Broadmead facts for kids
Broadmead is a famous street in the heart of Bristol, England. It's also the name for Bristol's main shopping area. It's part of the bigger Bristol Shopping Quarter.
Broadmead: A Shopping Hub
Broadmead's Past
The name Broadmead was first used in 1383. It might mean "broad meadow." Or it could refer to a special type of woollen cloth. This cloth was only made in Bristol.
This area was just north of Bristol's old city walls. Around 1227, a Dominican priory was built here. It was called Blackfriars. Later, in 1749, a Quaker meeting house was built. It's now known as Quakers Friars.
In 1739, John Wesley built his Methodist chapel here. It's called the New Room. Shops also started to appear in the area. In the 1700s, a covered arcade was built. It connected Horsefair and Broadmead. This arcade is still there today.
During World War II, Bristol's old shopping area was badly damaged. This was during the Bristol Blitz. So, leaders decided to rebuild Broadmead. They wanted it to be the city's main shopping district. Rebuilding started in 1950. The street was made longer. Many buildings from the 1950s were built. They were practical and useful.
In the 1980s, some of these buildings were replaced. This made way for The Galleries shopping centre. It's a large, covered shopping area. Broadmead and nearby streets became pedestrian-only. This means only people can walk there, not cars.
Broadmead Now
Broadmead has been updated over the years. A big project finished around 2010. The shopping area grew even more. A new shopping centre, Cabot Circus, opened in 2008. It's a very modern place to shop.
In 2005, a special group was formed for Broadmead. It's called a business improvement district (BID). This group helps improve the area. Their current plan goes until 2028.
Some big shops have closed recently. In 2021, Debenhams closed its doors. The Marks & Spencer branch also closed in 2022. But Broadmead remains a key shopping spot.
Getting Around Broadmead
Broadmead is easy to reach by public transport. Many bus services stop here. It's right next to Bristol bus station. Bristol Temple Meads station is also nearby. It's about half a mile to the south-east.
