BRISTOL’S HARBOURSIDE CELEBRATES ROYAL WEDDING IN STYLE
Tuesday, 26th April 2011
Bristol tourism officials are gearing up for a royal wedding weekend that is guaranteed to be ‘Harbour-full’ of fun, with the launch of a new event called Harbourside Starts Here, beginning 29 April.
The title of Harbourside Starts Here has a dual meaning. The first meaning speaks to the event’s location in St Augustine’s Reach, and on its quaysides, Narrow Quay and Bordeaux Quay. This stretch of water, with the Cascade Steps and Centre Promenade close by is a natural gateway into the harbour, and its many cultural and tourist attractions, bars, boats, restaurants, walks and tours.
The second meaning is one of re-launching the area with the introduction of a new regular Harbourside Market. This exciting new offering will launch on 29 April with three special markets running over the first May Bank Holiday weekend.
John Hirst, Operations Director of Destination Bristol said, ‘Many activities that are happening as part of Harbourside Start Here are free, so we encourage everyone to come down and join in the fun. We are especially pleased to see a new regular market launching on the quayside. This is something that many people have been working hard to make happen for a long time. It will be a great royal wedding weekend down on the Harbourside’.
Showcasing locally produced food, art, craft and books, the market has been initiated by No 1 Harbourside and Watershed. Post-launch, a regular Saturday market will provide food, art and craft, and Sundays will showcase books, art, records and plants. The market will operate along the Watershed’s covered walkway on Bordeaux Quay.
Whether visitors want to shop for foodie treats at the market, watch the royal wedding on the Big Screen at Millennium Square, jump on a boat, watch a film, or simply stroll around the Harbour, there is something for everyone at Harbourside Starts Here.
The area will be decked out with bunting in honour of the royal wedding and specially produced banners will be hung on Pero’s Bridge. Local attractions including At-Bristol, Arnolfini, Bristol Aquarium, Brunel’s ss Great Britain and Spike Island Studios are all within walking distance or a short boat ride away. Many of these attractions have special activities running over the weekend as well.
In addition, Coconut Chilli Digital will launch the first authentic StrEAT food festival as part of the royal wedding celebrations on Anchor Square, 29 April. Hot dishes from Thailand, India, Spain, Indonesia, Jamaica and other countries will be served from 11:00am until 8:00pm. Family fun will include live entertainment and activities for children.
Harbourside Starts Here is sponsored by At-Bristol, Bristol City Council and Destination Bristol, and driven by local businesses and organisations including Arnolfini, the Architecture Centre, At-Bristol, Bordeaux Quay, Bristol City Council, Bristol Hotel, Coconut Chilli Digital, Destination Bristol, No 1 Harbourside and Watershed.
For more information about Harbourside Starts Here, including events taking place in the wider Harbourside area, log on to www.harboursidestartshere.co.uk or call Bristol’s tourism information centre on 0906 711 2191.
