BRISTOLWORKS Finally; Arena news

WHAT WILL YTL ARENA COMPLEX COMPRISE?

The Brabazon Hangars offer three individual but interlinked areas CENTRAL HANGAR – YTL ARENA 17,080 capacity, the third largest in the UK. Multi-purpose, flexible and unique arena auditorium. Providing the ability to host theatre format shows for 4,000, a super theatre for 8,000 and full capacity gigs at 17,080. The new and unique UK arena configuration allows Bristol to host full-capacity live music shows, but also to offer sporting events, family entertainment (eg Dancing on Ice, Strictly Come Dancing) and comedy shows. As the third-largest UK arena, it will attract major events and shows previously unable to include Bristol in their touring programme.

EAST HANGAR - FESTIVAL HALL A flat floor space for trade shows, exhibitions, conventions and other events. The Festival Hall will also be able to compliment the Arena shows – as a break-out area or extension to the show.

WEST HANGAR - THE HUB A place to eat, work and play, with a visitor attraction, leisure, workspace and food and drink. This will be the heartbeat of the complex, a 365-day a year venue creating quality, full and part-time contracted jobs and opportunities for career progression.

Bristol is a city that’s constantly evolving and reinventing itself. There’s no room for stagnation here; and the latest change will come in the form of a new arena for the city after Bristol City Council gave YTL the green light to repurpose the old Brabazon Hangars in Filton on 4 March.

It’s a landmark moment for the Malaysian family business, who submitted an application in November 2019, but also for the people of Bristol, who will probably have some strong opinions on the matter (two words: ‘Temple Island’).

The birthplace of Concorde will be reimagined and brought back to life, with the character, history and industrial feel of the building showcased throughout the arena – the UK’s third largest after Manchester and the O2 in London. “We’re delighted that the council has entrusted us with this brilliant opportunity to put Bristol on the world stage. It’s a huge step forward for our plans,” said YTL Arena MD Andrew Billingham. “We’re incredibly grateful to all those who have supported us and encouraged us on this journey. And I am particularly proud of our team who have worked so hard to get us this far.

“We are committed to delivering a venue that everyone can be proud of, and that will benefit not just Bristol, but the whole of the wider city region. Today’s decision is a huge step forward in our plans to put Bristol on the world stage.”

Despite concerns to the contrary, YTL Arena will be both financially and environmentally

sustainable. It will be flexible to attract a wide range of events to suit all interests, from music and sport to comedy and family entertainment.

“We will celebrate all that is great about Bristol and the south west”, said Andrew. “If you are local, we hope you will feel at home. If you are visiting, we hope you will leave wanting to come back for more. Famed for being the birthplace of Concorde, this is the next step in the amazing history of the home of Supersonic.

“We committed to submitting a planning application which we have now done and have a successful outcome. Now we are focused on getting the arena open and creating memories that will last a lifetime.” For more: www.ytlarenabristol.co.uk

The proposed Redcliffe & Temple BID boundary

Businesses in Bristol’s fast-growing Redcliff e and Temple areas will be invited to vote for the area to become a Business Improvement District (BID) in September 2020. If the majority vote in favour of the BID, it is anticipated that £5m would be raised over the fi ve-year BID term.

A BID aims to enhance an area and the performance of the businesses within it by delivering projects which are decided upon, and funded by, the businesses themselves. This initiative is being proposed by Destination Bristol, who already operates the successful Broadmead and Bristol City Centre BIDs, with a vision for a Redcliff e and Temple area which is vibrant, thriving, sustainable, inspirational and welcoming.

Following the fi rst stage of consultation, businesses have been sent a draft prospectus which outlines how projects would be delivered if the initiative is successful. They include: marketing the area and creating an identity for it, ensuring that the businesses have a strong and eff ective voice and improving the public realm, aiming to make the area accessible to all in addition to ensuring it is safe and free from anti-social issues.

Redcliff e and Temple BID Development manager Jo Hawkins has been appointed to lead on this project and is being assisted by Tom Swithinbank. Jo previously managed the Broadmead BID for 15 years, working with retailers to maintain the appeal of the city centre’s main shopping destination.

“The businesses I have spoken to love this area; they have watched it change beyond recognition over the last decade, and many are keen to work more closely with their neighbours to ensure that it improves further”, said Jo. “This is where a BID could make a real diff erence, by connecting businesses and delivering projects proposed by them for the benefi t of the whole area.”

If successful at ballot, all eligible businesses, irrespective of how they voted, would have to pay 1.5% of their rateable value towards the BID; those who contribute to a managed space would receive a 50% discount to account for the services that are already provided to them as part of their management charge.

A further stage of consultation is now taking place which includes a series of workshops giving businesses the opportunity to help refi ne the BID proposals before a fi nal prospectus is produced in April 2020. For more: www.redcliff eandtemplebid.co.uk

THE GRAND REVEAL It’s been another record-breaking year for the Bristol Life Awards. After receiving no less than 400 nominations, the fi nalists were revealed on 11 March, with more names than ever making it through.

The glamorous business celebration is just over a month away and capacity has been increased to a record high of 720 following sell-outs in previous years. Tickets, as ever, are selling swiftly and can be purchased on the website.

“Businesses can secure their seats to our biggest Awards event yet in Bristol – though they’ll have to be quick with huge demand again this year,” said Steph Dodd, event director at MediaClash, Bristol Life’s publisher. “There’s also opportunity to treat your clients and reward your colleagues by hosting a partner table of ten – many companies already have! We’re looking forward to seeing the best that Bristol has to off er next month.”

The Awards will be held within Lloyd’s Amphitheatre on 23 April. Tickets can be purchased on the website or contact Claudia.Butler@mediaclash.co.uk. For more: www.bristollifeawards.co.uk @BristolLifeAwds

GET YOUR NOMS IN! It’s not too late to win a prestigious Bristol Property award, but with nominations closing 2 April, time is running out – so if you’re a company on the Bristol property scene, you’ll want to get yours in pronto. Finalists will be revealed at midday on 8 April by email, social media and on the Awards site. Tickets are selling steadily, and are expected to go quickly once fi nalists are revealed.

The Bristol Property Awards will be held on 5 June at Ashton Gate Stadium as a daytime event. For more information, and to fi nd out more about tickets, see the Awards website. For more: bristolpropertyawards.co.uk @BrisPropertyAwd

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We moved to a Victorian terrace in Bishopston in 2013,” begins Rhiannon. “While the house has a small front garden, our large bay window looks out onto the street.

“We’d be sitting in the front room feeling a little on show. We decided it was time to get some privacy, but net curtains were too twee, blinds were ugly and shutters would cut out too much light.

“I decided to hand-paint a pattern on the window to obscure the view. It did the trick. People couldn’t see in, but we still had plenty of light.

“Soon enough, neighbours were knocking on the door, asking where we got the design. I explained, and began to get commissions to paint other windows. After a while, there wasn’t enough time in the day to do it by hand, so I redrew the designs on my computer and found a supplier who could print window fi lm.”

What were you dong before you launched Blossom & Brush? Having studied textile design at university, my fi rst job was as a womenswear print designer for H&M in Stockholm. I lived there for a fantastic year in 2002 and loved the Scandinavian style. When I moved back to the UK, I started designing for Next, and then we moved to London where most of my work was for Monsoon and M&S.

I still design for fashion brands now. Creating prints for a dress is actually very similar to a window; you need to consider the composition and repeat of the design very carefully. I love being able to put my designs on diff erent products.

Give us a brief overview of the designs you offer There are 12 designs in the range. Most are inspired by nature, and feature fl owers, leaves and woodland creatures. I think this comes from my childhood in a remote part of Snowdonia. As a little girl I loved seeing wild animals and collecting everything from acorns and pine cones to diff erent leaves and fl owers. Other designs are inspired by my work in fashion. There are block prints, laces and one that’s reminiscent of Polish paper cut art.

What’s unique or special about your range? Each piece of window fi lm has a design that’s specifi cally resized to fi t the pane of glass it goes on. That means you get a perfect fi t that never cuts off part of the repeat. No two are alike. We also take commissions, so if you want something completely diff erent, we can do it. That’s the beauty of applying print design skills to the home.

How do your window fi lms work? They’re very simple. The fi lm arrives rolled in a tube. All you have to do is lay it out one a fl at surface, gently peel off the backing, spray water on to wet the adhesive and then carefully raise it to the inside of the window pane. It will easily stick on and then you have time to place it and squeeze out any air bubbles before it dries. The fi lm’s semipermanent, meaning it’s durable and can be cleaned like a normal window, but you can peel it off if needed.

Which designs have been the most popular? The ‘folk’ design is defi nitely a favourite. It was the original pattern I painted on the windows at home. It features fl owers, leaves, rabbits and birds. It’s a traditional woodland style a little reminiscent of the arts and crafts movement. Pretty, but not twee. Perfect for a Victorian terrace.

What are some of the most interesting commissions you’ve had? I’ve done all sorts. It’s mainly personalised designs for homes, but we also do our fair share of cafés and shops where the logo is built into the pattern. The most exciting commission we had was from Jo Loves, Jo Malone’s shop in London. We created a bespoke design for her shop in Mayfair a couple of years ago.

Did you notice any positive effects for Blossom & Brush after winning the Bristol Life Awards 2019, Homes & Interiors category? Absolutely. We got many more orders from across Bristol and were invited to loads of interesting networking events for interior designers and creatives. It was wonderful to be recognised for designing something completely new. Without meaning to, we’d solved a problem and were able to fi nd a simple way to help other’s with homes like ours.

What do you love about being a Bristol-based business? People are bursting with ideas and willing to try new things and support small businesses. It’s the type of city where street art is welcomed and celebrated. In many ways, the fi lms are part of Bristol’s look.

Have trends changed since Blossom & Brush started out? The designs are timeless and inspired by nature and historic or ethnic images. Just as Victorian and Georgian houses will always remain popular, there will always be an interest in art that will fi t them. Having said that, we have continued to innovate and introduce new patterns. Being a fashion print designer means I’m always working a year ahead of the current trends. This means we can work in subtle elements that keep the range up to date.

We’ve noticed you’re a dab hand at interior design. Can you leave us with a design tip or two to give our houses a bit of a spring awakening? It’s all about subtlety and careful consideration. Too often people think they have to be really daring rather than thinking about how a room will come together. Don’t let one element become too overpowering, but a common theme is essential. Don’t be afraid of mixing and matching prints, but there must be a clear link. It might be a colour, a style or even just a scale. A tiny fl oral will look odd next to large, bold, modern shapes.