M&S closed its Broadmead store almost a year ago - after being part of Bristol’s high street for 70 years. The prime spot has stood empty ever since but now the public has been invited to have their say on future plans for the building.
Education charity Global Goals Centre has teamed up with Artspace Lifespace to turn the old M&S store into a “vibrant, positive venue where local people and visitors can shop, recycle and explore what a greener, fairer and creative future could look like.”
On Wednesday night, people can attend a meeting at Redland Library, on Whiteladies Road, to discuss the ne creativity hub, which is being called Sparks. Organisers are also looking for people to get involved in the project.
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Jenny Foster, Project Lead at Global Goals Centre, said “We’re hoping Sparks will enable people to make more sustainable choices, to recycle goods, just to make things more accessible and affordable for people.”
The two floors will be split into two separate areas, with the top floor being dedicated to offices, creative and rehearsal spaces, while the bottom will be a public-facing “hub of sustainability, innovation and creativity.” Jenny said that they’re still developing the main bulk of the plans so any input from the public is very much welcome.
"Having a community space in the heart of the city that says this is what Bristol is about," she said. "This is who it's for, this is for local people and local traders."
The new hub is set to open at 12pm on May 13. This huge collaboration of more than 25 groups is only a pilot but if it’s well-received it could pave the way for other stores to be used in the same way.
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