Patagonia Opens Second UK Store In Bristol
This week, Patagonia opened its second brand store in the UK; the new Bristol shop aims to combine retail with community events and promotion. In March, the Coal Action Network and Protect Our Winters are set to host events, prior the grand opening in April.
Patagonia store, Bristol by Jody Daunton
Press Release:
Patagonia Opens In Bristol
On February 13, 2020, Patagonia has opened its new space in Bristol, designed to be both a retail store and a hub for activist and outdoor sports communities in the city. The 280 sqm store, at 81 Park Street, carries apparel for outdoor sports including climbing, snowsports, surfing and trail running. It will host regular community events such as film screenings and public talks and will feature works from local Bristol artists.
Patagonia is working urgently to find solutions to the environmental crisis, a continuation of the work it started when the company was founded by Yvon Chouinard in 1973. The California outdoor brand changed its mission statement in 2018 to, “We’re in business to save our home planet,” to reflect the urgency of the planetary crisis.
Still independently owned today and a certified B Corporation, the company is recognised internationally for its commitment to product quality and environmental activism — and its contributions of more than $110 million in grants and in-kind donations to grassroots environmental groups.
Patagonia has 10 existing retail stores across Europe and is stocked in over 1,200 multi-brand stores. This latest edition will join the existing Manchester store as the company’s second mono-brand destination in the UK.
Ryan Gellert, General Manager, EMEA, Patagonia, comments: “At Patagonia, over the course of our company’s history, we have brought a strong commitment to environmental advocacy to every action we take, from switching to organic cotton and recycled polyester in the 1990s to launching Patagonia Action Works, in Europe, in 2019. Opening our new home in Bristol gives us the opportunity to strengthen relationships with our community of passionate outdoorspeople and local activists and NGOs in this dynamic, progressive city.”
As with all Patagonia locations, the 81 Park Street site was chosen due to its historic nature and work has been done to preserve the integrity of the building, honouring its surrounding history and culture.
A programme of environmental and sports events will take place throughout the spring, with launch highlights including:
- 12 March: Local NGO and 1% for the Planet grantee Coal Action Network will host an evening on coal mining in the UK
- 19 March: Protect Our Winters UK general manager Lauren MacCallum hosts an evening of Snow Activism
- 26 March: Big Bang movie screening with British climber Emma Twyford and filmmaker David Petts
- 2-4 April: grand opening weekend (launch party on 2 April)
There will also be events around Patagonia Action Works and 1% for the Planet, the mechanism by which Patagonia donates 1% of all sales to grassroots organisations working towards the preservation and restoration of the natural environment.
