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: 30 new council homes and 540sqm of commercial / community space
- 4-16 Filwood Broadway: 18 new council homes and 460sqm of commercial / community space
- Refurbishment and expansion of Filwood Community Centre, including new Filwood Library
- re:Create Filwood public space improvements
- High street improvements and long term strategy
- A new Multi-Use Games Area at Filwood Playing Fields
Combining the former cinema site with land from behind the high street, Bristol City Council is building 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 autumn 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.
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.
To recognise the significant heritage value of the existing façade, designs reflect the existing art deco design with a re-built façade.
Artist Impression of 4-16 Filwood Broadway (Image: RCKa architects)
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.
Project Timeline
Initial demolition of unit 16 has taken place with the remainder of the parade to be demolished in late 2026 followed by commencement of construction of the new build in early 2027.
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
Local construction company commenced construction to refurbish and extend Filwood Community Centre in May 2025.
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 commenced in May 2025, with completion expected in autumn 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, detailed designs for the roadway changes are complete.
A Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) consultation summarising the proposed scheme design including changes to road spaces, kerbs, and cycle lanes, was launched in March 2026. The council then subsequently approved the TRO required to make the proposed changes.
Updated designs focus on the northern section of Filwood Broadway, north of Hartcliffe Road.
Approved changes include:
- Pedestrianising Barnstaple Road between Kinvara Road and Marwood Road and integrating the front of Filwood Community Centre into the green space and new paved market square.
- Introducing two-hour waiting restrictions, to the northern section of Filwood Broadway beyond Hartcliffe Road, to improve parking turnover for visitors to local shops and services.
- Creating new Disabled and loading parking bays to support accessibility and local businesses.
- Adding road humps to slow down vehicles and make the area safer for all road users.
Any changes to the southern section will only come forward if further funding is secured. If funding becomes available, plans for the southern section will be developed and consulted on in the future, including a review of the parking arrangements set to be introduced in the first phase.
For more details on the updated plans view the council’s summary.
Proposed design to improve Filwood public realm (Image: Bristol City Council)
Project Timeline
A procurement process to appoint a highways construction contractor is due to be launched in summer 2026 with works scheduled to start in autumn 2026 and completion expected in 2027.
This project includes physical shopfront improvement works, alongside a long-term strategy for the high street.
Filwood Broadway shopfronts – before (image: Scott Pigott)
Background
A locally based consultant team led by Architecture 00, alongside George Lovesmith, Uninvited Guests and Studio Mothership worked with local businesses and stakeholders to design and implement shop improvements alongside creating a long term community led high street strategy and action plan.
Following design development with each of the business owners, physical shop improvement works took place over summer 2025. To explore the transformed frontages and read profiles of the business owners visit the FilwoodBroadway.com webpage.
Filwood Broadway shopfronts – after (Image: Paul Blakemore)
Filwood Broadway High Street Action Plan
The Filwood Broadway High Street Action Plan outlines a shared vision for a thriving community-led high street at Filwood Broadway. Developed by the council, Architecture 00, George Lovesmith and Studio Mothership alongside the Filwood Broadway Action Team of local residents, community groups and businesses, the plan sets out the short, medium and long-term goals for the high street and the actions needed to achieve them.
Watch this High Street Action Plan video for a summary of the Plan and how you can get involved:
The Action Plan goals are shaped around three key priorities that emerged across 13 workshops with the Filwood Broadway Action Team, including;
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Supporting the local economy
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Building a clearer lettings process
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Catering to the needs of young people
Specific goals and actions have been identified to meet these priorities, such as testing new ideas with pop-up events by local businesses or working with landlords to create a shared letting strategy for commercial units.
To help deliver the plan, grant funding has been provided to a local community organisation to hire a part-time Community Connector and create a Community Chest fund. The Community Connector will work with the Action Team to oversee the Plan's delivery and manage the fund to support community events and boost the high street's economic growth.
Project Timeline
Shop improvement works completed in 2025 and Community Connector in post. Contact Alex Dibble on alex.dibble@kwalliance.co.uk if you’d like to find out more about the high street improvements or get involved.
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 have developed proposals for a sports and educational hub at Filwood Playing Fields. View full scheme designs on the Planning Portal: 26/11425/F.
The council has worked with Bristol City Robins Foundation to incorporate a publicly accessible MUGA on the site.
Filwood Playing Fields aeriel view (Image: Bristol City Council)
Next Steps
Bristol City Robins Foundation are awaiting determination of the planning application and if approved, they will then progress with appointing a construction contractor before starting construction works.
A Public Art programme led by Knowle West Media Centre, with support from the council's Arts Development Team took place in 2025. The appointed artist in residency team, Linzy Na Nakorn and Rachel Clerke delivered a year-long residency holding a series of events and public art projects at Filwood Broadway high street.
Filwood Playing Fields aeriel view (Image: Bristol City Council)
The pair were in residence in the empty shop at 8 Filwood Broadway creating opportunities for the community to connect socially, to share stories and create. View the Filwood In Motion Archive to find information, photos, video and audio documenting the artworks and events created by the artist and community members.
Filwood in Motion Broadway bilbord. Left: Linzy Na Nakorn, right: Rachael Clerke (Image: Ibi Feher)
Next Steps
Ideas and recommendations formed throughout Filwood In Motion will inform future investment in public art across the regeneration of Filwood Broadway.
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.