Beck Prior set up the independent shop, workshop, gallery and community hub in 2019, and now it’s in the running to be the UK’s favourite local business
15/12/2022
A shop that showcases work by 150 sustainable designers in Bristol city centre has been nominated in a nationwide search to find the UK’s favourite local business.
Prior, which is a registered living wage employer, an advocate for the Good Employment Charter and a Bristol Sustainable Impact Champion, is located in Cabot Circus, and was set up by Beck Prior as a result of a life changing illness.
“After having a bone marrow transplant and getting better, I developed my practice as a product designer. In 2018 an opportunity came up to take on a shop in Old Market. I thought it would be a workshop space but once I had the keys and opened the doors, I saw it as an opportunity to bring people together in a creative way.
“I’ve always been interested in merging high design with sustainable materials. Often you’ll get the high design but it’s not responsibly made, or handmade ‘eco’ products that look overtly green. I reached out to some other designers and Prior was born in 2019. Prior stocks contemporary, consciously made, sustainable products, and most are made locally. We also run workshops and hold talks, all in a city centre space.’
“We also funded a local photography exhibition, featuring portrait photographs of different business owners and a QR code linking to more information about them. I’m speechless at being nominated for this award. I still get goosebumps when I look around and see what our team has created. I’m so proud that others see Prior as a welcoming, comfortable community space in Bristol.”
Prior is also part of The Love Bristol Gift Card, an initiative to champion local businesses in Bristol, led by the three central Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) which launched in the summer, and can be spent with over 150 Bristol businesses. Available as a physical paper card, or as a digital card that can be uploaded to digital wallets, the card is a more sustainable gifting option.
Bristol City Centre BID, Redcliffe & Temple BID and Broadmead BID are encouraging people to keep on voting for their favourite Bristol business:
The Love Bristol Gift Card is part of the Town & City Gift Card initiative active across the UK and Ireland. Town & City Gift Cards is sponsoring the Help Us Find The UK’s Favourite Local Business competition.
Any local business can be nominated, with the business receiving the most votes being crowned as the UK’s favourite. The UK’s favourite business, and one person who nominated them, will receive £500 of gift cards.
Vote for Prior or any other Bristol business for free at www.lovelocalwin.co.uk.
Voting closes on the 21st December 2022.
