People’s Republic of Stokes Croft

It doesn’t get more Bristol that the People Republic of Stokes Croft. These guys ooze Bristol passion from everything they do, and everything they do is awesome! If you haven’t been before, then you must. Immediately!
The shop is based on Jamaica Street and is jammed packed of Bristol branded china and art. They are the main distributor of Stokes Croft China, situated next door, and sell any type of crockery you could wish for: plates, mugs, cups, saucers, serving plates — you name it, it’s there, with Bristol written all over it.
I’ve bought a few mugs from here and really want to buy a (roughly) 2ft wooden cut out of the Bear Pit bear. It’s really cool!
While Bristol is printed on a lot of their items, the PRST are all about the Stokes Croft and preventing its gentrification and ultimate demise. These guys live and breath the Croft and they want to make sure it doesn’t change or get taken over by big businesses. Which is pretty awesome!
If you’ve moved into a new house and want some crockery or looking for a present for someone — go no further!

The Peoples Republic of Stokes Croft was a state of affairs that was declared when i first came to Bristol a few years ago. It’s announcement was made public when a graffitied sign to this effect was painted on Turbo Island.
Since then, the people behind it have grown increasingly collaborative and inclusive, consolidating their position, and expanding their sphere of influence. Comprised of a group of ever changing creatives, committed to keeping things real and overtly questioning convention, their influence in Bristol has been significant.
More recently they have converted some of the space that they occupy on Jamaica Street into a gallery and meeting space, (the Jamaica Street Studios, located on the stretch of street that meets Stokes Croft at Turbo island). This beautiful space is currently occupied by a multi-​artist exhibition that is being run on a truly innovative basis. They are calling it a ‘dutch auction’, which it is in a sense, as it allows bidders to tussle with each other over the pieces they pay for the pieces. Each exhibit was displayed at its optimal price, which have systematically been reduced at specific intervals over a set period of time. It is possible to stop this process by agreeing to pay for the item at the published price, which, for example, will have been twice discounted already, two weeks into the exhibition. Alternatively, you can allow the pieces to be further reduced before you opt to buy it, but of course you then run the risk of someone else marching in and guzumping you. It’s even possible to put your name and contact details on the forms posted next to the exhibits, showing your intent to purchase it when the prices reduces to the level specified, (or more likely, you start a bidding war). It’s a bit like eBay, but infinitely more ingenious, and a whole lot more creative!
In addition to the exhibition there’s product that’s permanently on sale. Cool gifts for people that you really like! Graffitied porcelain cups, and others depicting iconic PROSC graphics. There’s even decorated toilets in the window… fantastic!
If you haven’t visited this place, you must! It’s incredibly inspirational, and offers a wealth of information about things that are so inherently Bristolian, that you simply can’t afford to ignore it.

The PRSC is a really interesting cultural project based in the area of Stokes Croft in Bristol, which is also known as Bristol’s ‘cultural quarter’. The founder of the organisation, Chris Chalkley, does loads of volunteer work for the community and for the maintenance of its cultural and artistic value. There have been a lot of potential projects for housing redevelopments in the area, and one of their main aims has been to keep this to a minimum so as to stop the area from being over developed and losing its authentic value.
If you feel strongly about the project or just want to help then there’s merchandise available on their site — they are also always seeking volunteers, so pop into the office and have a word with them. I wrote a journal article on this organisation and did a few interviews, and they are a great friendly bunch of people with strong spirits so will be happy to hear from you!
I’d also definitely note that if you’re interested in local paintings and art work, then there is often quite a variety on sale to buy — most of it is pretty quirky and has a graffiti inspired style, very cool and quirky and also affordable, and by purchasing this work you are doing your bit for keeping the area’s culture alive!

The PRSC is at one and the same time a hip and urban area totally revered by its inhabitants and a smaller gallery HQ which holds some brilliant exhibitions of local artists’ work. Banksy had his part to play in putting Stokey on the map, with several art works that have attracted international attention. Now the area is home to loads of great not for profit co-​operatives, a plethora of cafes and art spaces and same great late night bars. At the HQ in Jamaica St there is a fantastic selection which really gives you the local flavour — from highly decorated toilets to Stokes Croft china. And when I went in they were holding a Dutch auction for the various art works adorning the walls. This is where the artist suggests a starting price and it then descends daily for two weeks while the work is displayed to a reserve price. I was really tempted to bid as some of the art was really cool. Some people say Stokes Croft is seedy and rough but I think it is such a vibrant and happening place– I far prefer it to the posho land of Clifton.

Since my time as a student Stokes Croft has undergone huge developments, not from the council or property developers but local artists and not-​for-​profit organisations such as the PRSC.
Their HQ is next door to the Jamaica Street Studios and holds regular community exhibitions, that anyone can submit work to, with the money raised split between artist and organisation. The work done by these volunteers has helped Stokes Croft to blossom into a mix of graffiti covered walls and café culture, earning it the nickname of Bristol’s cultural quarter.
The PRSC are actively involved in the upkeep of the area, helping set up and retain local businesses and encouraging new artwork. Their team colours are black and yellow and in a bid to brighten up the area Chris Chalky and his gang of volunteers have even gone and painted every public litter bin in a cheerful shade of bright yellow.
I’ve been here for exhibitions, free art workshops and local talks. It is a fantastic organisation and is genuine its promotion and passion of the local community and the area in which it resides.

In the five years I’ve spent in Bristol, Stokes Croft has changed beyond recognition. Previously more down at heel than artsy, while it retains its seedy massage parlours and legions of Special Brew-​streaked homeless, it’s now swiftly morphing into a creative hub.
This is largely thanks to the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft initiative, which is as impressive a ground up community organisation as you’ll see anywhere. Masterminded by economics graduate Chris Chalkley, it fuses the cultural with the politcal with the artistic.
A range of appealing new businesses have opened up in its wake, such as The Canteen, Left Bank Centre or Zazu’s Kitchen; regular painting sessions are organised to brighten up the drab inner city streets and cultural activities are strongly promoted along with the organisation’s message of social justice and community regeneration.
I’m sure the upcoming years will only serve to bring even more exciting changes to the area.

Stokes Croft. I love it. I can see why some people don’t, but to me it’s by far the most interesting and vibrant area in the whole of Bristol. I’ve never been anywhere quite like it. The PRSC does a great job in promoting the diversity of the area, as well as keeping the world up to date with all of the goings on via their website, blog and youtube channel. It’s worth checking out — recently there have been videos posted documenting the squatting action taking place in the old Jesters building, in protest against the newly proposed Tescos, as well as some footage of the recent open mic night at the Junction and an interview with graffiti artist, Epok, as he paints a wall in the Croft. It’s constantly updated and some of the stuff is really interesting — notably some interviews with a few of the homeless characters who inhabit Turbo Island — giving people a chance to see how they got there and how they feel about their situation. If you’re at all interested in the area, then the PRSC site is your one stop guide.

A few years ago Stokes Croft, the surrounding district, developed its own political body the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft. Under their belt are some pretty enormous achievements such as turning derelict buildings into functioning art and craft spaces, and driving out large corporations trying to set up business.
The shop, PRSC is their local HQ. This is a space for anyone interested in local politics. The wealth of information they can provide on individual rights is second to none. Anyone interested in defending, improving or just getting involved with their local community would do well to stop by here. The shop also sells china ware and other crafts made in the local area, the funds of which go toward their current community actions.

Stokes Croft is an inner city residential area. It’s not the nicest of areas, and historically has a pretty bad reputation for crime, bad events, and a place for the homeless to populate. The dilapidated and disused buildings don’t help this image at all — but those buildings themselves are a part of Bristol’s skyline (not for much longer, I hear many rumours about redevelopment plans and compulsory buy-​outs and the like).
The people’s republic of Stoke’s Croft, or PRSC, endeavours to make the area better and harness some of its cultural richness in a positive way. Grafitti has always been a big issue in the area, but the PRSC are turning this on its head and providing official legal spaces for artists to spray as they choose and see fit. This has resulted in some really amazing artwork along the stretch of road. There’s definitely a feeling of change in the area, with many new businesses opening over the past year, and the PRSC are making a massive contribution to the regeneration of the neighbourhood.

Stokes Croft: a gift and a curse to Bristol’s culture. On one hand, this area of town is dodgy as they come, with antisocial behaviour and crime, this is a threatening place to be if you’re alone and feeling vulnerable, especially towards the St James Roundabout.
On the other hand, Stokes Croft is a gem. Full of artists and musicians, businesses like venues, cafes and arts centres are rapidly growing, what with Hamilton House, the Left Bank Centre, Metropolis and Café Kino all newly developing.
When I miss Bristol, I miss places like Stokes Croft, but also can feel a little unsafe walking around there. It’s definitely worth a visit. This is Bristol as much as Clifton is.

Stokes Croft is a sliver of land between the suburbs Kingsdown and Bishopston and inner city St. Pauls. It’s definitely not the prettiest of areas. In fact it’s pretty grey and depressing, with a fair few boarded up shops and a constant stream of cars roaring through on their way home or into the centre of Bristol.
Possibly because people want to counter the dullness of the place some amazing grafitti has popped up here, which the grandly named People’s Republic of Stokes Croft have claimed responsibility for. Some of the murals are beautiful (which of course are liable to change or get wiped out by the council without any notice) and I think it’s a brave attempt to bring a little colour to what is a drab part of Bristol. There isn’t yet a walking tour, but I can imagine one popping up — Bristol’s urban art has been attracting a lot of interest recently. It’s easy enough to see the sites by one’s self though — a wonder along Jamaica Street and the road Stokes Croft itself should mean you see a few interesting sites.
Their website reveals them as a fairly serious bunch. They have maps, ambitions to be some sort of official community group, and a mission statement that says they want to promote Stokes Croft as a ‘cultural quarter’. I hope they go from strength to strength and continue to brighten up Stokes Croft. That their chairman Chris Chalkley was arrested for painting a ‘Welcome to Stokes Croft’ sign shows they’ve got a way to go before everyone comes round to this view.