3 Building the Bristol city region food system

Bristol is located in the southwest of England. It has a population of about 435,000, with an economy historically founded on global colonial trade. Today its commercial importance lies in aerospace technology, finance and creative industries and it is well known for its vibrant, bohemian culture, thriving arts scene and diverse population. The West of England – which comprises the following local authorities: Bristol, Bath & North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire – is generally seen as Bristol’s city region. It has a population of about 910,000. Since May 2017, the Bristol city region is among the first of seven city regions in England with an elected ‘metro-mayor’, responsible for economic development, housing and transport. The city of Bristol sits at the gateway to the rural southwest, the English region most economically reliant on agriculture. Food and agriculture are, however, largely outside of the control of local politics. The regulation of food is principally influenced by the multiple retailers that supply about 80 % of UK groceries. Spatially the food system has a profound impact on the urban landscape, defining not only the built edges of the city but also the streetscape. Local authorities have limited powers to control the development or location of individual stores.