wokin do the most delicious Chinese takeaway.” Charis Stevenson at Bath Boutique Stays
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