Cabot Circus
Encyclopedia
Cabot Circus is a shopping centre
in Bristol
, England. It is adjacent to Broadmead
, a shopping district in Bristol city centre
. The Cabot Circus development area contains shops, offices, a cinema, hotel and 250 apartments. It covers a total of 139350 m² (1,499,950.9 sq ft) floor space, of which 92900 m² (999,967.3 sq ft) is retail outlets and leisure facilities. It opened in September 2008, after a ten year planning and building project costing £500 million.
The name of Cabot was chosen following a public vote taken in November 2007, and commemorates John Cabot
, an Italian explorer
who is closely associated with Bristol.
Work began on the site in September 2005,
following planning approval in December 2003.
Cabot Circus comprises three multi-level pedestrianised streets, with apartment block areas. Its focal point, The Circus, has a large glass-panelled roof. The centre won the 2008 BREEAM
Retail award for its sustainable design,
including its natural ventilation, low energy lighting and rainwater harvesting
system.
The complex was opened to shoppers on 25 September 2008.
, a Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf centre and is split into two areas, the circus itself and Quakers Friars. The Circus is divided into three streets and multiple levels. Outlets include New Look, Urban Outfitters
, Zara
, Hollister Co
, H&M
, The Disney Store and House of Fraser
. Above at the highest level are eateries and the cinema. On the opposite street is the Quakers Friars area, which houses Harvey Nichols
having been opened by Dita Von Teese
. Other outlets in the area include French Connection
, Hugo Boss
, Thomas Pink
, Lacoste and an Apple Store.
Cabot Circus is at the junction of the A4044 and A4032
, close to the end of the M32 motorway
.
The evening parking rate (5pm-7am) is charged at £1.
Drivers can also access the centre by using one of Bristol's three Park and Ride
services; Long Ashton
, Portway and Bath Road.
From September to December 2008, there was a temporary weekend park and ride scheme from Frenchay
to Cabot Circus.
, Cabot Circus can be reached by bus, ferry, taxi or on foot.
met to oppose the Broadmead development: "Is Our Community under threat from Big Business Developers?" "The Broadmead Expansion Plan, backed by the council, will mean a massive increase in traffic congestion, pollution and parking chaos."
Bristolians and Bristol-based organisations have used Bristol Indymedia to criticise the development and the impacts it will have on their city. On the day of its launch, activists hung a banner from part of the development saying "crunch the cabot credit circus", linking the opening of a multimillion pound retail development with the late 2008 economic climate and global credit crunch
. The first Saturday of its opening was marked by a zombie walk
of around 50 zombies stumbling through the mall.
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
in Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
, England. It is adjacent to Broadmead
Broadmead
Broadmead is a street in the central area of Bristol, England, which has given its name to the principal shopping district of the city.- History :The name of the street was first recorded in 1383 as Brodemede...
, a shopping district in Bristol city centre
Bristol city centre
Bristol city centre is the commercial, cultural and business centre of Bristol, England. It is the area south of the central ring road and north of the Floating Harbour, bounded north by St Pauls and Easton, east by Temple Meads and Redcliffe, and west by Clifton and Canon's Marsh...
. The Cabot Circus development area contains shops, offices, a cinema, hotel and 250 apartments. It covers a total of 139350 m² (1,499,950.9 sq ft) floor space, of which 92900 m² (999,967.3 sq ft) is retail outlets and leisure facilities. It opened in September 2008, after a ten year planning and building project costing £500 million.
History
The original chosen name 'Merchants Quarter' came under criticism due to its associations to the slave trade.The name of Cabot was chosen following a public vote taken in November 2007, and commemorates John Cabot
John Cabot
John Cabot was an Italian navigator and explorer whose 1497 discovery of parts of North America is commonly held to have been the first European encounter with the continent of North America since the Norse Vikings in the eleventh century...
, an Italian explorer
Exploration
Exploration is the act of searching or traveling around a terrain for the purpose of discovery of resources or information. Exploration occurs in all non-sessile animal species, including humans...
who is closely associated with Bristol.
Work began on the site in September 2005,
following planning approval in December 2003.
Cabot Circus comprises three multi-level pedestrianised streets, with apartment block areas. Its focal point, The Circus, has a large glass-panelled roof. The centre won the 2008 BREEAM
BREEAM
BRE Environmental Assessment Method is a voluntary measurement rating for green buildings that was established in the UK by the Building Research Establishment . Since its inception it has since grown in scope and geographically, being exported in various guises across the globe...
Retail award for its sustainable design,
including its natural ventilation, low energy lighting and rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting
Rainwater harvesting is the accumulating and storing of rainwater for reuse before it reaches the aquifer. It has been used to provide drinking water, water for livestock, water for irrigation, as well as other typical uses. Rainwater collected from the roofs of houses and local institutions can...
system.
The complex was opened to shoppers on 25 September 2008.
Retailers
Cabot Circus has over 120 shops, two department stores, several restaurants, a thirteen-screen Showcase Cinema de LuxCinema de Lux
Cinema de Lux is a chain of cinemas in the United States and the United Kingdom, owned by Showcase Cinemas, which in turn is owned by National Amusements. Cinema de Lux aims to be more upmarket and luxurious than Showcase.-History:...
, a Jungle Rumble Adventure Golf centre and is split into two areas, the circus itself and Quakers Friars. The Circus is divided into three streets and multiple levels. Outlets include New Look, Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters
Urban Outfitters, Inc. is a publicly traded American company that owns and operates five retail brands: Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Terrain, and BHLDN....
, Zara
Zara (clothing)
Zara is a Spanish clothing and accessories retailer based in Arteixo, Galicia, and founded in 1975 by Amancio Ortega and Rosalía Mera. It is the flagship chain store of the Inditex group; the fashion group also owns brands such as Massimo Dutti, Pull and Bear, Oysho, Uterqüe, Stradivarius and...
, Hollister Co
Hollister Co.
Hollister Co., sometimes advertised as Hollister or HCo., is an American lifestyle brand by Abercrombie & Fitch Co. The concept was originally designed to attract consumers aged 14–18 through its SoCal-inspired image and casual wear. Goods are available in-store and through the company's online store...
, H&M
H&M
H & M Hennes & Mauritz AB is a Swedish retail-clothing company, known for its fast-fashion clothing offerings for women, men, teenagers and children....
, The Disney Store and House of Fraser
House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second...
. Above at the highest level are eateries and the cinema. On the opposite street is the Quakers Friars area, which houses Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols
Harvey Nichols, founded in 1813, is an upmarket department store chain. Its original store is in London. Founded in 1813 as a linen shop, it sells many international brands of clothing for women and men, fashion accessories, beauty products, wine and food...
having been opened by Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese
Dita Von Teese is an American burlesque dancer, model, costume designer, author and actress.-Early life:...
. Other outlets in the area include French Connection
French Connection (clothing)
French Connection is a retailer and wholesaler of fashion clothing and accessories. Founded in 1972 by Stephen Marks it is based in London, is listed on the London Stock Exchange and operates globally....
, Hugo Boss
Hugo Boss
Hugo Ferdinand Boss was the founder of clothing company Hugo Boss.-Early life:Boss was born in Metzingen, Germany. After completing his apprenticeship and one year of employment, he founded his own company in Metzingen in 1923.-Support of Nazism:Boss joined the Nazi Party in 1931, two years before...
, Thomas Pink
Thomas Pink
Thomas Pink is a retail clothing business started in London in 1984, by three Irish brothers James, Peter and John Mullen. The company was named for an 18th century London tailor who was known for making much sought-after red hunting jackets....
, Lacoste and an Apple Store.
Transport
A4032 road
The A4032 road - also known as the Newfoundland Way - is a road within Bristol that starts at the end of the M32, as a trunk road and terminates in a junction with the A4044 at the edge of Bristol city centre.-See also:* British road numbering scheme...
, close to the end of the M32 motorway
M32 motorway
The M32 is a motorway in South Gloucestershire and Bristol, England. It provides a link from Bristol city centre to the M4 and is part of the Bristol Parkway. At about , it is one of Britain's shortest motorways...
.
Private vehicles
Cabot Circus has 2,500 car parking spaces, with disabled and "parent and toddler bays, plus electric car bays equipped with chargers. Prices are biased towards short-stay shoppers—£1 an hour to park Mondays to Saturdays (over 7 hours £16) and £2 to park all day on a Sunday.The evening parking rate (5pm-7am) is charged at £1.
Drivers can also access the centre by using one of Bristol's three Park and Ride
Park and ride
Park and ride facilities are car parks with connections to public transport that allow commuters and other people wishing to travel into city centres to leave their vehicles and transfer to a bus, rail system , or carpool for the rest of their trip...
services; Long Ashton
Long Ashton
Long Ashton is a village and civil parish in Somerset, England. It falls within the Unitary Authority of North Somerset, a few miles south west of the city of Bristol. The parish has a population of 4,981...
, Portway and Bath Road.
From September to December 2008, there was a temporary weekend park and ride scheme from Frenchay
Frenchay
Frenchay is a suburb of Bristol, England, to the north east of the city, but located mainly in South Gloucestershire and the Civil Parish of Winterbourne....
to Cabot Circus.
Public transport
Bus stops for services from all parts of the city and region are within walking distance. From Temple Meads railway stationBristol Temple Meads railway station
Bristol Temple Meads railway station is the oldest and largest railway station in Bristol, England. It is an important transport hub for public transport in Bristol, with bus services to various parts of the city and surrounding districts, and a ferry service to the city centre in addition to the...
, Cabot Circus can be reached by bus, ferry, taxi or on foot.
Local community response
In 2002, local newsletter The Bristolian reported, "Last Thursday residents of St PaulsSt Pauls, Bristol
St Pauls is an inner suburb of Bristol, England, situated just north east of the city centre and west of the M32. It is bounded by the A38, the B4051 and the A4032 roads...
met to oppose the Broadmead development: "Is Our Community under threat from Big Business Developers?" "The Broadmead Expansion Plan, backed by the council, will mean a massive increase in traffic congestion, pollution and parking chaos."
Bristolians and Bristol-based organisations have used Bristol Indymedia to criticise the development and the impacts it will have on their city. On the day of its launch, activists hung a banner from part of the development saying "crunch the cabot credit circus", linking the opening of a multimillion pound retail development with the late 2008 economic climate and global credit crunch
Credit crunch
A credit crunch is a reduction in the general availability of loans or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. A credit crunch generally involves a reduction in the availability of credit independent of a rise in official interest rates...
. The first Saturday of its opening was marked by a zombie walk
Zombie Walk
A zombie walk is an organized public gathering of people who dress up in zombie costumes...
of around 50 zombies stumbling through the mall.