Here at Gibe, we are really proud of being from Bristol and being amongst other agencies across the creative spectrum. Bristol is increasingly seen as a hub for all the arts outside of London. With a vibrant, bohemian scene in the Stokes Croft area, street art, that rivals other European cities, and an ever expanding commercial sector there's a lot going on. With a west country pace of life comes a more holistic approach to the creative process and this combined with some of the best beer and pasties in the land is the reason that clients and creative gravitate to the region.
A day in the life of a creative agency usually starts at a reasonable 9am as everyone fights their way from either the South or North of the city to one of three areas. The Paintworks is a collective of agencies, designers, TV and artists, all in renovated paint warehouses, providing cover but not necessarily warmth in the winter. Luminaries such as the BBC and Endemol have studios here, next door to the infamous Bocabar, which provides liquid stimulation and a decent stone baked pizza. The Tobacco Factory is one of many post- industrial reclaimed buildings developed by architect, and now Mayor, George Ferguson. Many of today's larger agencies started out at the Tobacco Factory so this is where the new breed start out and are inspired by the locally brewed beer and locally produced theatre. City Centre Bristol revolves around another theatre, The Hippodrome which represents all of Bristol as it hosts West End shows to pantomimes, and recently featured 'The Hoff' as Captain Hook!
Gibe is based in another multi-purpose building, St Nicholas House, and shares the site with app developers, digital and creative agencies. Immediate Media, just around the corner, is an ever changing publisher that now produces the leading BBC magazine titles both in paper and online as well as a number of niche titles in Stitching and Triathlon.
Lunchtimes are a great opportunity to try out new tastes from around the world thanks to St Nicholas Market which offers delicacies from Jamaica, Italy, Portugal, the deep south of America and of course Bristol's very own Pieminster Pies. Gibe are loyal customers to our local Hotcha, with its lunchtime specials and free mugs that are evident across the office. At 'beer o-clock', the office has a wealth of choice of bars nearby. First customers to the new Brew Dog and always excited to see new restaurant openings, we are keen to ensure every local beer has been tested rigorously.
The community is brought together by Bristol Media who arrange a number of meetings and seminars across the year to support every business, big or small. The Vision event is known across the UK and presents a complete look at the challenges and innovations that face the creative sector.
As with a lot of modern Bristol most of the team are not Bristolian’s by birth and have relocated here from as far as Edinburgh, Manchester and Southend-on-Sea. This make-up allows Bristol to feel like home for all with a still traditional heart. Thanks to Temple Meads station, visits to clients in London, Birmingham, Wales and Cornwall are all within easy reach with the rest of the UK reached by Plane or Car on the M4/M5.
The arts have always been a focus for this nautical city as has immigration due in part to the slave trade and this diverse mix of peoples and creative ideas continues to help Bristol flourish and attract new Bristolians to the South West way of life. It is difficult to feel uninspired when there are both creative and digital agencies constantly producing new and exciting projects and the streets of Bristol are buzzing with charisma and originality.
