Shoppers in Bedminster on Saturday 21st February got more than they bargained for. Show Of Strength working in partnership with The Southville Centre to put live performances in 19 shops. The route ran from the Ashton end of North Street and continued along Cannon Street to include East Street. Funded by Bristol City Council, Quartet Foundation and the Bedminster Community Chest, TRADING LOCAL aimed to encourage people to ‘shop local’ and to get to know the wonderful wealth of independent shops in the area. Shops taking part included Lion Stores, The Dinkie, the Polish Shop, Michael’s Antiques, Compuwave, The Bed Workshop and restaurant La Sicilia.

Download the the programme PDF

Show Of Strength has worked with local writers to develop 5 minute monologues, specially written for individual shops. On 21 February they were performed by 6 professional actors moving from shop to shop. Each actor performed three pieces: different characters created by different writers.

We received fantastic feedback from happy shopkeepers, (the sweet shop that doubled it’s sales) and excited audiences,- it really made me feel part of the community

local Cameraman Richard Clutterbuck has produced a DVD of edited highlights and Vox Pox which was shown at the Southville Centre as part of the Southbank Arts Trail.
We will also exhibited photographs of Trading Local taken by members of South Bristol based Camera Club Reflex

Show Of Strength are interested in working with other groups of shops and traders on similar projects in other parts of the city or further afield. If you’d like to talk about doing TRADING LOCAL in your area then ring or email –contact details are below.
Download the the programme PDF

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see THE WRITERS

see THE COMPANY