A BS3 Father's Day: Storysmith Books

This week we’re bringing you the best picks for Father’s Day gifts in BS3! We’ll take you through some of each trader’s top items to make shopping for Dad a breeze.

Storysmith Books’ top Father’s Day gifts!

Open now at 49 North Street, Storysmith is our favourite spot to find our next favourite read. This year, the team at Storysmith’s have a gift for every Dad out there and even the little ones ready for the next Daddy-baby storytime.

My Dad Used to Be So Cool by Keith Negley

Did your dad used to be cool? Did he really play in a band, get a tattoo and have a wild time? He seems so normal now! This bold and beautiful picture book is a wistful look at the time before your dad became a dad, and shows that maybe he is still a tiny bit cool, just in a different way.

Humankind: A Hopeful History by Rutger Bregman

A hopeful perspective is one that we could all benefit from right now. This entertaining and intrinsically optimistic book looks into the history of human kindness; covering examples as diverse as the Blitz, a Siberian Fox farm and the real-life Lord of the Flies, Bregman shows that faith in human kindness can create real and positive change in the world. 

Broken Greek by Pete Paphides

This warm and deeply dad-ish memoir of collecting records and growing up as the sensitive son of chip shop owners in Birmingham is as comforting as it is painfully real. Pete Paphides, now a professional appraiser of the records he used to obsessively hunt down, shows just how his obsession with pop music started, writing with wit and invention on everything from Abba to Orange Juice and the family life they sountracked.

Super Sourdough by Michelle Eshkeri

A sourdough starter is the ultimate lock-down gold, and these delicious recipes will have the neighbours queuing outside for freshly baked brioche. With techniques for folding, shaping, scoring and baking, your dad will be king of the sourdough loaf in no time, and you will be the lucky benefactor. Sneaky! 

The Lost Book of Adventure by Unknown Adventurer 

On an expedition to the Amazon, the tattered pages of a survival guide from an unknown adventurer were found, and these have been lovingly put together in The Lost Book of Adventure for wild and intrepid voyagers to enjoy. Learn how to build a wilderness shelter, create your own raft, make a toothbrush out of a twig and other important survival skills. REMEMBER: be good, be adventurous... and look after your parents.

To take one of these gifts home, visit the team 10-4 Tuesday-Saturday or visit them online at www.storysmithbooks.com

A BS3 Father's Day: Upfest Gallery

This week we’re bringing you the best picks for Father’s Day gifts in BS3! We’ll take you through some of each trader’s top items to make shopping for Dad a breeze.

Upfest Gallery’s top gifts for Dad!

Now open from 10 am each day at 198 North Street, Upfest recommends gifts that will re-kindle Dad’s creativity this year.

An Upfest sketchbook and Posca Paint Pens to create his next masterpiece or go one step further with a selection of colourful Spraypaint.

If he’d rather wear his art then choose from a wide range of T-shirts including Drippy Bristol by Oli-T and if you’re loving Oli-T’s style then pair it up with the 'We Are Family' mug in another of his classic styles. 

Finally, if it’s creative inspiration he’s after, visit Upfest’s book section where among others you can delve into Bristol's music history and the artwork that adorned flyers with Art & Sound of the Bristol Underground by Chris Burton & Gary Thompson.

With the largest range of Urban artwork in the South West there is sure to be something for your amazing dad. Pop on in and say hi, the team are always on hand to help you find the perfect gift!

You can shop Upfest online for delivery across the UK at www.upfest.co.uk

BS3 Easter Gift Guide

Easter is coming up this weekend and BS3 traders have everything you need to make it a great one! Our Easter Gift Guide includes some of our favourites from across BS3 with some ideas to fill the Easter hampers of kids and adults alike! 

VX Bristol

Salted Caramel Easter Eggs: What’s Easter without chocolate eggs?! Hide these around the house for the perfect egg hunt or save them all for yourself! 

Order online to collect in store (123 East Street, BS3 4ER)

Mon Pote

Everybody’s Welcome by Patricia Hegarty: This heartwarming book tells the story of a forest of friends building a big home for everyone to live and teaches children the importance of lending a helping hand to neighbours, family, friends and strangers. 

Free local delivery in BS3 and free shipping over £60 for further afield.

Toyville 

Don’t Get Got: A fun family game! Each player gets six secret mission to pull off, first to three wins! This is a game that you play alongside whatever else you’re doing, always looking for sneaky ways to get them before they get you! 

Free local delivery in BS3

Upfest

Pack of Posca Paint Pens: Get creating with a pack of vibrant paint pens from Posca! These can be used on any material for an incredible finish every time.

Free local delivery in BS3

Zero Green

Mutiny Shaving Box Sets: Everything you need to make the switch to a plastic-free shaving routine. These kit come with a traditional razor, a package of blades and a deliciously smelling Orange & Lavender Shave Bar, also included in the large shaving kit is a shave brush to whip up that foamy lather!

Click and Collect & local delivery via Good Sixty

KASK

Wine delivered to your door: A gift for the adults in the room, KASK has a changing delivery menu every week. Not sure what you’re looking for? Give them a message on Instagram (@kaskwine) to chat through your options. 

Free local delivery in BS3

Still looking for a gift for someone who’s just too hard to buy for or from a shop that’s currently not open due to the coronavirus crisis? Many BS3 businesses are offering vouchers to be bought now and use at a later date, for a full list click here!

#ShopBS3 later with gift vouchers to your favourite shops!

With many BS3 shops closing in the last couple of weeks, we’ve had a lot of questions asking how to support our favourite shops while their doors are closed. The answer there is Gift Vouchers! Buy them or gift them now and look forward to a visit when everything opens back up again.

Here is a list of businesses in BS3 offering gift vouchers and how to buy them now!

Food & Drink

FLIP Vegan Cafe & Deli: FLIP’s incredible vegan shop and deli are currently still open for takeaway and delivery (via JustEat and Good Sixty) and you can purchase a gift voucher to use later through Wriggle’s Indie Kitty scheme to use on a lovely lunch in their sun-drenched cafe when their indoor seating re-opens.

KASK Wine: We’re all dreaming of a night with our friends in KASK’s beautiful space over a (few) bottles of wine and some incredible cheese aren’t we?? Purchase a voucher through their website and start planning that perfect evening. KASK is also running a delivery scheme throughout Bristol, visit them on Instagram for updated menus and send them a DM to order.

The Toastroom: Incredible toasts and light bites on East Street have been put on hold for a while and whilst takeaway will resume soon, you can purchase a voucher by phoning 0787 500 9212, they’ll even deliver it by foot in BS3 (by post for further afield)! The lovely team at The Toastroom are also delivering provision packs for those in self-isolation full of all your home essentials, order from 11 am-2 pm for next day delivery.

Albatross Cafe: The beautiful cafe is closed for now but vouchers can be purchased online to use another time on food or any products in-store.

Bristol Beer Factory: With the taproom and online shop closed for the time being, purchase a voucher for your next delicious pint from Wriggle’s Indie Kitty.

The Burger Joint: Currently closed for takeaway and delivery, plan your next burger night with vouchers available on Wriggle’s Indie Kitty.

Earthcake: The cafe is closed to eat in or takeaway and vouchers can be purchased online. However, you can still order cakes for any special occasion you have coming up with pickup available from the door Thursday-Saturday from 10-11 am.

Oowee Diner: Who isn’t missing those deliciously dirty burgers and fries from Oowee?? While they’re closed for both takeaway and delivery, support them now by purchasing a voucher online.

Souk Kitchen: Purchase a voucher through Souk Kitchen’s website.

Shake Express: You can quench your milkshake cravings by ordering over the phone for takeaway or for delivery via JustEat. Vouchers can be purchased by emailing chris@shakeexpress.co.uk for delivery by post.

The Malago: Vouchers are available to be sent by post, email eatout@themalago.club to purchase via bank transfer.

VX Bristol: Still open for groceries, takeaway coffee and a limited hot food menu, you can also purchase a voucher by emailing shop@vxbristol.com.

Zero Green: The amazing North Street zero waste shop is open for pick up and delivery via Good Sixty. To purchase a voucher, email orders@zerogreenbristol.co.uk to be sent an electronic copy.

Kids, Craft and Gifts

Friendly Records: Order your next favourite record online now or purchase a voucher to be redeemed in-store as soon as this incredible vinyl shop re-opens!

Ivory Flowers: Vouchers are available online for use in-store on your next beautiful bouquet of flowers.

Mon Pote: The incredible team at Mon Pote are still processing online orders and vouchers can be purchased to use instore later or to gift for an upcoming celebration.

Rhubarb Jumble: Shop the amazing vintage shop’s online Etsy shop or purchase a voucher via DM on Instagram to be used in-store at a later date.

Storysmith Books: Online ordering is currently suspended but you can purchase a voucher online for your next epic read.

Taunton Leisure: Their online store is up and running for delivery by post but should you need their expert advice in-store, you can purchase a voucher to use later!

Toyville: This incredible team is still delivering online order locally in BS3, you can DM them on Instagram for recommendations and support or purchase a voucher online to visit them again in-store soon.

Trylla: Purchase a voucher to be used in-store, online or to redeem for an upcoming Clay Club when classes resume!

Upfest: Currently the Upfest Gallery on North Street is closed. They are operating an incredible online shop filled with art supplies and work by incredible street artists from around the world. You can also purchase a voucher to use in-store when the gallery re-opens by emailing gallery@upfest.co.uk.

Zara’s Chocolates: Purchase a voucher online to use on your next hot chocolate or box of chocolates in-store soon!

Health, Hair and Beauty

Essential Maintenance: E-mail essentialmaintemance1@outlook.com to order an at-home mini treatment kit or purchase a voucher online to use on any treatment when the salon re-opens!

Fuchsia Beauty: Vouchers are available online to use on any treatment when the salon re-opens. You can also order gel polish removal kits for delivery by phoning 0781 258 8097.

Olive Tree Beauty: Phone or text 0771 029 9103 to purchase a voucher that will be delivered by post.

The Beauty Lounge: Vouchers for future treatments are available to purchase by emailing beautyloungebs3@aol.co.uk

To keep up to date on BS3 businesses and what delivery options are available, please visit our Bedminster BID Directory which is being updated daily.

9th March - Whats On This Week?

We have picked out some of the events on in Bedminster this week and popped them all into one place for you…. If you have an event coming up, make sure you send it in!

Monday 9th - Open Mic Night - Hen & Chicken, 20:00 - 23:30 

The Hen and Chicken run an open mic night on the second Monday of every month, in a custom-built music room - 'The Chicken Shed'  and it is clucking awesome! 

With top quality inbuilt PA and hosted by a brood of local musicians for this special opening night: James Slater (Iron and Oak/ Appalachia), Elliot Hall and Sarah Larkham (Larkham and Hall / Coyote Blue) and with soundman Stu from Touch PA. Contact them to pre-book your slot! 

Wednesday 11th - Breathe Your Purpose - Trika Yoya, 14:00 - 15:30

Who are you really? Why are you here? What is your purpose and how do you know when you're living it? If we want to live a colourful, vibrant, creative life, these are the questions we must all ask of our soul. But the true answers are almost impossible to arrive at through our thinking-mind because its job is to keep us safe, logical and certain.

To find, feel and know our truth, we must journey to a different space.

Breath is the bridge to that space. By using the dynamic and conscious breathing technique that Jo will share, we will break out of the normal physiology and perspective, free up some old emotional debris and arrive into the blissful state of nothingness - the place that can take years for dedicated meditators to reach.

https://clients.mindbodyonline.com/ASP/main_enroll.asp?studioid=495954&tg=27&vt=33&lvl=&stype=-104&view=day&trn=100000143&page=&catid=&prodid=&date=03%2f11%2f20&classid=0&prodGroupId=&sSU=&optForwardingLink=&qParam=&justloggedin=&nLgIn=&pMode=0&loc=1

Saturday 14th - Barn Dance - St Aldhelm’s Church, 19:30 - 22:30

Get your dancing shoes on! The annual barn dance returns to St Aldems Church this Saturday, with music from the Bridgwater Country Dance Band! Tickets cost £8 adult, £6 children - with prices including dinner! Visit Lion Stores on North Street to buy your ticket now! 

Saturday 14th - Blues at the Old Bookshop, 16:00 - Late

Get rockin at the Old Bookshop as they prepare for some uptempo rocking blues this Saturday! Free admission, open from 4 pm.

Bedminster's Vegan Spots

This January, Bedminster has led the way when it comes to vegan alternatives, with an ever-growing number of budding plant-based businesses in BS3.

With over 250,000 registrations for veganuary this year, participant numbers have reached a record high and Bedminster continues to stand strong as the place to be when looking for those vegan alternatives. 

In 2015, Bedminster became home to the first vegan cafe in Bristol; VX Junk Food and from there, things have only gotten bigger and better.

BS3 now boasts an enviable array of plant-based businesses, ranging from cafes, food and homewares and even hair salons. As it stands there are seven fully vegan businesses South of the river to help you continue on this year:

1. Millers Hair - Having been situated in Bedminster for over 10 years now, Millers Hair is situated in East Street and specialises in vegan and organic hair products, meaning there are no ppd’s or anomina’s in any of the products that they use. They strongly believe in recycling, therefore, all packaging is made from recycled materials and the interior is fitted completely with recycled wood. The team are currently looking into ways they can harvest the rainwater to use in the basins and toilets!  You can visit them at 91 East St.

2. FLIP - It’s ok to FLIP! All food is freshly prepared on-site using quality, sustainably sourced ingredients. The cafe is committed to supporting the sustainability agenda and actively seeks solutions to reducing waste and minimising the impact on the environment. The main focus at Flip is on the deli counter which includes a vegan cheese counter as well as a range of dishes, sauces and salads that can be eaten in the cafe or taken home. Alongside the deli, there is a daily chef menu offering a main meal, brunches, toasties and sandwiches.  You can visit them at 81 North St. 

3. Earthcake - Earthcake is a 100% vegan independent cafe/cake shop offering a big range of plant-based cakes with gluten-free options and also some savouries such as vegan sausage rolls and pasties. Their main speciality is the completely vegan afternoon tea, which includes scones, cakes, finger sandwiches and unlimited hot drinks.  You can visit them at 71 North St. 

4. VX Junk Food - Vx Bristol is a vegan junk food coffee shop and vegan grocery shop based in East Street. They opened our doors in December 2015, 4 years ago and were the very first vegan cafe in Bristol! Specializing in comfort food, they strive to give customers a veganised version of the type of food we all grew up loving like Mac and cheese, burgers, steak fries, wagon wheel, peanut butter cups etc. They also offer a large range of vegan patisserie including cakes, doughnuts, cookies, eclairs and brownies, as well as a  grocery section where they offer a big selection of vegan meat, cheese, chocolatey treats selected from vegan independent artisan businesses.  You can visit them at 123 East St.

5. Essential Maintenance - Essential Maintenance opened in Bedminster 5 years ago, and is the only unisex, beauty & grooming studio in Bristol that offers treatments using only quality vegan and sustainable products. They focus on treatments that give the lowest waste footprint, including their fair-trade, 100% biodegradable Sugaring Hair Removal, to the paper stemmed cotton buds. They want to take care of you, and the environment!  You can visit them at 13 East Street. 

6. Zero Green - Zero Green is a zero-waste shop specialising in everything from food to toiletries, promoting the different ways individuals can strive for a zero-waste lifestyle. You can take along your container and fill up on cereals, pasta, nuts, herbs, snacks and more without adding to the plastic problem.  You can visit them at 80 North St.

7. James B Hair - James B Hair is a cruelty-free, vegan hair salon, that is constantly striving to improve their sustainability. Being a gender-neutral, judgement-free salon, James and team provide a safe, sustainable place for all. You can read all about their sustainability here: https://jamesbhair.com/blog/the-sustainable-hair-salon.  You can visit them at 167-169 East St.

Face of the High Street: James - JamesB Hair

James believes in sustainability, creating a community and that hair and beauty should be a service for yourself and not for others. His brand new salon at the top East Street combines all of those things into a beautifully designed haven of self care.

James first opened JamesB Hair on West Street in March 2017 after several years of renting a chair in various salons in Bedminster. Since then, his team has grown and relocated to a new space on East Street that has quickly become your one-stop shop for beauty and wellness.

When asked what his favourite part of Bedminster was he simply said: “Bedminster is Bristol.” He’ll always send friends who are visiting to Bedminster to give them a real idea of the city, its people and its community spirit.

JamesB Hair is a sustainable salon. The shower hoses use 60% less water than conventional salon hoses and every piece of equipment was bought second hand. James is working closely with his suppliers to find methods to up-cycle things like the foil used for highlights and the hair that is swept off the floor each day is used by his partner in their garden at home, an excellent and natural pest deterrent he says. The salon recycles everything that it can and only throws out one bag of rubbish per month.

James has big plans for the future, including adding a ‘hair lab’ that will tackle issues such as hair loss, scalp issues and other challenges people are faced with. All services that James and his team provide exist to help people feel better about themselves and lead to a better quality of life.

Come in and meet the team at JamesB Hair, sit around the table while your hair is being coloured and chat with other clients and get your hair washed in the amazing room where sounds and lights take your through an immersive and relaxing experience. The salon is open Monday-Saturday 10.00am-6.00pm.

FACE OF THE HIGH STREET: Rebecca - Essential Maintenance

Essential Maintenance is a shining example of a thriving Bedminster business, having gone from strength to strength since starting in 2015 and that is all down to owner and founder, Rebecca.

Rebecca started her beauty business five years ago when she hung up her teaching hat and decided to pursue something new. Essential Maintenance was a small home-run venture that began in the comfort of her home, before she moved to Windmill Hill City Farm 2 years ago and now in 2020 Essential Maintenance has had an exciting relocation to East Street.

With a background in mental health support, Rebecca wanted to create a safe, inclusive space that clients could come and feel at ease whilst receiving beauty treatments, and five years ago, she had her eyes opened to the world of beauty. 

With a strong focus on sustainability, Rebecca makes sure all her products are cruelty free and in turn has established her business as completely vegan, managing her waste footprint wherever possible. 

Taking inspiration from Boston Tea Party’s movement of removing takeaway cups, Rebecca began to wonder what she could do to take the plunge and start taking action. 

Being one of the first businesses in Bristol to introduce sugaring treatment, Essential Maintenance is leading the way when it comes to zero-waste treatments. Sugaring is a completely biodegradable alternative to waxing and is just one example of the small changes that can be made to promote a more environmentally friendly practice. 

You can visit Rebecca at Essential Maintenance at 13 East Street or visit their website http://essentialmaintenancebeauty.co.uk/. 

FACE OF THE HIGH STREET: Chris Cierpik - Rare Butchers

‘Rare Butchers’ has been owned by Chris Cierpik since January 2010. Previously, the shop was owned

and run by Bob Wherlock for many years.

‘Rare’ is run by 2 highly experienced butchers: Chris himself and his colleague, Mr Juraj Suhajda.

Chris has spent over 30 years in the meat trade, having trained at Bristol Meat Company. He is

passionate about food and this is reflected in the wide array of free range, locally sourced products

sold in the shop. Juraj completed a 5 year apprenticeship in his native Slovakia to become a master

butcher and Pawel re-trained at ‘Rare’ as a butcher under the guidance of Chris and Juraj, having

previously worked as a chef. We also have a 16 year old apprentice enrolled through a programme

at Bridgwater College as well as 2 front of house staff.

Chris and the team at ‘Rare’ are always striving to serve our local, diverse residents of Bedminster

and further afield with good quality, affordably priced products matched to our customers’ needs

and budgets.

What we appreciate about Bedminster and our North Street location is our wide range of customers

in terms of age, nationality and ethnicity who visit the shop. So many of our local customers share

our enthusiasm for ethically sourced products. North Street has a vibrancy and ‘buzz’, particularly on

a Saturday. We see many customers chatting with neighbours and friends as they carry out their

shopping and it is a pleasure to serve our friendly community. We are surrounded by other

independent retail outlets in our street offering good quality fruit and vegetables, bread, fish and deli

products. This makes Bedminster a place to buy fresh goods as we have in our street a genuine

alternative to supermarket shopping for everyday food products.

Thank you to the team at Rare for writing this piece about the butchers that we all know and love! You can visit the team at Rare at 250 North Street.

FACE OF THE HIGH STREET: Darren - East Street Fruit Market

Darren is the voice of Bedminster and one of our best loved characters, and a face we automatically associate with one of our longest standing businesses - the East Street Fruit Market. 

Having opened 27 years ago, Darren has been there from the start and has grown to be a staple in the East Street community. We are all enticed by his call to market that we now distinctively recognise and allowed the business to stand strong for almost three decades. 

Darren loves Bedminster and the community that he has grown to know, with loyal, weekly customers returning time and time again to purchase local produce. 

Now with a team of 10 and the loyalty of customers, we can see their growth reflected in their recent venture into online orders. You can visit their facebook page @eaststreetfruitmarket to place your order - or visit them Monday - Friday 06:00- 17:30 or Saturday 06:00- 17:00. 

They are now stocking Christmas trees, perfect this festive season!

FACE OF THE HIGH STREET: Braam - Taunton Leisure

Twenty- five years ago Taunton Leisure opened in Bedminster, and ten years ago, Braam spotted an advert in the window and stepped into the role he was made for.  

Taunton Leisure is an outdoor specialist store made for people like Braam who love the outdoors. If you are looking to pursue any outdoor activity, Taunton Leisure is the place to go, stocking equipment for camping, climbing, hiking, trekking - just to name a few.

Having lived in Bristol before he took on this role, Braam had started to fall out of love with Bristol before moving to Bedminster. He loves the colourfulness and character that fills the street everyday and the faces that he has come to know in the community. 

Taunton Leisure has been running for over 40 years and is a small family-run chain, with three stores throughout the South West. Braam has been able to get to know the business and loves that he can explore his passion within this community. 

His personal passions are camping, hiking and trail running, so you can see why his fit for this role is perfect. The shelves are lined with everything you need for any outdoor pursuit and whilst we are sat talking, Braam is able to easily offer advice on any of the outdoor questions that arise. 

You can visit Braam and team at Taunton Leisure at 38 - 42 East Street, Monday - Saturday 9:00 - 17:30, Thursday 9:00 - 19:00 and Sunday 10:30- 16:30 or at @taunton_lesuire_bristol or https://www.tauntonleisure.com/our-stores/bristol-store-page/

FACE OF THE HIGH STREET: Chitra - Independent Design Collective

At 10 years old, Chitra dreamed up and modeled her shop inside a shoe box and now her dream has become a reality, as the Independent Design Collective has stood strong on North Street for 2 ½ years.  

Six years ago, Chitra relocated from London to Bristol and found herself drawn to Bedminster and specifically North Street each time they set out house hunting. 

Now, having six years of Bedminster under her belt, Chitra loves the sense of community she gets from both customers and traders in the area. Sharing knowledge and experiences with others has allowed friendships to form and has contributed towards the growth of the community we all know and love in North Street. 

Having started at the Tobacco Factory and Harbourside Markets, Chitra has always enjoyed the sense of community that comes from people working to support each other and that is why it has continued to be an important factor in the ethos of IDC. 

At these markets, Chitra found herself surrounded by talented local artists and traders whose products she now stocks and IDC has become home to a range of Bristol’s best with over 40 local Bristol artists contributing to stock, if you are looking for candles or cards, jewellery or frames - IDC is full of hidden gems that are perfect this Christmas!

You can visit the Independent Design Collective at 76 North Street or at @independentdesigncollective on socials! 

FACE OF THE HIGH STREET: Derek - Lion Stores

So… how to describe Lion Stores.

To the un-initiated it may seem a little random, some may even say slightly chaotic and to certain extent they may be right. However, beneath this perceived chaos is Derek Knapman; a man who knows the exact whereabouts every nook and cranny of this South Bristol institution.

To use a film analogy, Lion Stores is a little bit like Olivanders from Harry Potter… that is if Olivander didn’t just sell wands but nuts, bolts, paraffin lanterns, 35mm film, brooms, garden gnomes and pretty much anything else you can think of!

Lion Stores is quite literally packed from floor to ceiling with all manner of items, making Derek the best person to know when you’re in a tight spot. This has, in turn, given Derek the highly appropriate and much deserved accolade of Bedminster’s fourth emergency service.

This accolade hasn’t been laid at Derek’s feet lightly, in his own words knowledge is power, and this is a man with some knowledge!

It’s a strange other worldly knowledge which Derek possesses, a kind of savant ability to be able to come up with a fix for pretty much anything.  Just go and see Derek with a problem; perhaps your Christmas lights aren’t working properly, you’ve got a leaky tap that just keeps persisting, or you’re after something to make sure the Turkey won’t dry out on Christmas day…  you can be certain Derek will have a solution!

The tale of Lion Stores goes back over 180 years, when it first served the area as an ironmongers. However, the Lion Stores we know and love today got its start in 1972, when Derek’s father purchased the shop after being made redundant from Imperial Tobacco. The 70’s was a different time here and Derek, despite only being a child, can vividly remember the boarding up windows of the high street.

We couldn’t really imagine North Street without Derek, as it’s these kinds of invaluable individuals and stores that are of huge benefit to local communities.

So this Christmas if you’re in a pickle and looking for some Brillo pads, a turkey baster, batteries and some self-tapping screws and a Christmas tree… then you need to go and see Derek!

You can find Lion Stores at 219 North Street, BS3 1JJ

Lion Stores: https://www.facebook.com/lionstores

Tel: 0117 966 7233