It has come as a shock to locals
The Crafty Egg(Image: PAUL GILLIS / Reach PLC)
Popular Bristol foodie business The Crafty Egg has announced today (Thursday, October 23) that it is set to close its restaurant and bar venue on Church Road in Redfield in a matter of weeks. The Crafty Egg, which also boasts sites in Stokes Croft and Fishponds, opened its third venue in Redfield back in October 2024, in what had formerly been a Wetherspoons pub.
Taking to Instagram today, The Crafty Egg team said: “We’ll be closing The Crafty Egg on Church Road soon. Sunday 9th will be our last day — when we’ll say thank you and goodnight to BS5.
“We’re deeply sorry to be saying goodbye to a space we’ve poured so much love and energy into. Over the past year, we’ve reworked the menu, reshaped the layout, invested, and re-thought everything we could to make it work. But the relentless rise in costs has made it impossible to sustain a newer venue that was still finding its feet.
“What’s happening here isn’t unique to us. Across the country, small hospitality businesses are being squeezed by rising costs, a disproportionate VAT burden, and a lack of meaningful support for a people-powered sector. Since the last budget, thousands of venues have closed and more than 100,000 hospitality jobs have disappeared.
“We’ve done everything we could to adapt — but the landscape has become incredibly difficult for independents like us to survive in.We took on this site as local people, excited to breathe life back into a beautiful building that had sat behind hoarding for too long.
“It’s meant a lot to us to help bring this space back to the high street. We’re proud of what we’ve built here, and we hope another independent operator will soon bring fresh energy to Church Road. The venue is fully fitted to a high standard — so with a bit of luck, the hoarding won’t return for long.”
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It comes just months after BristolLive reported that the popular brunch spot had shared an update to its customers to say it had had a ‘quiet’ summer period due to the sunshine and the opening of a new Lounges venue in the area – Rubino Lounge. And it’s not the only issues that have befallen the Crafty Egg venue here – just hours after first opening its doors last October, the eatery had been robbed of its door handles.
The Crafty Egg opened at what was formerly The St George’s Hall pub on Church Road, which had been closed since 2021. It secured part but not all of the former Wetherspoon venue. In its original post announcing the news of its takeover, The Crafty Egg confirmed that the agreement “covers the front half of the pub, excluding the old cinema section, beer cellars, kitchens, utilities, bathrooms, and rear customer areas”. The team added: “Nonetheless, we adore the space and are confident the Church Road community will too.
Outside of the new The Crafty Egg venue in Redfield before it opened(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
“Should investors aiming to renovate and restore the cinema area to the rear ever purchase it, we support that vision and pledge our assistance!”
Continuing its latest message regarding the Church Road venue’s closure, The Crafty Egg team went on to say: “To our incredible team: thank you. You’ve worked tirelessly through tough times, and we couldn’t be prouder of what you’ve achieved. And to everyone in the community who’s backed us — your support has meant the world.
“This decision is specific to Church Road. Our other venues are strong, established, and continuing as usual. But the reality is that small independents face mounting cost pressures that make newer sites especially hard to sustain — especially those that rely on a large, hands-on team.
Plants hanging from the windowed ceilings of The Crafty Egg, St George(Image: Paul Gillis/Reach Plc)
“If you’re able, we’d love your support over these final few days at Church Road. Every visit helps us close this chapter properly and look after our team. And to everyone in BS5 — please keep visiting the fantastic independents near you. They need you. Thank you for being part of this journey.”
Taking to the comments section, fans and locals were quick to share their sadness, writing: “Absolutely gutted, I loved my brunches there and sad no alternative. I can’t stand how much the lounges have taken over.”
A second said: “So sorry to hear this, you’ve been such an asset to BS5. It’s brutal for hospitality right now.”
While a third added: “I’m so sad for you. You bring so much life to Redfield.”