Invisible Circus: Fears over Bristol 'gentrification'

The circus celebrated its last performance at Unit 15 in October

A performance group that could be forced out of its home of 20 years due to development says "radical" ideas are needed to keep art at the heart of cities.

Invisible Circus founders Wim Penhaul and Doug Francis describe the Bristol group as being part of the "cultural fabric" of the city.

But after having to leave their main hub at Unit 15 in Lawrence Hill, they say gentrification could spell the end of the art scene that made it so desirable to start performing.

Mr Penhaul said it was interesting watching the "skyline of cranes" getting slowly closer - his measurement of how changes in Bristol were encroaching on their space.

"We'll be fine, reinventing ourselves is part of circus life. I just fear the city is at a tipping point," he said.

Doug Francis (pictured) and Wim Penhaul founded the Invisible circus in the early 90s

The Invisible Circus began as a street performance troupe in the carnivals and fiestas of Europe in the early 90s.

It become more permanently UK-based in 2005 when it moved to Bristol.

The troupe has since occupied various empty locations across the city and run The Loco Club under Bristol's Temple Meads and are a creative partner in sustainable arts centre Sparks in the city centre.

The circus' main hub has been the Unit 15 warehouse for 10 years - the longest time it has been able to stay in one location.

The performers have created hundreds of immersive circus performances in Bristol and across Europe

Co-founder Doug Francis said the circus came to Bristol when there was "a rising tide of really accessible creativity and culture".

"There were lots of empty buildings and warehouses and the council had a huge arts team of around 28 people, but now they have just one person," he said.

"All of the old industrial stock, buildings that we need for circus, are increasingly few and far between.

"Everyone pays lip service to culture and creativity but people don't put enough economic value on it.

During the time it was occupied by the Invisible Circus, Unit 15 became an internationally renowned training space

"Ironically our project in Sparks in Broadmead has become the frontline of our work, going back into the city centre.

"I'm sure in 10 years there'll be seminars on how to bring culture back into the city."

Commercial and community spaces and purpose-built student accommodation are planned for the Unit 15 site, meaning the future of the Invisible Circus in Bristol hangs in the balance.

A Bristol City Council spokesperson said it has "a positive track record" in supporting community-based organisations take on buildings for the benefit of the local area.

Co-founder Mr Penhaul said he is not sure whether the group will be able to stay in Bristol

"Over the past seven years we've unlocked dozens of empty buildings through community asset transfers and other non-commercial agreements to ensure that they are returned to community use," they said.

"Whilst the council's economic development team will offer expert advice and guidance to Invisible Circus searching for new premises, the type of property and the costs involved makes this search a particularly challenging one.

"The council can also consider its own property portfolio and help the group to explore the private market."

Mr Penhaul said he fears as developments happen and property prices rise, Bristol could become "unrecognisable" in 15 years time.

Future plans for the site include purpose-built student accommodation

"People come here for the culture and the music, something that we're part of, but places like us are being displaced," he said.

"If we can't protect spaces for art and culture as the city develops, we'll have to start knocking places down in the future to make space for them.

"The price of housing is going up and the rental market is really hard at the moment.

"I think Bristol is at a watershed moment."

Co-founder Mr Penhaul said "reinventing ourselves is part of circus life"

Mr Penhaul said the council is supportive, but "limited in what they can do".

"When times are hard having places where people can engage with the arts will become ever more important, so this eviction comes at a bittersweet time.

"We love this city, but for groups like ours to stay we need radical and progressive ideas.

"I hold hope that it's not over yet. I hold hope and there's still a lot of positive energy here," he added.

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