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Bristol News by HANA - Edition 72
Bristol Bites: Ape-like behaviour?
From our Editor,
Gorillas. Magnificent beasts. From silverbacks to little ones who make grown-ups secretly sob while watching them on the telly (er, including me).
Bristol and wider Britain have a well-earned reputation for vigorously supporting animal welfare. We love our mammalian cousins.
And yet some morons decided to tarnish that reputation.
An eight-strong troop of gorillas were harassed at their enclosure at the now-closed Bristol Zoo Gardens by idiotic trespassers. Fortunately, these sublime creatures will soon be safe in the new African Forest habitat, thanks to the Bristol Zoo Project.
But the fact is, their welfare was put at risk by the selfish actions of a few humans who do not deserve to be described as Bristolians. Distressing gorillas is simply not cool. In fact, it’s criminal.
Youngsters would do well to look up Sir David Attenborough’s iconic encounter with these great apes four and a half decades ago.
Bold, brave, beguiling. And that’s not just Sir David. It’s the gorillas, too.
Rhidian Wynn Davies | Editor in Chief
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Scroll down for best of Instagram, sport, property news and more things to do in Bristol this weekend…
Best Articles From Bristol This Week
as chosen by our editors
Bristol Zoo gorillas relocated to their new African enclosure BBC News - February 12, 2026 A troop of eight critically-endangered gorillas has successfully relocated to their new African Forest habitat at the Bristol Zoo Project after being cared for at the now-closed Bristol Zoo Gardens since 2022. Concerns about their welfare arose when trespassers broke in, leading to distressing incidents and increased break-ins, but the zoo reassured the public that the gorillas were always meant to stay until their new enclosure was complete. |
Man, 30, found guilty of sexually abusing five children at Bristol nursery The Guardian - February 9, 2026 Nathan Bennett, a 30-year-old nursery worker in Bristol, was convicted of sexually abusing five children, including rape, after parents raised concerns about his behavior. The case has prompted an independent review of safeguarding practices at the nursery, with families expressing devastation over the betrayal of trust. |
Could Bristol's tram network return after eight decades? BBC News - February 11, 2026 Bristol's transportation history is marked by the rise and fall of its tram system since 1875, with recent efforts to enhance public transit through investments in rail and a new £60 million airport interchange. Despite these advancements, Bristol remains one of the largest UK cities without a mass transit network, as local leaders aim to boost public transport usage amid ongoing plans for trams and light rail. |
UK chipmaker Fractile invests £100 million to expand AI chip production in Bristol AnewZ - February 11, 2026 British chipmaker Fractile is set to invest £100 million over the next three years to expand its AI hardware operations, including a new engineering facility in Bristol. This initiative aims to bolster domestic engineering capabilities and position the UK as a leader in advanced semiconductor innovation for complex AI models. |
Man stamped on in 'shocking' attack at Bristol community centre Yahoo News - February 12, 2026 A man in his 60s suffered facial injuries after an unprovoked assault at the Southmead Community Centre in Bristol on November 8. Avon and Somerset Police are seeking information about a suspect captured on CCTV, urging witnesses from that night’s skittles match to come forward. |
Bristol Beacon opens applications for trailblazing Festival & Carnival Lab 2026 programme tackling diversity gap in UK live events Bristol Beacon has relaunched its initiative to empower the next generation of Black live events professionals, offering training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance diversity in the industry. Aspiring candidates can now apply to gain essential skills and connect with established experts in event management. |
Bristol's apprentices celebrated as the future of the defence industry GOV.UK - February 13, 2026 During National Apprenticeship Week, Defence Minister Luke Pollard highlighted the UK's commitment to apprenticeships in the defence sector, with plans for 25,000 roles by 2025 and Babcock aiming for 1,600 new positions by 2026. This initiative, backed by a £182 million investment, focuses on critical fields such as cyber security and submarine engineering, while also enhancing social mobility and supporting local SMEs. |
Fifth man charged with murder after fatal Bristol stabbing BBC News - February 11, 2026 A fifth suspect, Yahaye Ali, 20, has been charged with murder following the fatal stabbing of Leon Phillips, 47, in Bristol on February 2. Ali is set to appear at Bristol Magistrates' Court facing charges of murder and possession of a bladed article. |
Cardiff Airport subsidy called 'unlawful' by Bristol at tribunal BBC News - February 8, 2026 Bristol Airport is challenging the Welsh government's proposed £205.2 million subsidy for Cardiff Airport, arguing it could breach competition rules and unfairly attract passengers away from Bristol. The Welsh government defends the investment as essential for economic growth and enhancing airport facilities. |
Four Bristol burger spots among finalists for national awards Yahoo News - February 13, 2026 Bristol's culinary scene shines as Danny's Burgers, Dodo Pub Co, Mollie's, and Oowee Diner compete in the prestigious 2026 National Burger Awards in London on March 24, showcasing their unique recipes and skills alongside 16 top chefs from across the UK. The event promises exciting challenges, including a plant-based burger round and the Great Shake Challenge, highlighting the best of British burger culture. |
Best Of Instagram
Property News
The most expensive big cities to buy a house in the UK outside London The Week UK - August 18, 2021 London remains the UK's priciest city for property, with average house prices surpassing £526,000, while cities like Cambridge and Oxford follow close behind. Amidst a housing market revival driven by low mortgage rates and increased property availability, Belfast and Sheffield stand out as affordable options among the top 15 cities. |
News | Swiss sensor company buys Bristol industrial property Costar - Baumer Group, the Swiss industrial technology manufacturer, has acquired a 15,367-square-foot facility in North America as part of its expansion strategy to enhance operational capabilities and service offerings in the region. This investment underscores Baumer's commitment to innovation and meeting growing market demands while strengthening its presence in North America. |
House prices on new South Bristol development slashed after a few months on sale Yahoo News - February 13, 2026 Home prices in The Fosseway development, Hengrove, have dropped significantly, with a three-bedroom house falling from £460,000 to £425,000 and a two-bedroom from £350,000 to £325,000, raising concerns about demand. Despite local backlash and the inclusion of affordable housing, Vistry has not commented on potential remedies for buyers affected by these price declines. |
Pop culture brand set to open at Cribbs in Bristol UK Property Forums - February 8, 2026 Miniso has signed a 10-year lease for a 2,300 sq ft unit at Bristol's Cribbs shopping centre, while Skechers is expanding to a new 4,700 sq ft space, both targeting the growing Gen Z market. Katie Searle from Sovereign Centros praised these innovative brands for enhancing the retail experience in one of the UK's largest regional malls. |
Bristol tenants to be evicted so land can offset housing BBC News - February 6, 2026 Steve Hawkins, a tenant of nearly 50 years, is devastated by the council's decision to evict him and other tenants from grazing land in Brislington to make way for a controversial housing development, raising concerns about the welfare of his horses. With over 250 objections filed against the plans, conservationists argue that the eviction is premature and emphasize the importance of maintaining appropriate grazing as a conservation strategy. |
Homes left without water and schools shut after ‘very large’ pipe bursts The Independent - February 6, 2026 A major water main burst has left many households in Bristol and parts of Gloucestershire without water, prompting school closures and the establishment of bottled water distribution hubs that quickly ran out of stock. Bristol Water is actively investigating the incident and rerouting supplies while providing updates to affected customers. |
Property Connect Networking Event Bristol FMJ - February 10, 2026 Join us on 12 March 2026 at The Slug and Lettuce in Bristol for the Property Connect event, where property professionals from construction, facilities management, and design can network and share insights in a relaxed setting. This monthly gathering offers a unique opportunity to connect with peers and expand your industry contacts! |
209,000 sq ft logistics unit secured at Axis Works in Bristol UK Property Forums - February 12, 2026 Epta Development Corporation and Stoford are developing a 209,319 sq ft last-mile logistics unit at Axis Works in Bristol, aiming for EPC A and BREEAM ‘Very Good’ standards, with completion expected by October 2026. The project features modern sustainability initiatives such as photovoltaic panels and EV charging, highlighting the site's appeal to top-tier occupiers due to its excellent connectivity. |
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Databox
What’s Bristol like? Or, perhaps, which other UK areas are most like Bristol? Thanks to the boffins at the Office for National Statistics, we can tell you!
Here’s the Top 20 “most like Bristol”:
Cardiff
Leeds
Newcastle
Southampton
Portsmouth
Norwich
Crawley
Salford
Exeter
Southend-on-Sea
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
Brighton and Hove
Medway
Reading
Stockport
Glasgow City
Cheltenham
Bath and North East Somerset
Greenwich
Trafford
Ok. All lovely places in which to live and work. In which to study. Good places in which to raise families. But what makes them (statistically) so similar? Thanks for your patience, we’re getting to the interesting bit now.
According to the ONS, this cluster of local authorities has high levels of Gross Value Added (an economic productivity metric), weekly pay, digital connectivity and population density. Basically, relatively rich, busy places.
These areas also have a low proportion of white residents (note to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire controller of Manchester United FC and the man who claims that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants”). Other similarities include a low dependency ratio and relatively low employment in construction and manufacturing.
So, these areas create wealth and don’t tend to claim benefits. But they also don’t appear to build or make anything. Amazing places in which to live - if you don’t want to get your hands dirty.
But the standout stat has to be that Bristol is most similar to Cardiff. The faux hostility between the rivers Avon and Taff is a myth. We all appear to be in very similar boats. Perhaps Bristolians should learn to speak Welsh. Good luck to any Welsh folk trying to speak Brizzle.
Source: ONS Similarity Index
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Sport
Bristol Bears
Exeter Chiefs duly wrought revenge over the Bears in the Prem Cup after Bristol’s gruelling 8-3 league win at their place.
Last Saturday’s 46-35 victory for the Chiefs at Ashton Gate was an entertaining try-fest. But one gets the feeling the Bears aren’t taking the Cup too seriously, especially with key players on Six Nations duty. The league remains the priority.
Bristol lie firmly at the foot of the Prem Cup table in their pool.
Bristol City
Amazing! City pulled off a stunning 3-2 win against high flying Hull at their place over the weekend. After a run of patchy form, the men in red are up to eighth in the Championship table and in contention for a playoff place. A chance for promotion to the Premier League. Perchance to dream.
Next up are struggling Port Vale in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday. A win would see The Robins right in the mixer on the road to Wembley.
Bristol Rovers
After the 2-0 win over Walsall, the pain of a 3-2 defeat at the hands, heads and feet of Chesterfield last Saturday. Another loss at the Mem.
Other results meant that The Pirates remain six points clear of peril. But relegation remains a threat on the horizon. The plank is wobbling once again.
Next up is a Valentine’s Day clash against a useful Cambridge United side. Rovers need to win hearts and minds. And yell yo ho ho and a show a bit of bottle.
What’s on in Bristol this weekend?
Valentine’s Piano by Candlelight – Bristol Cathedral
Sat 14 Feb, 7:30–9:30 pm, classical piano in a candlelit setting on College Green.
Doors from 6:45 pm; all ages; ticketed via Eventbrite.
Queen’s Valentine’s Night Special – St George’s Bristol
Sat 14 Feb, 7:30 pm, Bristol Ensemble with a symphonic take on Queen hits, billed as a “heart‑pounding Valentine’s celebration”.
At St George’s, just off Park Street; extra Valentine’s “sweet treat & sparkle” add‑ons available.
The Entitled Sons – O2 Academy Bristol
Sat 14 Feb, doors 7:00 pm, one of the UK’s “most exciting emerging bands” at the Academy.
All photos are credited to source articles unless otherwise specified.
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