Easton, Bristol
Encyclopedia
Easton is both the name of a council ward
in the city of Bristol
in the United Kingdom
, and an inner city
area that lies partly within that ward. The Easton ward also contains the Whitehall
and Netham areas of the city. Notable places within the ward include Lawrence Hill
and Stapleton Road railway station
s and the City Academy
. The Bristol & Bath Railway Path also passes through the ward.
area of the city of Bristol
in the United Kingdom
. Informally the area is considered to stretch east of Bristol city centre
and the M32 motorway
, centred around Lawrence Hill. Its southern and eastern borders are less defined, merging into St Philips Marsh
and Eastville
. The area includes the Lawrence Hill
and Barton Hill
estates.
In administrative terms, Easton comprises the electoral wards of Easton and part of Lawrence Hill. It is located within the Bristol West constituency.
reports Easton has a younger average age than that of England and Wales, and that around 35% of the population is of Black or Asian origin. This figure rises towards Lawrence Hill.
Easton is one of the most deprived areas in the south west of England, with the Lawrence Hill ward the most deprived ward in the region and one of the most deprived in Britain. This has resulted in the area being granted European Union
objective 2 status and 'New Deal for Communities' status by the UK government which is only granted to the most underprivileged urban wards. Despite this, Easton also has a bohemian aspect and is home to many of Bristol's younger creative people, looking for affordable housing and a sense of community - a group that has been forced out by the gentrification of areas such as Bishopston, Bedminster and Hotwells in recent years.
Easton is a vibrant community with local community and pressure groups, local bands, political groups, housing and workers cooperatives and some anarchist communes. It also has three mosques, a synagogue
, a Sikh
temple and several church
es of different denominations.
St Marks Road in northern Easton is a shopping street noted for its exuberant decoration and, like Mina Road in St Werburghs, the number of shops with sculpted shop signs hanging above their doors. There are a number of Moroccan and Indian subcontinent restaurants and shops specialising in organic and ethnic foods, further reinforcing the area's reputation as 'alternative'. The best known of these is the Bristol Sweetmart, a grocer and delicatessen that has expanded shop-by-shop over the years, its success mirroring the economic growth of the area. Its cafes also include Cafe Maitreya, one of Britain’s highest-rated vegetarian restaurants (by the Vegetarian Society
2004).
The northern Stapleton Rd area near the train station is also witnessing redevelopment and investment with a large Asian store opened in a derelict property.
is synonymous with Easton. There are several Banksy 'originals' in Easton although the council inadvertently blackwashed one and another has had a tin of paint thrown over it. This was possibly done in response to the house that the art was attached to being sold as a piece of Banksy graffiti with a house thrown in for free.
and Stapleton Road
, which are served by trains on the Severn Beach Line
plus services to and from Gloucester and South Wales. The main line to South Wales, the Midlands, Scotland and London also passes through Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road, branching away from the Severn Beach line just north of Stapleton Road Station. The M32 motorway marks the border of Easton to the north. The A4032 dual carriageway
cuts the area in two.
lies in the north of Easton just south of Eastville. Greenbank has a gentrified air and the housing prices reflect this. Greenbank Cemetery is an oasis of calm amidst the inner city.
The residents have successfully fought against redevelopment of a closed chocolate factory into flats and houses. The Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory
was, in the eyes of local residents, a building that represented the industrial heritage of Bristol. The opposition to this redevelopment was supported by George Ferguson
, whose vision turned the defunct tobacco factory
in Bedminster into one of Bristol's leading venues.
and St George
areas of the city.
Wards of the United Kingdom
A ward in the United Kingdom is an electoral district at sub-national level represented by one or more councillors. It is the primary unit of British administrative and electoral geography .-England:...
in the city of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, and an inner city
Inner city
The inner city is the central area of a major city or metropolis. In the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland, the term is often applied to the lower-income residential districts in the city centre and nearby areas...
area that lies partly within that ward. The Easton ward also contains the Whitehall
Whitehall, Bristol
Whitehall, is a district on the edge of inner Bristol city in England.-Parks:The local green space is Whitehall Playing Fields or Packer's Ground as it was known, taking its name from the local chocolate factory - Packers. As of 2006 this company is known as Famous Names and has just announced its...
and Netham areas of the city. Notable places within the ward include Lawrence Hill
Lawrence Hill railway station
Lawrence Hill railway station serves the St. George area of Bristol, England as well as the surrounding suburbs of Easton, Barton Hill, Whitehall and Netham.The station is north of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line and is unmanned....
and Stapleton Road railway station
Stapleton Road railway station
Stapleton Road railway station lies in the inner city area of Easton, Bristol, England.It is a railway station on the Severn Beach Line; although it is also served by hourly trains between Gloucester and Westbury....
s and the City Academy
City Academy, Bristol
The City Academy, Bristol is a non-selective academy in Bristol, England which opened in September 2003. It forms part of the Labour government's scheme for schools in deprived areas....
. The Bristol & Bath Railway Path also passes through the ward.
Easton
Easton is an inner cityInner city
The inner city is the central area of a major city or metropolis. In the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland, the term is often applied to the lower-income residential districts in the city centre and nearby areas...
area of the city of Bristol
Bristol
Bristol is a city, unitary authority area and ceremonial county in South West England, with an estimated population of 433,100 for the unitary authority in 2009, and a surrounding Larger Urban Zone with an estimated 1,070,000 residents in 2007...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
. Informally the area is considered to stretch east of Bristol city centre
Bristol city centre
Bristol city centre is the commercial, cultural and business centre of Bristol, England. It is the area south of the central ring road and north of the Floating Harbour, bounded north by St Pauls and Easton, east by Temple Meads and Redcliffe, and west by Clifton and Canon's Marsh...
and the M32 motorway
M32 motorway
The M32 is a motorway in South Gloucestershire and Bristol, England. It provides a link from Bristol city centre to the M4 and is part of the Bristol Parkway. At about , it is one of Britain's shortest motorways...
, centred around Lawrence Hill. Its southern and eastern borders are less defined, merging into St Philips Marsh
St Philips Marsh
St Philip's Marsh is an industrial inner suburb of Bristol, England. It is bounded by River Avon and Harbour feeder canal making it an almost island area, unlike the other two areas surrounded by water, it was historically part of Gloucestershire...
and Eastville
Eastville
There are several places bearing the name Eastville:*Eastville, Bristol, England*Eastville, Lincolnshire, England*Eastville, Nova Scotia, Canada*Eastville, Virginia, USA...
. The area includes the Lawrence Hill
Lawrence Hill, Bristol
Lawrence Hill is an electoral ward of Bristol, United Kingdom. It takes its name from a small area just to the east of the city centre, and includes the districts of Barton Hill, St Philips Marsh and Redcliffe, Temple Meads and parts of Easton and the Broadmead shopping area.-History:It is the most...
and Barton Hill
Barton Hill, Bristol
Barton Hill is an area of Bristol, just to the east of the city centre and Bristol Temple Meads railway station.It includes residential, retail and industrial premises and is crossed by major roads, railway tracks and the feeder canal leading to Bristol Harbour.-History:Barton was a manor just...
estates.
In administrative terms, Easton comprises the electoral wards of Easton and part of Lawrence Hill. It is located within the Bristol West constituency.
Demographics
The Census 2001United Kingdom Census 2001
A nationwide census, known as Census 2001, was conducted in the United Kingdom on Sunday, 29 April 2001. This was the 20th UK Census and recorded a resident population of 58,789,194....
reports Easton has a younger average age than that of England and Wales, and that around 35% of the population is of Black or Asian origin. This figure rises towards Lawrence Hill.
Easton is one of the most deprived areas in the south west of England, with the Lawrence Hill ward the most deprived ward in the region and one of the most deprived in Britain. This has resulted in the area being granted European Union
European Union
The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958...
objective 2 status and 'New Deal for Communities' status by the UK government which is only granted to the most underprivileged urban wards. Despite this, Easton also has a bohemian aspect and is home to many of Bristol's younger creative people, looking for affordable housing and a sense of community - a group that has been forced out by the gentrification of areas such as Bishopston, Bedminster and Hotwells in recent years.
Easton is a vibrant community with local community and pressure groups, local bands, political groups, housing and workers cooperatives and some anarchist communes. It also has three mosques, a synagogue
Synagogue
A synagogue is a Jewish house of prayer. This use of the Greek term synagogue originates in the Septuagint where it sometimes translates the Hebrew word for assembly, kahal...
, a Sikh
Sikh
A Sikh is a follower of Sikhism. It primarily originated in the 15th century in the Punjab region of South Asia. The term "Sikh" has its origin in Sanskrit term शिष्य , meaning "disciple, student" or शिक्ष , meaning "instruction"...
temple and several church
Christian Church
The Christian Church is the assembly or association of followers of Jesus Christ. The Greek term ἐκκλησία that in its appearances in the New Testament is usually translated as "church" basically means "assembly"...
es of different denominations.
St Marks Road in northern Easton is a shopping street noted for its exuberant decoration and, like Mina Road in St Werburghs, the number of shops with sculpted shop signs hanging above their doors. There are a number of Moroccan and Indian subcontinent restaurants and shops specialising in organic and ethnic foods, further reinforcing the area's reputation as 'alternative'. The best known of these is the Bristol Sweetmart, a grocer and delicatessen that has expanded shop-by-shop over the years, its success mirroring the economic growth of the area. Its cafes also include Cafe Maitreya, one of Britain’s highest-rated vegetarian restaurants (by the Vegetarian Society
Vegetarian Society
The Vegetarian Society is a British registered charity established on 30 September 1847 to "support, represent and increase the number of vegetarians in the UK."-History:...
2004).
The northern Stapleton Rd area near the train station is also witnessing redevelopment and investment with a large Asian store opened in a derelict property.
Banksy
The name BanksyBanksy
Banksy is a pseudonymous England-based graffiti artist, political activist, film director, and painter.His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine irreverent dark humour with graffiti done in a distinctive stencilling technique...
is synonymous with Easton. There are several Banksy 'originals' in Easton although the council inadvertently blackwashed one and another has had a tin of paint thrown over it. This was possibly done in response to the house that the art was attached to being sold as a piece of Banksy graffiti with a house thrown in for free.
Transport
Easton has two railway stations, Lawrence HillLawrence Hill railway station
Lawrence Hill railway station serves the St. George area of Bristol, England as well as the surrounding suburbs of Easton, Barton Hill, Whitehall and Netham.The station is north of Bristol Temple Meads on the Severn Beach Line and is unmanned....
and Stapleton Road
Stapleton Road railway station
Stapleton Road railway station lies in the inner city area of Easton, Bristol, England.It is a railway station on the Severn Beach Line; although it is also served by hourly trains between Gloucester and Westbury....
, which are served by trains on the Severn Beach Line
Severn Beach Line
The Severn Beach Line is a local railway in Bristol, UK. It runs from Narroways Hill Junction to Severn Beach, and is the successor to the Bristol Port Railway and Pier, which ran from a Bristol terminus in the Avon Gorge to a station and pier on the Severn Estuary.Passenger trains run from Bristol...
plus services to and from Gloucester and South Wales. The main line to South Wales, the Midlands, Scotland and London also passes through Lawrence Hill and Stapleton Road, branching away from the Severn Beach line just north of Stapleton Road Station. The M32 motorway marks the border of Easton to the north. The A4032 dual carriageway
Dual carriageway
A dual carriageway is a class of highway with two carriageways for traffic travelling in opposite directions separated by a central reservation...
cuts the area in two.
Greenbank
GreenbankGreenbank, Bristol
Greenbank is a small informal district in the city of Bristol, England nestling between Easton to the south, Eastville to the west and north west, Fishponds, Clay Bottom and Rose Green to the north, and Whitehall to the east. It is however part of the official Easton Ward for elections...
lies in the north of Easton just south of Eastville. Greenbank has a gentrified air and the housing prices reflect this. Greenbank Cemetery is an oasis of calm amidst the inner city.
The residents have successfully fought against redevelopment of a closed chocolate factory into flats and houses. The Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory
Elizabeth Shaw (Confectionery Company)
Elizabeth Shaw is the trading name of a Greenbank, Bristol based company that markets chocolate-based confectionery, which includes the internationally known brands Famous Names chocolate liqueurs and Elizabeth Shaw after dinner mints...
was, in the eyes of local residents, a building that represented the industrial heritage of Bristol. The opposition to this redevelopment was supported by George Ferguson
George Ferguson (architect)
George Robin Paget Ferguson, CBE, PPRIBA, RWA is a British architect, who has made a significant contribution to architecture, town planning and design in the South West of England and Europe....
, whose vision turned the defunct tobacco factory
Tobacco Factory
The Tobacco Factory is the last remaining part of the old Wills Tobacco site on Raleigh Road, Southville, Bristol. It was saved from demolition by the architect George Ferguson and through his vision has become a model of urban regeneration...
in Bedminster into one of Bristol's leading venues.
Whitehall
Whitehall is a mainly residential area in the east of Bristol, which lies between the Easton, EastvilleEastville, Bristol
Eastville is the name of both a council ward in the city of Bristol in the United Kingdom and a suburb of the city that lies within that ward. The Eastville ward covers the areas of Eastville, Crofts End , Stapleton and part of Fishponds...
and St George
St George, Bristol
St. George is a district of Bristol, England on the edge of the inner city.- History :St George was originally outside the city boundary until about 1860. The area was once the end of the tram line from the city of Bristol, the terminus being in Beaconsfield Road.St...
areas of the city.