Working with the local residents and community organisations, we've developed plans to create positive change in Filwood. The goal is to transform Filwood into a creative, vibrant, and thriving destination where people want to dine, shop and play.
In January 2023, Filwood was awarded £14.5m from the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund and £1.72m from Bristol City Council to invest in projects in six key projects identified in the pdf Filwood Broadway Framework(7.90 MB) .
Alongside funding for new homes via the council's housing development programme, a further £30m will be invested in the Broadway as part of these projects.
There are 6 individual projects in the "Transforming Filwood Broadway Levelling Up project":
- Former Filwood Cinema Mixed Use Development
- Westside Development (4 to 16 Filwood Broadway)
- Filwood Community Centre Expansion and Refurbishment, including a new Filwood Library
- re:Create Filwood Public Space
- Filwood High Street Improvements
- New Multi-Use Games Area
Combining the former cinema site with land from behind the high street, Bristol City Council will create a new development of thirty affordable homes, including 24 for Social Rent and six for Shared Ownership. Construction started on this site in November 2024.
The development includes two ground floor units suitable for retail or community use, and the larger retail unit (480sqm) is identified as being suitable for a small supermarket.
View from Filwood Broadway of proposed mixed use development (Image: Lifshulz Davidson Sandilands)
Project Timeline
Construction started in November 2024 and is due to complete in summer 2026.
Find Out More
If you have any queries about the development or would like to find out more, email: housing.development.hra@bristol.gov.uk
The deteriorated shops and housing in this parade of properties acts as a barrier for investment in the high street, so the fund will be used to bring forward better shops and housing.
What are we looking to do?
The team, led by architects RCKa with a locally-based subconsultant team, have considered if it would be practical to retain and retrofit the existing building, however this is not possible. The rebuild option will have a greater amount of high-quality commercial spaces and homes, lower carbon levels per person, and lower costs and risks.
We recognise the significant heritage value of the existing façade, so we are proposing to clearly reflect the existing art deco design with a re-built façade.
Following an engagement event and online survey held in September 2024, designs have been reconsidered and updated to incorporate community feedback. A planning application for the demolition and rebuild of 4-16 was submitted in November 2024 and was granted subject to conditions on 9 June 2025.
The plans include 400sqm of shops or community uses on the ground floor, 18 new, affordable homes, and a private, communal amenity space for residents. The sustainable low carbon homes include a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom flats.
Affordable housing is a term for houses that are rented or sold at less than market rates. Affordable housing is for people in housing need who cannot afford to buy or rent on the private market. There are eligibility criteria for people needing an affordable home in Bristol.
It can include social rented housing, shared ownership and other similar schemes. Read more information about types of affordable housing.
Background
This refurbishment and expansion project will transform Filwood Community Centre into a more welcoming, spacious and eco-friendly place to be.
More than half of the investment from the Levelling Up Fund will be spent on improving the community building. Architect's Hayhurst and Co. have worked alongside a wider design team and Community in Partnership Knowle West to bring this project to life, with planning approval granted for the proposed designs in October 2024.
The approved plans include the retrofit and expansion of the existing building, providing 75% more floor space to the community centre including a new space for Filwood Library and a public living room.
Full scheme designs on the Planning Portal: 24/02421/FB
Proposals for Filwood Community Centre. Image Courtesy: Hayhurst and Co. (2024)
Next Steps
Following a six-month procurement process, Bray and Slaughter were selected in April 2025 to refurbish and extend Filwood Community Centre. Bray and Slaughter submitted the highest quality bid and demonstrated a significant commitment to investing in the local community.
The Community Centre team and tenants have moved to temporary premises whilst the construction works take place, with Community In Partnership Knowle West now based at 15-19 Filwood Broadway (former Re:Work shop next to Mayfair).
The existing library will maintain its current location on the Broadway until the completion of the works.
Project Timeline
Main works start in May 2025, with completion expected in summer 2026.
Filwood Broadway will have the roadway, pavements and greenspaces improved to make it safer, pedestrian friendly, and a place where people will want to visit, shop and spend time.
Background
The first phase of work included a new children's playground at the top of the Broadway. The design was developed in collaboration with children from Christ the King School and opened in November 2023.
The new playground at the top of Filwood Broadway (Image: Bristol City Council)
Children from Christ the King School who designed the new playpark at the top of Filwood Broadway celebrate its opening (Image: Bristol City Council)
Following three years of co-design and engagement with the local community, future improvements have undergone detailed design, road safety audits and quality assurance reviews.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation summarising the proposed scheme design including changes to road spaces, kerbs, and cycle lanes, was launched in March 2025. Following closure of the consultation in April, the TRO team are reviewing feedback before advising on next steps.
Proposed design to improve Filwood public realm (Image: Bristol City Council)
Project Timeline
A procurement process to appoint a highways construction contractor launched in April 2025, with works scheduled to start in summer 2025 and completion expected in autumn 2026.
Get Involved
If you would like to share any comments or join any future Public Realm Working Group meetings, email FilwoodLUF@bristol.gov.uk for more information.
This project includes physical shopfront improvement works, alongside a long-term strategy for the high street.
Background
A locally based consultant team led by Architecture 00, alongside George Lovesmith, Uninvited Guests and Studio Mothership have been working with local businesses and stakeholders to define the scope of the high streets improvements. This will include:
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physical improvement works to the shop units on the east side (Mayfair and Sandwich Stop side) including new signage, repairs and artwork
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business start-up support, events and pilot projects
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long-term community led high street strategy and action plan
Following an application process with Broadway businesses the scope of the shop unit improvements was defined by a local panel and businesses are working with the team to design to physical improvements.
Project Timeline
Improvement works are expected to start on site in summer 2025 with completion by autumn 2025.
A programme of pop-ups and events will take place in 2025 to test ideas and inform the High Street Strategy.
Background
The old swimming pool and existing Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) site at Filwood Broadway (opposite Filwood Library) is intended to be a housing-led development site. To replace the existing MUGA, a new MUGA is planned for Filwood Playing Fields.
Bristol City Robins Foundation have secured a transfer of the Filwood Playing Fields land and are committed to ensuring the site remains a dedicated space for sport, education, and community activity.
The council is working with Bristol City Robins Foundation to deliver a publicly accessible MUGA on the site.
Filwood Playing Fields aeriel view (Image: Bristol City Council)
Next Steps
Bristol City Robins Foundation are currently developing masterplan proposals for the Filwood Playing Fields site and plan to hold local community engagement events about these proposals.
Construction of the MUGA is planned for early 2026.
A Public Art programme led by Knowle West Media Centre, with support from the council's Arts Development Team, will deliver a series of events and public art projects at Filwood Broadway high street.
The appointed artist in residency team, Linzy Na Nakorn and Rachel Clerke will be delivering a year-long residency and developing a public art strategy for Filwood Broadway.
Filwood Playing Fields aeriel view (Image: Bristol City Council)
The pair will be in residence in the empty shop at 8 Filwood Broadway creating opportunities for the community to connect socially, to share stories and create in this space. Alongside this, the team will be documenting local conversations through their fortnightly community-led podcast, Writ Large, and holding events and pop-ups.
Filwood in Motion Broadway bilbord. Left: Linzy Na Nakorn, right: Rachael Clerke (Image: Ibi Feher)
To find out more about upcoming events or listen to the latest podcast episode visit: Filwood in motion
The Filwood Communications and Engagement Strategy outlines the principles that will be followed across all comms and engagement activities conducted by the council, Delivery Teams and Community Partner organisations throughout the delivery of regeneration projects in Filwood.
The Filwood Comms and Engagement Working Group made up of local residents, Knowle West Alliance (KWA), Knowle West Media Centre (KWMC) and Community In Partnership Knowle West (CIPKW) have voluntarily (not funded) worked together to shape and define this strategy. The group will work with Bristol City Council (BCC) to monitor and implement the strategy throughout programme delivery.