Update

Background

Caring in Bristol is a signatory on an open letter to Bristol City Council which has been drafted by Shelter Bristol. The letter asks the council to act in relation to Imperial Apartments (BS13), which is a privately owned, large residential development. The site is a former office block, converted under permitted development rights (granted by the government), which in this case means flats are smaller than the usual minimum space standards ("Nationally Described Space Standards," prior to changes in April 2021). The letter, which raises serious concerns, can be read and supported by signing it on Shelter's website…

read and sign SHELTER'S LETTER

Caring in Bristol has direct experience of working in Imperial Apartments. Since 2021, we have delivered a weekly Bristol Goods pop-up food club service, attended by over 280 residents during that time. We have supported and advocated for many of our members, on a range of issues that have affected their housing security; including lack of space, disrepair, and high energy bills. Among these, our staff have raised concerns about residents they have worked with who have support needs that cannot be met by Imperial Apartments.

Additional Concerns

We endorse the letter published by Shelter Bristol, which is written on behalf of a group of parents that they support. We would also like to highlight our additional concerns, based on our experience as the only independent support service that has consistently provided a regular presence in the building since it opened.

We understand that:

• Issues raised affect adult only households living there as well as families.
• More support for all residents living there would significantly reduce the housing insecurity they are experiencing

Ways Forward

We believe that there are measures that could be put into place beyond those suggested by Shelter, some of them quick wins that could make an immediate difference for the wellbeing of current and future residents, and reduce the risk of this leading to increased risk of homelessness.

Our suggestions are:

• A fully informed and transparent lettings process to ensure suitability for the tenant
• Ensure resettlement plans are offered for new residents referred by Bristol City Council, and support plans for existing residents where higher support needs are identified by Bristol City Council, Caridon, or another agency
• A support strategy in collaboration with external agencies to deliver a regular support and advice hub.
• Improved, well-resourced community spaces around the building with a schedule of shared activities to enable residents to build relationships

We welcome an opportunity to discuss these, and would be happy to support the residents we work with to contribute other ideas.

Our wish is for a solution-focused approach that discovers and centres the needs of all residents at Imperial Apartments. This can only be done with the participation and commitment of all involved, and Caring in Bristol is fully prepared to share our learning and collaborate to support this process.

You can read and support the Shelter letter by signing it on their website - link below...

 read and sign SHELTER'S LETTER

Update (August 2025)

Since the publication of this news piece, Caring in Bristol staff have met with staff at Imperial Apartments to discuss and initiate support for residents, and to initiate the provision of additional resources. This work will continue based on the needs of the people that we work alongside.