The Tobacco Factory is the last remaining part of the Old Wills Tobacco site on Raleigh Road, Southville. It was saved from demolition by Architect George Ferguson and through his vision has become a model of urban regeneration. It is now a multi-use building which houses Teoh's restaurant, a performing arts school, loft-style apartments, a café bar, offices and one of the most exciting performance venues in the country.

Strike a light for Independents!

Inspired by the Manchester Independents campaign, George Ferguson has decided to launch a Bristol based campaign from the Tobacco Factory.

Nick Johnson, a Director of Manchester based developers Urban Splash, owner of the Atlas bar and a leading light in the Manchester campaign, says that "Independent business is vital if we believe in the renaissance of our towns and cities."

The purpose of the campaign is to encourage the support and patronage of independent outlets and businesses to help redress the balance that has swung strongly in favour of the multiples at the expense of local character and enterprise. Business at the Tobacco Factory epitomises this, with home grown enterprises, such as E3 media, CLIK, Teoh's etc.

George will be asking the City and Bristol's independent businesses and their supporters to sign up for membership of the campaign which will be aimed at reinforcing Bristol's enterprise culture.