Making the Global Goals Centre vision a reality 

When Global Goals Centre was established six years ago, the vision was to set up a physical hub in Bristol that would excite more people, especially children and young people, about the Sustainable Development Goals and inspire action towards a greener, fairer future. 

After these plans were put on hold during the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2022 an opportunity to secure the empty M&S building emerged thanks to the City Centre regeneration team at Bristol City Council. Partnering with Bristol-based arts charity Artspace Lifespace, in May 2023 we finally opened Sparks Bristol – a reimagined department store with a public-facing sustainability hub on the ground floor and  creative spaces on the upper floors. 

Celebrating one year of Sparks Bristol

As we mark the first anniversary of our largest project to date, we at Global Goals Centre reflect on a year of remarkable achievements and strides towards our vision of a greener, fairer future. Sparks Bristol embodies our commitment to sustainable development and social impact, transforming an empty high street building into a vibrant hub of creativity, education, and ethical retail.

The anniversary celebration was a vibrant testament to our project’s success, with over 3,500 visitors welcomed through our doors. Our celebrations included live music, workshops, and talks. Children made birthday flags from waste fabrics, and old books were transformed into collages. We gathered outside the main doors, holding pledges for the Sustainable Development Goals that underpin Sparks Bristol, and celebrated with rose petal confetti, embodying the spirit of community and shared purpose.

What we’ve achieved so far

Over the past year, we’ve welcomed over 518,000 visitors into the store, saved more than 12,000 items from landfill, and supported 246 local independent traders, artists, and charities. Our ethical traders have made sustainable pledges, such as using public transport, creating gifts from waste materials, and avoiding pre-packaged food. The Ethical Gift Shop celebrated by planting 1,000 trees in sub-Saharan Africa, pledging to plant a tree for every purchase.

Sparks Bristol also plays a crucial role in Bristol’s goal of reaching net zero by 2030. By showcasing positive solutions and sustainable lifestyles in a high-profile space, Sparks is helping to shift public behaviour towards more eco-friendly habits. Additionally, Sparks contributes to the conversation about the future of high streets, demonstrating how vacant spaces can be repurposed for positive social impact.

Thank you for helping us make Sparks fly!

The success of Sparks Bristol is a testament to the power of collaboration. We are grateful for the support from local businesses, grants from the National Lottery, and public donations. These contributions are vital in managing and sustaining such a large space. Looking ahead, we aim to enhance our social and environmental impacts, continuing to evolve and meet the needs of the local community. 

We invite everyone to join us in celebrating and supporting Sparks Bristol. Attend our events and workshops, volunteer with us, or bring your school or youth group for educational experiences. Together, we can continue to make a positive impact and move towards a greener, fairer future.

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