Old Market Bristol

May is Local History month, so to celebrate we’ve been looking back at our heritage project, Vice and Virtue, that documented the rich history of Old Market in East Bristol, where The Trinity Centre calls home.

Early History

Old Market is an ancient marketplace which once stood outside the walls of the Old City and served as a main thoroughfare for goods arriving from London into Bristol.

The area contains some of Bristol’s oldest buildings, with over 60 listed buildings including the Methodist Central Hall, The Palace Hotel, and – of course – Holy Trinity Church, aka The Trinity Centre.

Following the demolition of Bristol Castle in 1656, the area was redeveloped and stone from the castle is said to have been used to repave Old Market Street, with many of the original 17th century building frontages remaining to this day.

Old Market Street was a thriving centre for trade in meat and vegetables, as well as being home to an assortment of small industries specialising in the production of farming utensils, as well as several brewers, maltsters, and public houses.

Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution radically transformed Old Market, with major new businesses attracting workers from across the South West. New opportunities for employment led to East Bristol’s rapid urbanisation during this period. By 1881, the population of St Phillips rose from approximately 8,000 in 1801 to 50,000.

Religion was seen as a major civilising force that followed rapid urbanisation, and as such, many churches were built in these expanding urban areas. One such church was Holy Trinity Church, now The Trinity Centre, which was built between 1829 and 1832 by Thomas Rickman and Henry Hutchinson, two architects from Birmingham and seated 1,500 people.

The new railway added to the hustle and bustle of Old Market. Traffic increased significantly when an electric tramway was introduced in 1876. Unsurprisingly, the street market struggled to coexist with the tram network, and the market ceased to operate during the 19th century, which signalled the start of rapid change in the area.

The Golden Years, 1900-1939

Old Market Street, with its transport links, entertainment centres and range of shops, was an important and vibrant part of Bristol. The first 30 years of the 20th century were marked by a series of bold new development, including The King’s Cinema, The Methodist Central Hall and The Empire Theatre, catering to a new appetite for culture and the arts. While the traditional street market from which Old Market gets its name had faded out during this period, in its place came a range of new stores and retail businesses.

Old Market was part of the ‘golden mile’ of streets that stretched from Lawrence Hill to the City Centre, with a diverse offering of shops attracting visitors from far and wide.

Decline and Rejuvenation

Bristol breathed a sigh of relief after the Second World War, in which the city’s Historic City Centre was decimated during the Bristol Blitz, with Castle and Vine Street being flattened by bombings. However, across the city, including in Old Market, life did not return to normal immediately, with essential food items subject to rationing until 1954.

After the Second World War, Old Market had become increasingly isolated and sidelined. Now Castle Street was no more, Old Market stood on the other side of a bomb site which many Bristolians feared to cross. The electric trams ceased operation in 1941, and by the 1950s, St Philips Station was closed to passengers, further isolating the area.

The bombing of Bristol’s historic centre led to new approaches to housing, in particular high-rise flats of the 1950s, which dramatically changed the face of St Jude’s and Old Market. Old Market also had to compete with the newly built Broadmead shopping centre. The development of the ring road and roundabout as part of the 1966 Development Plan further isolated Old Market from the rest of Central Bristol. Within a dozen years, the ‘high street’ atmosphere of Old Market had all but disappeared, with a dramatic decrease in footfall in the area.

However, the idea that Old Market went into terminal decline after the Ring Road masks a more complex picture. Old Market’s isolation opened a space in which new cultures and subcultures emerged. Since then, Old Market has becoming a bustling centre of nightlife and culture, becoming a home for Bristol’s LGBTQ+ community, alongside a new and diverse offering of restaurants, bars and clubs. With one of the fastest growing populations in Bristol, Old Market’s future seems to be one defined by its eclectic mix of cultures and lifestyles.

Click here to explore Trinity's archives to find out more about the history of The Trinity Centre and Old Market.

This news item is based on information gathered as part of Trinity's Vice and Virtue project.

More about this Workshop

This session will include writing exercises inspired by the theme’s show of gender identity and breaking binaries, while covering performance skills, in preparation for the open mic section of the show.

These workshops will be in preparation for the ‘Dancing To Music You Hate’ which kicks off at the Wardrobe Theatre on Monday 10th July at 7.30 pm.

Attendees of this workshop will be given priority for the event’s open mic, though slots are not guaranteed. The workshops are open to participants of all levels, backgrounds and genders. Attendees are invited to bring 1-2 of their own poems that they'd like to work on.

More about the Artists

Jasmine Gardosi is an award-winning spoken word poet, beatboxer and multiple slam champion of national and international renown. Dancing To Music You Hate is her brand new, debut show about gender identity, coming to terms with queerness, and finding the words. Commissioned by Warwick Arts Centre, it premiered there in October 2022 to standing ovations.

More about Milk Poetry

Milk Poetry selects the finest, freshest poets from the UK and beyond to produce the most nourishing and eclectic spoken word bonanza you could ever hope for. Curated and hosted by Malaika Kegode (Writer of Outlier) – monthly Mondays at The Wardrobe Theatre.

We partnering with Tamasha Theatre to explore hidden stories from the Windrush generation.

You are invited to break bread with playwright Mel Pennant and Director Anastasia Osei-Kuffour and to listen to Mel’s audio drama ‘A Stranger in a Strange Place’.

This will act as a starting point to discuss the thoughts, feelings and memories of Windrush which will feed into a new audio play.

This is part of a project to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Windrush, supported by The National Archives, which will culminate in an online listening party in October 2023.

There will be 2 workshops at the St Paul's Learning & Family Centre on the below times;

Thursday 22nd June 2.30 pm to 5 pm  and Friday 23rd June 10 am to 1 pm

You can attend either workshop, you do not need to bring anything along to participate, and there will be refreshments provided for everyone.

More about the Artists

Mel Pennant is a playwright, screenwriter and novelist. In 2013, she won the Brockley Jack Write Now 4 award with her play No Rhyme. In 2017, Mel was shortlisted for the Alfred Fagon Award for her play A Black Fella Walks into a Bar. Her play “Seeds" was on a national tour in 2020 before lockdown brought it to a halt.

Anastasia Osei – Kuffour is a Director, Writer, Producer and Poet. Anastasia’s work includes: All Roads (BGAC, Theatre Peckham, New Wimbledon Theatre Studio & Tramshed); On The Ropes (Park Theatre); Faith, Hope & Glory and Precious Little Thing (BBC Radio 4); Typical (Soho Theatre, the film: Soho Theatre On Demand); Seeds (UK tour, Leeds Playhouse, Live Newcastle, Derby Theatre & Warwick Arts Centre); Cuttin' It (Royal Court UK Schools Tour) and Footprints on the Moon (Finborough). See her website for more: www.anastasiaoseikuffour.com

Tasks may include weeding, planting, watering, creating wildlife habitats, and basic orchard maintenance.

This will also be a nice opportunity to have a cup of tea, relax and enjoy our Green Space.

Sessions are held Fortnightly on Wednesdays - Time: 10.00 - 13.00

Sessions will be led by Trinity's Garden Team. You'll also be working alongside a small team of friendly volunteers.

No previous experience in gardening is required, as all training will be provided.

Tools, equipment and drinks will be provided, and you are welcome to bring your own lunch. Lunch and travel expenses may be claimed back once you are a regular Trinity Volunteer.

Sessions are for 18+ only.

How to take part:

- If you would like to volunteer then first you will need to register with Trinity as a 'Volunteer Gardener'.

- After registration, our Garden Manager will contact you to have a friendly chat within 14 working days.

- You may then be invited to a taster session to see if the sessions feel right for you.

- Please do get in touch as we will do our best to accommodate everyone's individual needs.

So put on your dancing clothing on, be entertained and join us for a fun night at Trinity!

A great and fun way to meet new people and have a chat over a drink or two, along with some great music to do some dancing and socialising.

Rhythm of the Night is every last Thursday of the month.

Disco starts at 7.00pm

Bar open - please note you have to be over 18 to buy alcoholic drinks from our bar. You will be asked for an ID, so please bring one with you. Please ensure that transport is arranged for the end of the night.

Please note that Trinity has a public pay and display car park. It applies to anyone parking at the Centre, including staff, hirers, centre users and blue badge holders. The rates start at £1 (for 1hr) and go up to £5 for 12hrs. More info about Trinity's car park can be found here

These meetings are open to all residents, traders and anyone that has an interest in their local policing.

The purpose of the meetings is to offer reassurance to the community that their local neighbourhood team will still be policing the area following the impending closure of the station on Trinity Road.

How to get involved

You will not need to bring anything along to attend these meetings, and you are welcome to come along at any point. There will be information available in several languages to help explain things and reminders of ways to contact your local police force.

Meeting Times

January - Tuesday 31/01/2023 - 5 pm to 7 pm 
February - Saturday 25/02/2023 - 11 am to 1 pm 
March - Friday 31/03/2023 - 5 pm to 7 pm 
April - Wednesday - 26/04/2023 - 1 pm to 3 pm
May - Thursday 25/05/2023 - 10 am to 12 pm
June - Monday 19/06/2023 - 5 pm to 7 pm

About Avon and Somerset Police

Avon and Somerset Police as we know it today formed in 1974 from the merger of the former Somerset and Bath Constabulary with the Bristol police force and the Staple Hill division of Gloucestershire Constabulary.

In life, we chase rainbows. In death, we want something much simpler. Our own salvation or damnation dependent on the compatibility of our relative goodness to those who mourn our passing. Making saints of those held close and casting aside the sinners, though the space between is the one most of us occupy. Society depends on us all trying to be the best versions of ourselves. Our crimes are committed in the moments where we forget to try. It’s those who touch the extremities of expected behaviour -both good and bad - who create the most ripples.

Phil served 13 years in prison for a devastating crime. He came to Trinity in 2004 on a back-to-work ex-offender placement.

Sometimes there can be no forgiveness. But, in that space between life and death is where we find community. A space for the misfits and the troubled. Beyond the warmth of our family and our friends, a sense of belonging that is unconditional.

Emma Harvey, CEO

It was just a shabby shell back then, after a period of closure that many thought would mark its end. A re-imagining, but without any of the resources needed to realise that vision.

Phil offered us a lifeline. Without him, the building could never have reopened. Nor could it have remained open during those early years, when so much manual work needed doing in order to make it a safe space.

On Phil’s release, he continued to work at Trinity for no financial or personal gain. He did so much and grafted in a way that was unimaginable. It was his dedication and determination that inspired everyone who met him in those times. Others would try to emulate it, but we’d all be in bed crashed out at a time when he was up and about, working on setting things right so we could open our doors the next day.

His atonement laid the foundation stone of Trinity today. So many times, he managed to help us pull something unrealistic out of the bag and make the magic happen. His work ethic at times seemed superhuman and pushed him to breaking on several occasions. He was so stubborn in his dissent from that ladder, when it came to his retirement in 2016.

With his cynicism, it was like he hated all that busyness and insanity that gave the place life. When the lock-down started, the team joked that this was the Trinity Phil had always wanted. A quiet space with no people and the building all to himself. But, that was his trick on us - he loved the building’s life, he just never felt that he deserved to be a part of it.

During the Phil years, to walk in and see a weathered old man followed by his faithful hound, you just knew you had found somewhere where you could just be in spite of, not because of, your past self or any future expectations.

Trinity made him feel something in a space someone more poetic might call his heart. He felt enough of a sense of being part of the wonderment though just by being in the background as He who was both church care taker and care giver, whilst never permitting himself to fully become immersed.

For those who Phil hurt most - as for any victim of crime and their families - the worst thing to have is that sense of the perpetrator’s life being allowed to continue. The fear and anger that they are somehow able to enjoy that which they have taken from their victim. That they get to feel the warmth of the sun on their face.

The reality is much more complex. Even in our most joyous of times, Phil never basked in that sunshine. There was no absolution, just resolution and resignedness to a life in the shade. To paraphrase Indigo Girls (a band he loved) even if his sweat smelt clean, the glare off the sun would hurt his eyes.

Father. Husband. Functioning alcoholic. A mask that began to slip more and more with the passing of time. But, what never changed was a deep warmth and an unwavering loyalty beyond reason. Humour in the face of adversity. Cigarettes with Steve when there was nothing else. Amongst the glimpses of joy - guitars and fish and chips and T-shirts and Poppy - there were subsequent losses and drinking alone and fear and loneliness. Life meant life.

Love. There was so much love and hurt over past wrongs so damaging that they can never be set right, no matter how virtuous any subsequent action. Nevertheless, he was deeply loved by his Trinity family. We reflect on the life of a person who touched and changed lives dramatically and catastrophically. We respectfully mourn and pay tribute to a one of a kind man who inspired us to work hard and do better, knowing he could never be forgiven.

Sometimes there can be no forgiveness. But, in that space between life and death is where we find community. A space for the misfits and the troubled. Beyond the warmth of our family and our friends, a sense of belonging that is unconditional.

That he has passed during such particularly challenging times gives us greater cause for reflection. If a criminal can become such an outstanding citizen then we can hold onto hope that good grows out of even the most darkest of moments. That one might work toward a better future they might not be part of, but which still very much exists because of the part they played.

Restoration if not of a soul, at least of a building that is still very much here. A space for love, life, death and reincarnation. A place of radical inclusiveness, helping us to see that grace extended - even if it is felt to be undeserved - can take us all to somewhere better.

Phil. A reminder that who we are at any one moment does not define us. After all, we can always choose to change ourselves.

Big love always

Emma x

In their annual report of 1978, BCCE chairman writes "our aims and objectives are clear - a centre for youth and community activities; the philosophy is a multi-racial multi-cultural centre. The project is part of this community, and if it is to progress then the community must believe in it." (As quoted in Venue Magazine, no.70).

1 July 1978 - 'Trinity Community Institute' as it was then named - is officially launched, with a grand opening to coincide with St Paul's African-Caribbean Carnival to reflect the group's drive to embrace and celebrate Caribbean culture. The Centre is used every evening of the Festival week.

20 September 1978 - Official notice is given by the Church Commissioners that an Order in Council came into operation on 21st December 1977, allowing Holy Trinity building and its land to be used as a community centre.

October 1978 - The Easton Christian Family Centre newsletter contains an update on Trinity Church building: "The old Holy Trinity Church has been taken over by the Caribbean Community Association, who are a division of the West Indian Community. They have made extensive alterations, putting in a stage in the main auditorium for a theatre, and changing the side aisles into separate small rooms. The vestries have been changed into offices. They are currently negotiating plans to turn the graveyard into a large play area including tennis courts."

In 1992 Trinity was reopened by the New Trinity Community Association.

The new tenants and a dedicated team of volunteers began a second round of development and renovations, which included the installation of the sprung wooden floor downstairs.

In 1991, almost a decade after the BCCE group ceased to exist, the new landlords Bristol City Council leased Trinity to the New Trinity Community Association who reopened the building as 'The Trinity Hall' in 1992.

The new tenants and a dedicated team of volunteers began a second round of development and renovations, which included the installation of the sprung wooden floor downstairs.

It was under this new management that Trinity would again gain international fame, playing host to the biggest domestic and international music stars of the time. This helped to bring Bristol to the world's attention as a creative melting pot with its own distinct flavour - The Bristol Sound.

As well as the successful music nights there were also daytime community activities from bingo madness to a boxing club, the two levels provided a much needed space for local people's use.

Designs were produced by Architect Daniel Pacaud, which at the time caused great controversy with the Church Commissioners Advisory Board for Redundant Churches, who felt that the proposed works compromise the architectural heritage of the space.

The Church was at the time considered to be one of the finest examples of the work of Architect Thomas Rickman, who built the church between 1829-1932 with Henry Hutchinson.

Pacaud's plans for conversion, involved the installation of a dividing floor. But, despite the Church Commissioners' discontent, the build project went ahead.

The images found show this development in full flow and include pictures of a visit by politicians - including a rather young looking Kenneth Clarke - to see first hand the "Community Initiative" in progress.

Works included:

• Installing the first floor and sprung wooden floor on the ground level
• Repairing many of the windows which had been smashed over the years
• Cleaning the exterior sandstone, using a sandblasting method, to remove graffiti and pollution dirt

However, the costly process meant that many of the works proposed by Pacaud - particularly the developments of the upstairs hall spaces - were eventually abandoned.

Today, Trinity continues to renovate and develop the space to try to avoid any further compromising of the interior and realise this original vision to make a multi-functional community hub.

"Although the very fine interior of this church would be ruined by the proposals as the building now belonged to the local authority Board members felt that it would be a waste of time to try and say it by fighting a rearguard action. It was RESOLVED: That the Church Commissioners be informed that the Advisory Board regards the church of Holy Trinity, Bristol, Diocese of Bristol, as a building of considerable architectural and historic interest with a fine interior that would be entirely compromised by the present proposals for conversion to a community centre" - Church Commissioners Advisory Board for Redundant Churches, June 1987.

Jan 21-22 Arts Opportunity Theatre staged 'Black & White in Colour' in 1983. The play explored causes of the St Paul's Riots in 1980.

Bristol Caribbean Community Enterprise Group had debts of more than £100,000.

Midland Bank was the company's biggest creditor, but the Inland Revenue (who was owed £23,000) brought legal action.

Its Chairman at the time (from November 1983), Mr Richard Davis, said in Venue no.70:

"We had several months' work to do on improving the appearance of the place...it's tragic and we feel very bad about it all."

He believed they could turn their losses around but needed to overcome the drawbacks (like the gravestones outside the road widening and the state of the building) which were thought responsible for people's reluctance to use the place: "We inherited a lot of problems. It's been a long, hard slog and it seems everything's been against us."

Centre Manager, Fitzroy De Freitas was accused of stealing money and running away to Jamaica. It transpired that he was actually living at his sister's house in Clevedon, penniless, with massive loans out on his former property due to Trinity. Sadly, the rumours stuck anyway.