With soaring inflation and energy prices putting extreme pressure on personal finances at the moment, Bristol City Council has been working with organisations across the city to set up a network of 'Welcoming Spaces' where people can keep warm if they need to and access support related to the cost of living.
However, as many local venues, charities and businesses will be closed or at limited capacity over Christmas, several Welcoming Spaces will be shut in the coming weeks. To help people access the service, the council has released the visiting hours for some of the spaces that will still remain open over the Christmas and New year period.
The only space listed as being open on Christmas Day is The Port of Bristol Sports Community Hub in Shirehampton. It's typically open every day from 9am to 10pm but will operate from 11 am to 1 pm on December 25.
Meanwhile, Spaces at Easton Leisure Centre, Henbury Henbury Leisure Centre, Horfield Leisure Centre, and Kingsdown Kingsdown Leisure Centre are all open on Christmas Eve. BCC points out that these opening hours may be subject to change and that if you are planning to visit a Welcoming space over the coming weeks, it is advisable to call in advance and check.
Read More: We visited a Bristol warm space where 'everyone is welcome' this winter
Contact numbers for those in need of support over the coming weeks can be found on the council's website, and a full list of welcoming spaces operating in the Bristol area.
Bishopsworth Zion Arts Space - Bishopsworth Road, Bristol, BS13 7JW
Open December 28 – 10am to 4pm (community day, hot drinks, soups and sandwiches available on a pay-what-you-can basis)
Brislington Bricks - St Anne's Road, Brislington, Bristol BS4 4AB
Open December 29 – 10am to 4pm (morning meet up at 10am and lunch between 12.30pm and 2pm)
St Christopher’s Church - Hampstead Road, Brislington BS4 3HN
Open January 1 – 4pm to 6pm (refreshments, Lego, games, crafts, signposting information)
Easton and Lawrence Hill Wellspring Settlement Centre - Barton Hill Settlement, 41 - 43 Ducie Road, Bristol, BS5 0AX
Open December 28 and 29– 12pm to 2pm (café open)
Easton Leisure Centre - Thrissell Street, BS5 0SW
Open:
December 24 – 8am to 2pm
December 28 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 29 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 30 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 31 – 8am to 2pm
January 1 – CLOSED
January 2 - 6.30am to 10pm
Henbury Henbury Leisure Centre - Avonmouth Way, Henbury, Bristol BS10 7NG
Open:
December 24 – 7.30am to 2.30pm
December 28 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 29 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 30 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 31– 7.30am to 2.30pm
January 1 – CLOSED
January 2 - 6.30am to 10pm
Horfield Horfield Leisure Centre - Dorian Rd, Horfield, Bristol BS7 0XW
Open:
December 24 – 7.30am to 2pm
December 28 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 29 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 30 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 31 – 7.30am to 2pm
January 2 – CLOSED
January 1 - 6.30am to 10pm
Kingsdown Kingsdown Leisure Centre - Portland St, Bristol BS2 8HL
Open:
December 24 – 8am to 2pm
December 28 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 29 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 30 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 31 – 8am to 2pm
January 1 – CLOSED
January 2 - CLOSED
Shirehampton Port of Bristol Sports Community Hub – Nibley Rd, Shirehampton, Bristol BS11 9XW
Open every day - 9am to 10pm
December 25 - 11am to 1pm (warm space and selling drinks)
Southmead Development Trust - Greenway Centre, Doncaster Road, Bristol, BS10 5PY
Open:
December 28, 29, 30 – 8am to 5pm (centre open, café closed)
St Paul’s Community Sports Academy - Newfoundland Rd, St Paul's, Bristol BS2 9NH
Open:
December 24 – CLOSED
December 28 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 29 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 20 – 6.30am to 10pm
December 31 – CLOSED
January 1 – CLOSED 2 January - 6.30am to 10pm
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