I have to agree with Malcolm Baldwin – who has sent me these images – that Margaret’s Buildings is one of Bath’s ‘hidden gems’.
It’s a little side street – full of shops and cafes – accessed between The Circus and Royal Crescent.
Malcolm writes:
“This must certainly be one of Bath’s hidden gems and how great it now looks! This unique pedestrian passageway, located between the Circus and Royal Crescent is attracting more and more attention from local residents and visitors alike.
Joint efforts between CARA the local residents association, local independent businesses and key and supportive council officers has produced major improvements in creating a more attractive and liveable community neighbourhood in this particular part of CARA’s catchment area.”
Malcolm – who is the local Chair of the Circus Area Residents Association – says they have similar neighbourhood projects in mind to promote both Saville Row and Bartlett Street.
I lived in Margarets buildings until I was about 4/5 number 7 top flat. The ground floor was a ladies hairdresser. The family which owned the building was named Richard . I believe he was the brother of Sir Gordon Richards a well known jockey
It’s good to see the octagonal planters are well tended again after a period of neglect.
Sadly although there are some well-established businesses here such as Bath Old Books and Gallery Nine, there is a high turnover of others and often empty shops. Currently, Ellie Rose Bridal has just moved out. (I also wish 8 Holland St hadn’t used a confusing name derived from their London address. Replicating what works in London is rarely a way to succeed in Bath.)
Hello Helen,
it’s great, as you say, to have retained in Margaret’s Buildings such well established independent businesses as Bath Old Books and Gallery 9 also the now equally established Green Bird Cafe, Figo Hairdressers and others. The bridal gown premises that you mentioned and No. 5 Margaret’s Buildings both had a significant amount of recent competive interest as soon as they became vacant ……. indeed both premises will be trading under new ownership from next month. Precincts of all shapes and sizes need fresh ‘intake’ to retain their commercial viability and by creating a hopefully better and improved ambiance for locals and visitors alike it will be to the benefit of all traders. One quite interesting aspect of this small ‘project’ in MB is that we are now, on occasions, approached by prospective purchasers of available commercial properties in respect of the type of business that we think might best work in the passageway. Keeping the correct balance, for example, between hospitality and retail/services businesses will be key to Margaret’s Buildings future and ongoing success ……. as is the case elsewhere in Bath! More than enough from me! Kind regards, Malcolm.