From launching the search for a development partner, publishing early ideas for change in St Philip’s Marsh, to welcoming a Chair and new directors to the board, this year has been both ambitious and rewarding for Bristol Temple Quarter.
We have built real momentum across the programme, putting us in a strong position to continue this success.
Thank you to our partners and stakeholders for your continued support, and we look forward to continuing to work with you in 2026 and beyond!
January
The year began with a major milestone, as plans for the Southern Gateway were unveiled, setting out a vision for one of the most important new entrances to the city.
The proposals include a new 350 space car park, a high -quality cycle hub with space for over 500 bikes, a new pedestrian access to Bristol Temple Meads station, and new bus stops.
February
We were delighted to welcome Lyn Garner as chair of the BTQ Board. Lyn joined us from the London Legacy Development Corporation, is part of the New Towns Taskforce and is chair of the London Stadium LLP.
This milestone moment means we have an independent chair to oversee the work of BTQ LLP, drive progress and delivery, and act as an ambassador for the project.
We also launched our search for a Private Sector Partner, and were thrilled to welcome a room full of political leaders, stakeholders, and community groups to our launch event to celebrate this milestone.
March
In March, we hosted a tour of BTQ for the Department for Transport (DfT) to showcase the ongoing developments and projects.
The visit allowed us to highlight the exciting developments taking shape across the site and the positive impact they will have on regional connectivity.
April
City of Bristol College students began painting our Community Hub as part of their painting and decorating qualifications.
We hosted site tours for organisations including Business West and the Bristol Housing Partnership, ran our quarterly session with the Temple Quarter Accessibility Advisory Group, and welcomed visits from local schools.
May
In May, BTQ headed to the UK Real Estate Investment and Infrastructure Forum (UKREiiF). We were part of the Western Gateway Pavilion, joining projects from across the West to showcase the fastest growing economy outside of London.
Our chair, Lyn Garner, also took part in a panel discussion with Mayor of the West of England, Helen Godwin, and CEO of the West of England Combined Authority, Stephen Peacock, to discuss the West of England’s plans for growth, job creation, innovation and sustainability.
June
June was a turning point for the LLP. We opened the doors to our Community Hub, which is a space designed to support skills, training and community activity. Since opening the hub six months ago, 41 sessions have been held by/for community groups, 14 open days and three construction skills training courses.
June also marked the launch of our St Philip’s Marsh engagement, inviting residents, businesses and stakeholders to help shape early ideas for how this major part of Temple Quarter could evolve into a sustainable, mixed use neighbourhood with homes, jobs, public spaces and improved connections to the city.
July
Our St Philip’s Marsh engagement continued throughout July. We ran pop ups, events and displays at the Hub and across Bristol, and gathered feedback on the emerging proposals.
Residents will be able to see the latest ideas for St Philip’s Marsh in the new year.
We also submitted our planning application for the Southern Gateway. This was the first planning application to be submitted by the LLP and was a key step as the project moves from planning to delivery.
August
During August, we ran a construction skills training course from our community hub.
The regeneration of Temple Quarter is one of the UK’s most ambitious city centre projects.
To make the most of this transformation, we need a skilled, confident, and diverse workforce ready to shape the city’s future. We’re proud to be developing a range of impactful programmes to help plug skills gaps amongst local people.
September
September saw the launch of the West of England Combined Authority’s Regional Growth Strategy, placing Bristol Temple Quarter at the heart of the region’s future as a catalyst for unlocking large-scale housing and high-value jobs and innovation, driving long-term and inclusive economic growth across the West of England.
October
October was a busy month.
The LLP began the search for a contractor to deliver the Southern Gateway. Applications for this search have now closed, with a contractor appointed in February.
We welcomed Richard Meier, Claudette Forbes, André Gibbs and David Biggs as our new Non-Executive Directors. The new NEDs come from a range of backgrounds, from development to finance to community engagement, and they will help us deliver quality placemaking for people in the region.
We launched the first round of our Community Fund, in partnership with Quartet. Grants of up to £5,000 were available for charities, community organisations and initiatives to support new or existing activities which contribute to the outcome of the BTQ Charter. The first awards will be made in the new year, and we’re looking forward to seeing how this funding makes a difference for local people.
The Eastern Entrance won the People’s Choice Award and the Community Award at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Award. The judges described the project as a ‘shining example of how thoughtful infrastructure projects can transform public spaces and enhance communities’. We’re excited for the eastern entrance to open in September 2026, alongside the University of Bristol’s Enterprise Campus.
This new transport hub will comprise a standalone secure cycle building, new bus stops, new and improved walking and cycling routes, and a new multi-storey car park. This was a vital step for BTQ, and the first to be delivered by BTQ LLP
We also welcomed Lord Stockwood to BTQ in November to show him the progress that is underway in the area. The Minister for Investment was able to see the scale of opportunity that TQ brings, and how we are creating one of the most exciting investment opportunities in the country.
December
To round off the year, our chair, Lyn Garner, spoke to Neil Maggs, host of the Bristol Unpacked podcast, to discuss all things Bristol Temple Quarter.
They discussed Lyn’s career in regeneration, her role at Temple Quarter, and whether regeneration can ever be truly inclusive.
You can listen to the podcast here.
2025 in numbers
🚶➡️ 510 people joined us on walking tours around the Temple Quarter area.
📖 60 people ran a self-guided tour using our resources
🏢 6 months of the Hub being open
🫂 41 free community sessions run by local groups and residents
👐 14 open days held for people to come and talk to the team
💼 5 new board members
🏆 2 awards won
🏗️ 1 scheme given planning permission
