Shame there’s no retrospective vision to rescue last of old city

AS a Bristolian who was born in Bristol some 77 years ago I found your article: ‘Western Harbour garden centre saved in new development vision’ historically interesting, and thought it shameful that Bristol City Council does not have the retrospective ‘vision’ to rescue what little remained of the old city!

Its lack of empathy for the past is encapsulated in the report’s accompanying photo which is referenced: ‘A computer-generated image showing part of the Western Harbour transformation.’

Surely, the use of computeraided design confirms my suspicions that much of Bristol’s authentic gutsy past has been airbrushed in favour of what I would call an electronic ‘leisure’ besuited lounge lizard mentality.

Lost forever are many of the traditional ‘boozers’ I used to frequent such as The Greyhound in Broadmead, The Garrick’s Head on Broad Quay, The Pineapple (Chunkies) in St Georges Road and many other spirited drinking holes.

These surely were synonymous with Bristol’s interesting characteristics that confirmed a connectivity with the city’s motto; ‘Virtute et Industria.’ Not anymore, stand in the middle of Temple Way, turn 360 degrees and your view is bereft of any truly Bristolian landscapes.

It is my view that the ‘development’ of Western Harbour will be built (albeit with dubious Bristolian ‘stakeholder’ consent!) in the manner of the gentrification of Bristol’s docks, sorry Harbourside!

Under Mayor Marvin Rees’ authoritarian leadership the infrastructural rape of the city continues apace. Thus the beloved city of my birth will continue to evaporate into computer-generated imagery! R L Smith

Knowle