Mickleburgh is one of the longest-established family-owned businesses on Stokes Croft and in Bristol, having commenced manufacturing pianos in the 1870s and then first opening a retail store in this location in 1903. The original premises were bombed in WWII and subsequently rebuilt in 1959.
The current premises are now in need of significant updating and with an existing layout that is not particularly well suited to the storage and retailing of pianos, demolition and redevelopment is considered the only viable solution. The redevelopment proposal seeks to make a more efficient, effective and successful layout for modern retailing. The ground, basement and mezzanine floors of this proposed scheme will be retained for use by Mickleburgh Ltd.
The reimagined Mickleburgh will offer a place where music meets community – a destination for music lovers to learn, perform, and connect. The revitalised space will improve their current retail offering by providing new 15,000 sq. ft premises, including an expansive music shop with a curated selection of instruments and accessories, and a well-designed showroom for the sale of pianos for which they are known. Additionally, this redevelopment allows Mickleburgh to offer an immersive artistic ambiance in a new sub-ground-level community space. This will include a performance space, hosting live events and showcasing emerging local talents with an accompanying cafe/bar, along with dedicated practice and tuition rooms, tailored for musicians of all levels.
The investment required to achieve this is significant, and only possible by the creation of an enlarged basement, additional height and floor space. Above the retail space, Colico Living proposes to introduce a further 126 studio apartments for students into this already well established student location, close to the new Bristol campus of BIMM Institute.
Join us to hear from Mickleburgh, and their partner Colico Living about these proposals, and how the team are looking to secure the future of Mickleburgh in Stokes Croft.
Speakers
- Michael Barnfield, the Mickleburgh director, leads the family-run business, supported by two of his children Sophie and Edward, who are looking to take the business into the next generation of trading through diversification and remodelling the retail experience. Michael will be joined by his son Edward.
- Jon Stewart, Director of Colico Living, has many years’ experience of developing inner city sites, having worked for the Unite Group plc, and Crosslane Property Group.
- James Wainwright Director in the Bristol office of ECE Westworks Architects who have been working on this project since 2020.
Members will be invited by email to join the event.