Business is Booming
29 April 2008
BUSINESSES BOOMING AT HARBOURSIDE
Businesses that have moved into Bristol's Harbourside area are reporting a major increase in trade as the development continues to take shape creating a base for 4,000 jobs.
The £350 million project being carried out by Crest Nicholson Regeneration on 16 acres of prime waterside land in the centre of Bristol includes headquarter offices for HBOS with other businesses alongside thriving.
• Fitness First gym has secured 2,700 members in its first year of operation.
• The Gala Casino has grown one of the busiest in the country with thousands of people visiting it each week.
• Ibis Hotel running at very high occupancies both mid week and week end with all 182 rooms frequently full.
• Marks & Spencer Simply Food Store, which celebrates its second anniversary on May 5 this year has seen a huge increase in customers in the last six months.
With Zen, a new Chinese Restaurant opening this month; The Living Room piano bar due to open its 14th venue at Harbourside this year and investment advisers Hargreaves Lansdown due to move their headquarters to new offices under construction at Harbourside the area is set for further boosts.
Peter Wright, duty manager at Marks & Spencer Simply Food store said: “The store is doing really well and we have linked up with our neighbours at Lloyds TSB and HBOS to carry out charity work and we are helping the environment by charging for carrier bags and donating the money to Groundwork.
“We have seen our regular customer base rise significantly in recent months as people cotton on to the fact that we sell a wide range of food as well as clothing and that we are much more than just a convenience store.”
Karen Soejberg, general manager of the Ibis Hotel said: “We are now encouraging people to book as early as possible as we're running high occupancies and are frequently full on week days.
“Because of our French connection we obviously attract plenty of visitors from France but demand from the UK and other parts of the world is also very strong. During the week we have business people from all over Britain and Europe and at weekends we often have groups of young people staying because we are so close to the centre of Bristol and its fabulous nightlife.
“This is a very busy Ibis hotel and we are looking forward to the summer when we can make the most of the Harbourside location by opening the terrace and all doors to our restaurant “CAFÉ” to welcome our guests and of course the local people.”
Rob Black, Manager of Bristol Harbourside Casino said: “Within a year of opening the Gala Casino at Harbourside became the busiest casino in Gala and one of the busiest in the country. We are employing around 160 people and it is a fabulous facility in the heart of the city.
“We have the biggest poker room in the South West with its 140 seats often filled. We believe we are the first casino in the country to switch to 24 hour opening with our tables and restaurant open at all times.”
Steve Moore, manager at Fitness First said that membership had now reached 2,700 with many people joining in the first month of 2008 to try to shake off the Christmas excess pounds.
He said: “Because membership here also enables people to use our gyms at Longwell Green and Cribbs Causeway we have many members that use this for their pre-work workout and then go to one of the other gyms in the evening. We have others who train with us and at Fitness First gyms in London.
“We have over 100 cardio vascular stations and a huge free weights area. With fantastic views over the Harbourside and right in the centre of the city this is an exciting place for people to get fit.”
Crest Nicholson Regeneration has launched a major new marketing initiative entitled “Destination Harbourside” aimed at bringing more customers to the area for eating out and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.
ENDS 12 March 2008
Issued on behalf of Crest Nicholson Regneration by Martin Powell Communications. For further information contact Martin Powell (01275) 394400.