Tobacco Factory

The Tobacco Factory is the last remaining part of the old W. D. & H. O. Wills tobacco factory site on Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol. It was saved from demolition by the architect and former mayor of the city George Ferguson and through his vision has become a model of urban regeneration. It is now a multi-use building which houses animation and performing arts school, loft-style apartments, a café bar, offices and a theatre.

Tobacco Factory
The Tobacco Factory during cleaning work which saw a Union Jack flag covering scaffolding
Location within Bristol
General information
Architectural styleIndustrial
Town or cityBristol
CountryEngland
Coordinates51.4423°N 2.6135°W / 51.4423; -2.6135
ClientW. D. & H. O. Wills
Technical details
Structural systemBrick and Iron

Inspired by the Manchester Independents campaign, George Ferguson decided to launch a Bristol-based campaign from the Tobacco Factory, the purpose is to encourage the support and patronage of independent outlets and businesses to help redress the balance that has swung strongly in favour of the multiples at the expense of local character and enterprise. Business at the Tobacco Factory epitomises this, with home grown enterprises, such as Fanatic Design,[1] CLIK.

The motto worn on the shirts of the bar staff is "Strike a light for Independents!"

History

The factory was built between 1898 and 1901[2] as 'Number 3 Factory' for W.D. & H.O. Wills. The building was used to process tobacco until 1985-6 when Imperial Tobacco, which W.D & H.O. Wills had latterly been a part of, relocated production. The building fell into disrepair until 10 September 1993, when George Ferguson bought the building with the plan to regenerate it as a creative, mixed-use community building.[3]

Tobacco Factory Theatre
Main article: Tobacco Factory Theatre

Since the creation of the theatre space on the first floor in 1998, companies including Show of Strength Theatre Company, Shakespeare at the Tobacco Factory, the Royal National Theatre and The Ministry of Entertainment have performed there as well as regular in house productions.[4] The theatre is now recognised by Bristol City Council as a key arts provider.[5] The theatre gained funding from the Arts Council of England for the first time in 2007.[6] The current Artistic Director is Mike Tweddle, appointed in 2016.[7][8]

The Café Bar

The Tobacco Factory Café Bar opened in November 2001, serving Mediterranean style food in a post-industrial setting. Regular music nights complement the theatre upstairs.[9]

Sunday market

The Tobacco Factory also has every Sunday a market in their car park where stalls come to set up and sell fresh produce, including fish, fruit and vegetables but also takeaway meals and drinks. However, some stalls also sell practical things like scarfs and homemade soaps. Every week the stalls can change.[10][11]

Archives

Extensive records of W.D. & H.O. Wills, who originally developed the site as a factory for processing tobacco, are held at Bristol Archives (Ref. 38169) (online catalogue).

References
  1. "Fanatic Design | A Full Service Creative Design & Marketing Agency". Fanatic.co.uk. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
  2. J Wright & Co's Matthew's Bristol Directory, 1898 & 1901
  3. "Tobacco Factory timeline webpage". Retrieved 7 June 2016.
  4. "Tobacco Factory Theatre". stage.mandy.com/uk. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
  5. "Tobacco Factory Theatre". theatrebristol.net. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
  6. Baluch, Lalayn (3 July 2007). "Cash boost for Bristol's Tobacco Factory". The Stage. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
  7. "Our Team". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  8. "Announcing our new Artistic and Executive Directors". Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  9. "The Tobacco Factory". eatout.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2009-04-13. Retrieved 2009-03-21.
  11. "Independent Box Shops". Tobaccofactory.com. Retrieved 10 January 2021.
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