This is not a Bristol decision…

Since 1987, Bristol Ticket Shop has served the people of Bristol and the surrounding area in its own unique way. Where most cities do without such a conduit for music, BTS sells up to £2m worth of tickets on behalf of (mostly) local promoters annually.

However, Hark Group, the London-based landlords responsible for The Galleries, have decided to serve the ticket vendors with four weeks notice in favour of a new coffee shop. Where this means an increase in rent revenue for the shopping centre, fears are that BTS aren’t the only ones losing out.

“This is not a Bristol decision” points out Bristol Ticket Shop’s Zoe Poster, “the company responsible don’t even understand what we do”.

The planning policy document states that the company “recognises the importance of alternative retail uses within town centres”, however when combined with their representative stating, as alluded to above, that they were “not sure what a ticket agent does”, it appears they may consider an addition to an overcrowded coffee market more alternative and business-driving than our own BTS.

“They seem unaware that queues for ‘hot’ tickets start to form hours before we even open — every trader in the vicinity benefits from this…” state the ticket shop, continuing to surmise that “if the Hark Group continue to manage with such a cavalier attitude to existing tenants, if they can’t be bothered to do any research or if they think coffee beans are more alternative than event tickets, then The Galleries will suffer”.

From 26th July, Bristol Ticket Shop will be operating from a new premises of 41 High Street (adjacent to The Looking Glass) and would appreciate any help in raising awareness of the move.

Visit BTS online here.