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 Improve your mind and the world |
103 Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8AT United Kingdom +44 117 942 2969 |
This place is worth a visit not just for its wide range of well-organised second-hand books, but also because its proceeds help support the Amnesty International campaign for globally recognised and honoured human rights, including the release of "prisoners of conscience", fair trial for political prisoners and an end to torture, "disappearances" and political executions. It's possible to find some very unusual books here, if you're willing to spend a little time looking - such as Japanese Manga translated into French! The books are organised by subject - art, cookery, health, travel, history, biography, children's etc. - and there's a particularly large selection of modern fiction, which fills an entire room at the back of the shop. Access is reasonable, although wheelchair users might find the aisles a little too narrow for ease of movement. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Sci-fi specialists |
143 Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8BA United Kingdom +44 117 924 4655 |
Named after the infamous Area 51 in America - site of the rumored USA government alien capture cover-up - this shop specializes in comics, sci-fi books and toys and videos. Sci-fi related events are sometimes held here as well, such as a celebration of the launch of the Judge Dredd card game - which included free promotional cards, a chance to play the game, meet the designers, and talk to some guest artists. They have all kinds of collectible card games too, such as Star Wars and Babylon 5. Wheelchair users may have difficulty reaching the rear of the shop where the boxes of comics are kept. The staff are very knowledgeable - you might even go so far as to call them sci-fi nerds! But the shop is often very busy, so they may not have time to be as helpful as they'd like. Rummaging about yourself is the best bet. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
 Fair-traded clothes and jewellery |
193 Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8BG United Kingdom +44 117 924 5598 |
This workers' co-operative is committed to fair trading, both with the suppliers of the lovely and very high quality clothes they sell, and their customers, The Bishopston Trading Company supplies secure employment, free healthcare and a crèche for their workers in the town of K.V.Kuppam (Madras, India). So, you can shop here without having to leave your conscience behind. The co-operative now has five stores throughout the south west and this branch sells unique, colourful and high-quality cotton clothes, which reflect what's going on fashion-wise. Fabrics used include Noil silk and organic cotton. There's also handmade jewellery, sandals and bags. Prices start from around £10 for a sun top to £60 for a hand embroidered reversible jacket. There is a small children's play area in the shop, making this a good place to visit if you've got the kids with you. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Baby and parent supplies, with a trendy twist |
64 Gloucester Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8BH United Kingdom +44 117 924 5080 http://www.borndirect.com |
This shop aims to provide mums and dads with a "different approach to parenting"—which translates as a shop full of natural and unique (plus trendy and slightly more expensive) products for babies, children and parents that you won't find anywhere else. It's essentially a very chic and minimalist outlet for those who find chain stores too tacky for their little treasures. Best of all is the range of herbal remedies - a variety of herbal mixtures, including ones to help breast-feeding mums or soothe teething infants. Also available are aromatherapy massage oils for your baby, such as Sleepytime Camomile Oil. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Over 44 different types of delicious bread |
45 Gloucester Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8AD United Kingdom +44 117 942 1654 |
Paradise for those who love the smell of freshly-baked bread! This small shop is packed with bread of all different shapes, sizes and types - they are so popular that queues out onto the pavement aren't uncommon. There are traditional white/wholemeal loaves, either organic or otherwise, as well as French sticks, ciabatta, rolls, baps and crusty cobs (never heard of the last two - just ask!). But best of all, and why the place is always busy, are the specialty breads, including mushroom and rosemary, sun-dried tomato and green or black olive. Absolutely delicious. It's also one of the few places to stock 100 per cent rye bread and Irish soda bread. Those with more of a sweet tooth should try the cakes too - dough nuts, iced buns, carrot cake, shortbread, tea cakes and flapjack. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Everything for the home brewer |
Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8AR United Kingdom +44 117 942 7923 |
If you'd rather do-it-yourself than visit the nearest off-licence, this is the place to go. Everything you could ever need for home brewing is here - fermentation vessels such as demi-johns and vats, hydrometers, thermometers, a large variety of yeasts, sterilization equipment, dried flowers (e.g. elderflower and coltsfoot) for country wines, dried hops, empty bottles, labels and corks and corking devices. The staff know pretty much everything there is to know about the art - did you know you could make wine out of Wheetabix! - and are happy to advise you, whether you're a beginner or have amassed your own personal cellar of home-made tipple. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Vibrant colour, 60s style |
55 Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8AD United Kingdom +44 117 942 5625 |
Walk in here and you'll find a brightly coloured kaleidoscope of 60's and 70's styled clothing, perfect for those who don't want to look the same as everyone else - you couldn't get further from chain store blandness! There are shirts, skirts, jackets, jeans, flares and some truly psychedelic dresses. They also sell jewellery and quirky wall decorations - look out for the "unicorn" horn hanging on the wall of the shop. It might be slightly dusty, but you can find some real sartorial treasures here and it's a haven for those nostalgic for the less hurried days - correspondingly the staff are friendly and what can only be described as laid back. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: foto.bulle.de  |
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60's and 70's chic |
85 Gloucester Road Bristol BS7 8AS United Kingdom +44 117 983 0007 |
Anyone looking for a second-hand leather jacket should make their way here first. RePsycho has racks of them, alongside suede, cord and denim ones, all exuding 60's and 70's groovy chic. Lots of them are imported from America and Europe, so you know you're getting one-offs and won't bump into anyone else wearing the same thing in Bristol. Rummage through the overflowing shelves and rails and you'll also find jeans, some amazingly psychedelic dresses, shirts and skirts, as well as accessories, old telephones and some jewelery - all kitsch, funky and lots of fun. In fact, the decor alone in this place makes it worth a visit - think Austin Powers and you're not far off. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Dance music of all kinds |
9 Gloucester Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8AA United Kingdom +44 117 907 4372 http://www.rootedrecords.co.uk |
If you like techno, trance, house, garage, hip-hop, dub, reggae, jazz-funk, soul and drum and bass, here's the place to come. At Rooted you can buy those obscure tunes that only aficionados like yourself have heard of, and find the tunes you keep hearing when you're dancing the night away in one of the city's clubs. With graffiti-covered walls making the place look like a tiny slice of the Bronx, and frequented by many of the city's DJs, this place is serious about its music and the staff really know their stuff. You'll see people in here, listening to the latest import with headphones on, in true DJ style. They stock both new and second-hand and welcome any suggestions, ideas or questions as to what's on offer. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Kristie Hughes |
 Photo: Tom Perrott |
 Friendly coffee shop with a Latin American influence |
89 Gloucester Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8AS United Kingdom +44 117 944 6810 |
Chilean-owned La Ruca offer meals and snacks throughout the day in their upstairs cafe, specialising in a range of Chilean dishes for vegans, vegetarians and people with special diets and allergies. They also do a mean English breakfast and there are always some delicious cakes and hot and cold drinks. Downstairs, their ethical and organic policy is reflected in what's on offer in their deli - organic foodstuffs, olives, Fair Trade products, South American snacks, a wide range of teas, plus essential oils and herbal products. It also plays a large part in the local Latin-American community and is used for private functions and evening entertainment from storytelling to meditation. If you fancy practising your Spanish, call in on Monday evenings when they open late and everyone speaks in Spanish upstairs over a few drinks. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: wcities |
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Coffee bar and Persian deli all in one |
61 Gloucester Road Bishopston Bristol BS7 8AD United Kingdom +44 117 904 0040 |
OK, you've done the Thai thing, got tired of Italian, been through your whole Latin-American phase. But have you ever tried Persian? This is the only place in Bristol where you can get authentic Persian dishes, such as ku ku (an omelette with coriander, parsley, tarragon and leek), roasted Chick-pea Cookies and Baclava. Or, if you don't want to eat in, you can buy a variety of Persian ingredients to take home, including Halva, Dates, Nuts, Pickled Garlic, Spices and Olives, from the small deli at the back of the cafe. The owner is Persian and it's a popular place not only for Bristol's small Persian community (a few thousand) but also for shoppers and students looking for a break from busy Gloucester Road outside - you can also come here just for a coffee, and plenty do. Review © 2007, Wcities |