Now & Then

This is where it all began. Pictured here is 125 Coldharbour Road as it looked just before Salvatore purchased the shop in December 1993 — previously trading as Marion Gay, seen here mid closing-down sale.

A few months later, Salvatore's Barber Shop opened its doors for the first time in 1994, and the rest is history!

Triangle Television, pictured here at 122 Coldharbour Road in 2012, had a remarkable history on the road — originally opening on 12th March 1959 next door at 124. The shop was later taken over by one of its employees, Steve, who ran it with the help of Shaun and Julab until it eventually closed.

As well as retailing the Panasonic range, the team at Triangle Television were known for being able to fix pretty much anything electrical — a real institution on Coldharbour Road for over 50 years.

Following on from Triangle Television, 122 Coldharbour Road became home to IH Flooring (originally opening as "Interior Harmony") in 2012 — a specialist flooring showroom offering hardwood floor sanding, Amtico, Karndean, carpets, vinyls and natural marmoleum.

Back in 2011, number 110 Coldharbour Road was home to Morley Grove Kitchens, a local kitchen design and fitting business. Like many shops along the road, the units have changed hands over the years as Westbury Park has evolved.

The Split Tin Bakery, established 1978, pictured at 118 Coldharbour Road during the heavy snowfall of January 2013. Westbury Park ground to a snowy halt that winter, with cars buried under thick snow along the road.

A colourful "yarn bombed" lamppost outside The Split Tin Bakery in 2014, decorated by Heart Space Studios — a local arts and crafts space on Harcourt Road known for its vintage fabrics and creative community events.

Standfast Security Systems, an NSI NACOSS Gold-accredited security company, pictured at 120 Coldharbour Road in 2014. They offered CCTV, fire alarms, door entry systems and 24hr monitoring to homes and businesses across Bristol.

Following on from Standfast Security Systems, 120 Coldharbour Road became home to S.W. Wren Building Services Ltd in 2018 — a Bristol-based building services company using the unit as their local office and showroom.

The Bird Table Café Bistro, pictured at 124 Coldharbour Road in 2014 shortly before it closed. A charming local café with a distinctive bird logo, it served the Westbury Park community for several years.

Following on from The Bird Table, 124 Coldharbour Road became Acu-Herbs in 2016 — a Chinese acupuncture and herbal remedy clinic offering acupuncture and traditional herbal treatments.

Following on from Acu-Herbs, 124 Coldharbour Road became Dougie Johns Hairdressing in 2018 — another hairdressing salon joining the road, just a few doors down from us.

In the summer of 2015, "Groovy Baby!" — one of 70 giant Shaun the Sheep sculptures from Aardman Animations' Shaun in the City trail — stood proudly outside Morley Grove Kitchens at 110 Coldharbour Road. The trail raised funds in aid of The Grand Appeal, the Bristol Children's Hospital Charity.

Designed by illustrator Emily Ketteringham and sponsored by the Coldharbour Road BS6 Traders — including Salvatore's Barber Shop — Groovy Baby! became a local landmark that summer, with visitors flocking to Coldharbour Road to see him.

During the 2015 Shaun in the City trail, a Shaun the Sheep cutout also greeted customers outside The Split Tin Bakery at 118 Coldharbour Road — adding to the Shaun fever that took over the road that summer alongside our "Groovy Baby!" sculpture.

Lal Jomi, a beloved Indian restaurant on Harcourt Road, pictured in 2019 shortly before closing its doors after an incredible run since opening in 1992. The "Finest Indian Cuisine" sign says it all — it was a real local institution for almost three decades.

Mr Miah, who ran Lal Jomi, is still a customer of ours to this day and pops in monthly for a catch up and a trip down memory lane talking about the good old days running the restaurant.

After Lal Jomi closed, the unit became Cardamom Bay — another Indian restaurant continuing the tradition of great Indian food on Harcourt Road.

Following Cardamom Bay, the unit became Dhuwan — an Indian restaurant continuing the long tradition of great Indian cuisine at this address, which stretches all the way back to Lal Jomi opening in 1992.

The latest chapter for 2 Harcourt Road — Kerala Choice, serving authentic South Indian cuisine with a specialty in Kerala dishes. A fitting continuation of a spot that has been feeding the local community since Lal Jomi opened back in 1992.

The Electric Bike Shop, pictured at 116 Coldharbour Road in 2019. As electric bikes grew in popularity, this corner unit became home to a dedicated e-bike specialist offering sales, servicing and free test rides to the local community.

Domestic Bliss, a laundry service, briefly traded at 113 Coldharbour Road in 2023 — though it didn't quite last the year, with the unit changing hands again not long after opening.

Following on from Domestic Bliss, 113 Coldharbour Road became home to Star Nail Spa in 2024 — a nail salon offering manicures, pedicures and nail treatments to the local community.

Royal Kitchen, a Chinese cuisine takeaway, pictured at 117 Coldharbour Road in 2011. Offering home delivery and a varied takeaway menu, it was a popular spot for a quick bite for many years.

Going further back, 117 Coldharbour Road was once home to ATTIC — "All the tea in China" — a specialist tea shop pictured here in 2011. The unit later became Amelia's Coffee Shop, and is now Lavender Italian Delicatessen.

Before Lavender Italian Delicatessen, 117 Coldharbour Road was home to Amelia's Coffee Shop, pictured here with its outdoor seating and chalkboard sign. Amelia's closed its doors around 2015/2016, paving the way for the unit's next chapter.

Lavender Italian Delicatessen, a coffee shop and deli at 117 Coldharbour Road, pictured in 2024. A very popular addition to the road, offering coffee, sandwiches, toasties, cured meats, cheeses, pasta and more.

The latest addition to Coldharbour Road — One Stop, pictured on their opening day, 25th August 2023, complete with balloons to celebrate. A welcome new convenience store for the local community, working alongside the other Coldharbour Road traders.

Sofa Magic (also previously trading as Fabric Magic) has been a long-standing presence on Coldharbour Road over the years, occupying a few different units along the road — including 119 Coldharbour Road and the corner unit pictured below. Specialising in bespoke sofas, curtains, reupholstery and custom-made furniture, it's been a familiar name to locals for a long time.