Bristol City Council’s project Transforming Filwood Broadway has had a busy few months. This is an update on two aspects of the project: Filwood Community and the Old Cinema site.
Filwood Community Centre update
Bristol City Council’s expansion of Filwood Community Centre is starting to take shape. Design by Hayhurst and co. Contractor is locally based Bray and Slaughter.
The Cross Laminated Timber (CLT) structure is now mostly installed for the new library, alongside the front extensions, which will house a public lounge and event/kitchen hire spaces. The next steps are for contractor Bray and Slaughter to install the CLT structure for the rear extension, creating more community and events spaces. The reroofing of the existing roofs is well underway, with most of the solar panels installed to the roofs of the existing building.
Windows and doors are being added, and following this timber cladding will be installed. Internally, remodelling works include the installation of steel works and completing the brickwork around the openings (like windows and doors). Work will begin soon on fitting all the essential systems like wiring, heating and plumbing. This will be followed by the installation of new ceilings and partitions to form the new internal layout.
Glimpse into history
Peeling back the layers. Found in the cavity of the Community Centre is a tiny scrap of newspaper dated Friday,
August 27th, 1937, a fragile scrap of daily life hidden in the wall for almost 90 years.
Updates
The temporary parking restrictions remain in place around the Community Centre, including the closure of a section of Barnstaple Road at the front of the site to separate site activities and access and exit routes for construction traffic. This is expected to be in place until July 2026.
Construction works are expected to complete in summer 2026 when the centre will reopen.
photo credit: Matt Brown
The Old Cinema Site update
Elsewhere on Filwood Broadway the development on the old cinema site is coming along, thanks to Stepnell Construction. The buildings are taking their final shape. The building frames of the new apartment blocks and the terrace houses are fully established. Brickwork has began, meaning the buildings are getting their final look.
What’s coming up
Ground clearance for the final block is being prepared. The established buildings will be made weatherproof in the next few weeks, with roofs and exterior cladding going on and interior works beginning.
Once the Old Cinema development is complete the finished homes will fall within the Knowle West Local Letting Policy, giving local people priority for new homes. Find out more here.
Many thanks to everyone using Filwood Broadway for their patience and support while these works take place.
Find out more about the regeneration of Filwood Broadway here.