The GRAK is back: A fiercely independent pub venture!

National World - LocalTV

The GRAK is marketing itself as a stubbornly independent venture. It comes after the pub, also previously known The Foresters, was put up for let earlier this year following closure. It was juts one of many pubs in the bristol district that struggled after the covid 19 pandemic, following the closure of six pub closures per week in the United Kingdom in 2024

Transcript

00:00So we've decided to open a stubbornly independent bar on the longest independent street in Europe.

00:05Welcome to Bishopston's beating heart, Gloucester Road, where one of the area's most cherished pubs is making a bold comeback.

00:15Formerly the Gloucester Road Ale House, the venue reopens today as the Grack.

00:21Yeah, we rebranded it slightly. We've tried to simplify the concept of what it was as a Gloucester Road Ale,

00:25and remove the pretension a little bit from it. Bristol is a very vibrant city with a good music scene,

00:33and I feel that's a bit underrepresented on this road at the moment.

00:36It's going to be quite quirky. I'm wearing murals that are going to bring in lots of colour, lots of texture and patterns and stuff.

00:47But most of my work sort of explores, like I said, themes of feminine energy and sort of explores the mental health.

00:57I paint a lot of space because I've dissociated quite a lot, so it kind of resonates with me, if that makes sense.

01:05With fresh refurbishments, a new name and a fiercely independent spirit,

01:09the Grack and Kitchen is setting its sight on becoming the go-to community hub once again.

01:17Why is it nice that a local artist is going to be kind of decorating and colouring the place in, if you like?

01:24I think it needs a change.

01:27Like, the last three people that have taken over have quite the same art, and it's been quite stagnant.

01:32It definitely needs, like, an uproar and just, like, some fresh sort of energy.

01:37We're making Bristol Bristol again, so, like, just trying to bring people in and get the Bristol vibes.

01:43The Grack isn't just a new name. It's a new identity.

01:47Taking over from its former life as the Foresters and later the Gloucester Road Ale House,

01:53this venue has undergone a major rebrand.

01:56Think modern, community-minded and proudly non-chain.

02:00It's a nod to local roots.

02:02We've got a new Bristol Brewing and the Bristol Cider Company on our lines.

02:05We're also working with Bristol Distillery there, and we're offering our major pouring spirits as well.

02:10So, I think the furthest we're getting a beer from is Bedminster.

02:13So, we're literally going, we do cross a river, but only a little one.

02:16When you speak with my chef later on, you realise that we go shopping every day to local shops to buy our ingredients.

02:21We don't use wholesaler suppliers for that.

02:23We are very focused on supporting those shops, and in turn, then, they will support us.

02:28In Bristol, independent pubs aren't just about great pints.

02:31They're also about community and quality.

02:35And chef Beau at the Grack likes to do just that.

02:39Using ingredients from local shops.

02:41Trends show that more and more pubs are following suit, with locally sourced produce,

02:46from Somerset Cider to Gloucester Beef, cutting food miles and boosting the local economy.

02:52It means that your Sunday roast or craft ale isn't just tasty,

02:56it is also supporting nearby farms and producers too.

02:59But, a lot of fun are.

03:02That's the moment you keep moving.

03:08Thank you so much for welcoming me.

03:13There you go.

03:15I love me.

03:16I love you.

03:21I love you.

03:22I love you.

03:24I love you.

03:25I love you.

03:26I love you.

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