The Development Consulting and Agency team at Colliers International’s new Templeback office are inviting fellow city professionals to join them on a journey into Bristol’s bomb-blasted past.
The team have organised a Bristol Blitz tour on Wednesday September 16 which will feature a unique guided tour of the city centre, highlighting the impact of the Luftwaffe bombing raids which took place between November 1940 and April 1941.
Bristol was the fifth most heavily bombed city in the UK during World War II, with the docks and harbour being among the principal targets of the six major raids taking place over the five month period.
In total 1299 people were killed in the raids with many more injured. Around 89,000 buildings were damaged, many of which were later demolished, including some of the city’s historic churches. The commercial heart of the city also suffered extensive damage.
The Bristol Blitz tour is being organised by Chris Dawson, head of Colliers’ South West and South Wales team, and aims to offer a new slant on some of the city centre’s familiar landmarks.
The guided walking tour will be led by local historian and Bristol Post columnist Eugene Byrne who will navigate guests around the city’s principal Blitz hotspots. Ration cards will be provided for refreshments, back at Colliers HQ.
Dawson believes the tour, which follows previous annual events including an exploration of Bristol’s mysterious Redcliff caves, is a celebration of the city’s past.
“Above all we are celebrating Bristol’s history – places, people and events which have shaped the city’s development,” he said.
