Bristol has been named as the UK’s Best Shopping Destination for Groups in the 2016 Group Travel Awards.
Bristol faced tough competition in this year’s category, which included top UK shopping destinations such as Cardiff, London and Portsmouth, as well as renowned shopping venues like the Trafford Centre in Manchester. Winners in all the categories were voted for by the readers of Group Travel Organiser magazine based on all aspects of a group trip such as pre-travel information, transport, where to stay overnight and what to do once here.
John Hirst, Destination Bristol's Chief Executive, was presented with the award by TV’s Christopher Biggins on Friday 3 June at an event hosted in the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London. The ceremony marked the 20th annual UK Group Travel Awards.
John said, ”I’m extremely proud to have collected this much coveted award. For Bristol’s group-friendly shopping experience to be recognised at a national level is a tremendous boost to the city as a whole and to those that have worked so hard behind the scenes to enhance the group experience here.”
Sarah Jeffery, Partnership Director at Landor Publications and organiser of The Group Travel Awards, said, “Our award winners are voted for by the readers of GTO magazine through personal experience over the last 12 months and Bristol is to be warmly congratulated on winning the ‘Best Shopping Venue or Destination for Groups’ category”.
More than 500 stores in Bristol Shopping Quarter are a huge draw for shopping groups. It comprises Cabot Circus, The Galleries and Broadmead, as well as the European-style open-air piazza of Quakers Friars, home to luxury stores like Harvey Nichols and designer brands including Ted Baker and Hugo Boss.
Around 50 cafés and restaurants can also be found in Bristol Shopping Quarter, many of which - like TGI Fridays and Giraffe - are very welcoming to large groups and families. There are also great value, centrally-located group accommodation options like Bristol Marriott Hotel City Centre and Future Inn Bristol at Cabot Circus, as well as the new Premier Inn Lewins Mead (opened in March).
The independent shops of Gloucester Road, Park Street and Clifton, and the St Nicholas and Harbourside markets are also incredibly popular among shoppers seeking unique Bristol gifts. The city’s own currency – The Bristol Pound – introduced in 2012 also helps to enhance and grow the independent shopping scene.
Free coach parking at Cabot Circus available 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week, plus new alternative coach parking beside the Harbourside at Redcliffe Wharf (chargeable), allows groups to access to the city’s shops and sights more easily.
For more information, ideas and inspiration, see visitbristol.co.uk/groups