"It's really run-down here. It needs something more than takeaway shops...There's nothing in Fishponds." That was the strong-worded but honest assessment from one person we spoke to, last time we walked along the high street for a feature on what it's like to live in the neighbourhood.
Almost exactly two years on, we revisited to find out what's happened since then. The main road into the shopping area is still lined by the ever-present McDonald's and massive supermarkets - Lidl, Aldi and Morrisons all compete for custom within a few paces of each other - but there are some new additions that definitely weren't here back in March 2021.
Based on our observations as well as our own page full of Fishponds news, we've rounded up a few noticeable changes in the area and those expected to come. BS16 has been tipped as one of the next Bristol neighbourhoods to experience the wave of gentrification that has already washed over much of the inner city suburbs, and if the trendy brunch spots are any indication, it might already be happening.
Read more: Nine-bedroom Filton HMO allowed in 'family cul-de-sac' despite neighbours' fears
There's always been huge debate about whether or not that's a good thing, or a bit of both - on one hand it brings regeneration, but on another it bumps up house prices and can exclude the existing community.
Changes in Fishponds aren't quite as far ahead as the likes of Southville or Montpelier, though, which were both named this month among the 'coolest places to live' alongside harbourside, Cotham and Clifton.
If you're a Fishponds local let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Porto Lounge has upsized
Porto Lounge bar/restaurant, part of the Loungers chain, has vacated its corner spot by Fishponds Park and moved just along the High Street into a huge new unit. During our 2021 visit these units were empty and had their shutters down, after the Cardzone and Lloyds Pharmacy that used to be there closed.
The new Lounge opened last month, serving up all-day food as well as cocktails, coffees and more.
Shaws has shut
Just a couple of doors along from the tiled exterior of the old Porto Lounge is the empty Shaws shop, which closed at the end of last year after the chain entered liquidation. It's not yet clear what will happen to the empty unit it leaves behind in Fishponds.
Next door, though, another empty unit looks set to become a charity-run cafe. There is a sign in the window advertising the arrival of PROPS Bristol, who are planning to open a cafe this year that will "begin making a lifelong difference to dozens of adults with learning disabilities".
Crafty Egg has opened
In 2021 we spoke to people on benches in the beer garden outside the New Moon pub. That's since closed down and had a massive refurbishment, before reopening in April 2022 as the Crafty Egg. The bar and restaurant's original branch on Stokes Croft is one of Bristol's best-loved brunch spots with the cool crowd, and its sister site seems to have been just as well-received.
It's currently got a planning application in for the temporary installation of three shipping containers in the car park out back, to be used for food, drink and retail purposes. Plans state that this might include a pizza kitchen, bike repair shop, pop up deli/bakery, pop up vinyl shop or even a microbrewery.
There's already a pizza van out back and Orchard Coffee regularly brings a mobile bakery out front - right opposite the omnipresent Greggs.
New shops and restaurant
It's not all trendy brunch spots and avocado toast - if you want a chicken dinner then just past KFC is a new place called Manzano's, next to the Co-op on Straits Parade, serving up peri peri dishes that have already got some rave reviews. One fan wrote on Google: "At last!! A brilliant chicken shop in Fishponds...Forget Nandos, support local, better, fresher, closer and faster and most of all....way way cheaper!!"
The Bristol Gold shop has also opened next to Subway, there's a new Halal butcher shop called Bizim Kasap and there's also Artichoke whole foods store, which has been open since the end of 2021 selling organic produce, refill items and homeware. Further into Fishponds towards the Staple Hill border there's also a new convenience store, which also has a refill section for those who want to cut down on packaging waste.
Elsewhere signage has gone up for Lextan, which describes itself as "Wales' leading tanning chain". It looks set to open a new tanning salon in the building that used to house World Snooker Services and Bristol Darts, which announced closure in May 2022.
Farriers Arms is still disused
The former Farriers Arms pub on Fishponds Road, which has been left to decline for more than a decade, is still looking like a bit of an eyesore. It was sold as part of a land package to Morrisons in the 1980s but the supermarket faced huge backlash when it proposed demolition. Campaigners have been working to bring the site back to life for community use.
Fed has opened
One of the new additions that caught our eye was FED, with its navy blue exterior standing out on the high street just along from the recognisable deep red of the long-running Grounded cafe/bar. FED opened last May, following on from its first two FED cafes on Gloucester Road and in Redland. If you're passing by you'll struggle not to be tempted inside by the array of cakes, pastries, quiches and filled rolls crammed on the counter top.
Fishponds Tap has had a makeover
Back in 2021, the big pub opposite Morrisons was called the Portcullis and it didn't serve food - it's since rebranded as the Fishponds Tap after a massive refurbishment. As well as pub classics, it specialises in Nepalese dishes including curries and Momo. There's a big garden out back, too.
Cross Hands to become the All Inn
At the other end of Fishponds, the landmark Cross Hands pub recently closed - but it won't be for long. It's being taken over by an Oxford-born pub chain known for its craft beers, burgers and pizzas, and they plan on renaming it as the All Inn.
Not everyone's happy about the proposed name change, though, with more than 700 people signing a petition to save it. "The name Cross Hands is part of the local heritage of Fishponds and we shouldn’t lose it," wrote one regular.
The buses still aren't great
Since 2021 there have been more cuts to Bristol's bus services, and fastest Fishponds service to and from the city centre - the Y5, which went via the M32 rather than Stapleton Road - has been cut.
The 48, 48A and 49 still operate, however, and they're not impacted by the April 2023 cuts - they're actually increasing in frequency, with 10 per hour during peak times.
A massive new estate is planned
This week a public consultation launched to determine the future of a large industrial area in Fishponds known as 'Atlas Place.' Developers say the site on Goodneston Road and Filwood Road could accommodate 2,500 homes along with commercial and open space and improved transport links.
Read next:
- Land next to Bristol's 'bridge to nowhere' could become home to 16-storey student development
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- Former B&Q at Filton Retail Park could become nine-storey student block near UWE
- Plans for new supermarket and blocks for 628 students unveiled on industrial estate
- New bus service launched to replace axed 'lifeline' route to be cancelled
