Bedminster (Bristol)
Property Partnership
Unlocking buildings on and around East Street for amazing ideas, that help us live affordably, sustainably and together.
In collaboration with
Facilitated by
Funded by:
What is the Partnership?
The Bedminster Property Partnership is a new initiative to unlock our high street buildings for brilliant local ideas, and for community use or ownership.
Our goal is to bring people together (the community, local businesses, asset owners, council and funders) to:
understand who owns the properties on and around East Street;
build relationships and trust between community business leaders, the council, asset owners and other local actors;
start to acquire freeholds & leaseholds of multiple ‘anchor’ buildings – to activate them for long-term local benefit.
We expect this to result in an increase in:
affordable goods and services aligned with local needs;
small businesses and social enterprises;
jobs and opportunities;
social infrastructure and community hubs.
We hope to set a new tone for how properties are owned, managed and used in and around East Street – so that over time it becomes less culturally acceptable to have long-term overpriced, vacant or neglected properties.
Get involved
So far, the Partnership is made up of a group of people from Bristol City Council, Windmill Hill City Farm, Bedminster Town Team, Action Greater Bedminster, asset owners, commercial agents, local residents and businesses — as well as a Platform Places mentor.
You’re invited to get involved and help shape the work of the Partnership in your neighbourhood!
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We’ve been mapping ownership of 152 commercial properties on East Street, Philip Street, Cannon Street & Whitehouse Street – to be able to invite asset owners to the dinner table for conversations.
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In November 2023, we brought key stakeholders together (the community, local businesses, asset owners, council and funders) in a convivial gathering convened by Bristol City Council.
Over food in a local cafe, stakeholders shared the challenges they face, gathered ideas for local spaces, and developed a shared vision for our town centre buildings.
Thank you to ETM Recycling for covering the costs of the gathering. -
Together we are identifying a constellation of ‘anchor’ buildings that can be brought into community use or ownership, and raise funds to activate them with amazing local ideas and businesses – for the benefit of local people.
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We’ll gather our learnings from the pilot project and agree on next steps for the Partnership to continue collaboratively transforming our town centre buildings for long-term local benefit.
The plan and process
Explore our planned activities for our pilot project:
Who’s involved?
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Cllr Tony Dyer
Ward Councillor for Southville, Bristol
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Cllr Christine Townsend
Ward Councillor for Southville, Bristol
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Lucy Warin
Regeneration Officer, Bristol City Council
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Jo Plimmer
Senior Arts Development Officer, Bristol City Council
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Steve Sayers
CEO, Windmill Hill City Farm
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Tom Windaybank
Ocean Estate Agents
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Benedict Pagani
Regeneration Officer, Bristol City Council
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Ade Williams
Lead Pharmacist and Director, Bedminster Pharmacy, Chair Bedminster Town Team
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Sarah Morrison
Economic Development, Bristol City Council
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Anna Ralph
Trustee at Share Bristol
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Cllr Ellie Freeman
Ward Councillor for Bedminster
The Bedminster Property Partnership is an exciting new initiative for South Bristol to preserve East Street’s and surrounding areas’ unique offer and identity whilst supporting the businesses to adapt and grow.
Start your own
Local Property Partnership
Bedminster Property Partnership is part of a UK-wide movement called Platform Places, which is co-founded by the likes of High Streets Task Force, Power to Change, Legal & General, council leaders and community entrepreneurs, and supported by funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
Nominate your neighbourhood to get support to start your own Local Property Partnership.