Bristol’s Food Scene: Are locals worried about the future of the hospitality industry?

One thing bristol is known for is its array of restaurants and bars, from Michelin star dining to unique immersive food experiences.

Transcript

00:00 One thing Bristol has always been known for is its array of restaurants and bars.

00:06 But do locals have a favourite? Let's find out.

00:10 It's quite around the road, around Seamreechland.

00:13 It's quite around the road, when you're seated you're able to see outside,

00:17 the lovely view, the garage, the garden outside there is so lovely, so nice.

00:25 I'm going to say no because my husband now, neither came in, my husband learnt to cook

00:32 and he cooks so well. We've got to go back because we've got a no-cardo delivery.

00:39 Two, there's the Bristol Thai, the Clifton Thai and Bengals down in Stoke Hill.

00:49 Thai food and Indian food.

00:52 The white horse, but that's gone. A local one, a private one, not a chain one.

01:02 Well I think there's enough that I need.

01:04 The Grain Barge and the Underfall.

01:07 The Underfall is a unique place and when the weather's good it's fantastic.

01:13 The food is a good price and it's imaginative.

01:18 Same with the Grain Barge, it's a novelty and the staff are fantastic in both places.

01:23 They treat us oldies as very special.

01:26 Many local restaurants and bars have struggled due to the rising cost of living.

01:32 Let's find out if locals are concerned for the future of hospitality in the city.

01:37 Yeah, it's worrisome because some of us when we are at work, as I am now,

01:42 we do depend on these restaurants.

01:44 So if they close, sometimes we wake up at 8 so we cannot manage to prepare breakfast or lunch.

01:50 So we depend on these restaurants.

01:52 So when they close these restaurants it becomes so worrisome for us who are depending on them.

01:58 And why is it important then that we support local restaurants?

02:02 It's important because as you can see people are always moving up and down, we are always busy.

02:07 So you may not tell when you are going to be hungry.

02:11 Sometimes you may tell yourself, "I'm not going to eat."

02:14 You may eat breakfast at home but not knowing along the way you feel hungry.

02:18 So if there are no restaurants nearby, it's an obvious case you are going to starve.

02:23 And you cannot leave work to go back home.

02:25 Some of us are coming from far places to come for work.

02:29 So if we can have a local restaurant within, it's easy.

02:33 It's very difficult to get proper good food.

02:39 You just can't worry about it too much, you just got to get on with it.

02:43 I was very lean when we were young and going to a restaurant was something we could not do.

02:51 We have never gone into credit and buying expensive things that way.

03:01 And I've got nearly all my... (laughs)