Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM

Page created by Mario Mcgee
 
CONTINUE READING
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
Bristol City
and Accommodation
Guide
2021/22

bimm.ac.uk
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
Contents                                    Welcome

Welcome 						3                             I am so pleased that you are considering joining
                                            our wonderful creative community here at BIMM
About Bristol						4
                                            Institute Bristol.
My Bristol						8
                                            For many of our students, starting at BIMM is a big deal.
About BIMM Institute Bristol				       12   It can take some adjustment. You might think that doing
BIMM Institute Bristol Lecturers				   14
                                            what you love every day is easy. It’s not.

BIMM Institute Bristol Courses				     16   It’s not easy because it matters more. The stakes are
                                            higher. The pressure you put on yourself to do well is
Your City						20
                                            greater. You’ll have days when you feel like a rock star.
Music Resources					22                      And you’ll have days when you just can’t get inspired. That
                                            is the life of a creative, and that is why it’s easier to take
Accommodation Guide					26                  these next steps together.
Join Us in Bristol					30
                                            I’m a musician, songwriter and performer alongside being
                                            a creative arts educator. In fact, you’d be hard pushed to
                                            find anyone here that isn’t. Our community of incredible
                                            lecturers understand you. They can help you work out who
                                            you are, what you excel at, how to tackle the tough stuff,
                                            and where you should go next on your journey as a creative
                                            professional.

                                            I hope you join us for an Open Day to ask us any questions
                                            you have about life here at BIMM. And more importantly, to
                                            ask our current students about their experiences.

                                            I can’t wait to meet you and find out how we can help you
                                            achieve the career you’ve always dreamed of.

                                            Hannah Phipps
                                            College Principal
                                            BIMM Institute Bristol

                                                                                                             3
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
About Bristol

This West Country city has a fiercely independent spirit          Canteen, The Attic, Rough Trade, The Crofters Rights and
and is alive with urban inspiration and culture. Music and        many more. Prestigious venues such as The Fleece and
art come together to form a diverse creative community            Louisiana are not far away either. The Fleece in particular
particularly well-known for drum & bass (Roni Size), trip-        is a three-minute walk from our Passage Street building.
hop (Massive Attack, Portishead) and punk, which is now
enjoying a resurgence due to the success of IDLES. George         There are open mic nights and jam sessions most
Ezra also walked through our doors in Bristol and out into        evenings. Every night you can find something to watch
the music industry.                                               and listen to. Crack magazine and Bristol in Stereo are two
                                                                  excellent local publications that will be able to give
Bristol’s emerging names include Phox Jaw, Heavy Lungs,           you everything you need to know about the upcoming
Scalping, Gardna, Keir, Giant Swan, Elder Island and Katy         musical calendar.
J Pearson. Each artist is supported by a strong network of
live music venues, including The Louisiana and Thekla.            Theatre
                                                                  For theatrical performances, there is the Bristol Old
City festivals are growing too. Just check out Love Saves         Vic, the Hippodrome, Wardrobe Assembly and the
The Day, Bristol Sounds, Bristol Harbour Festival, The            Tobacco Factory, among others. The Hippodrome hosts
Downs Festival. Of course, the ever-popular 2000trees is          pantomimes, musicals, plays, stand up and more. It
growing year on year, and the world-famous Glastonbury is         recently hosted the award-winning Disney’s The Lion King.
only a stone’s throw away.
                                                                  The Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working
This is Bristol: independent, diverse and artistic.               theatre in the English-speaking world and is where you’ll
                                                                  find contemporary takes on the classics, as well as being
Bristol Life                                                      the place to host the Bristol Proms. The Tobacco Factory
Bristol is an exciting city with lots to offer. There is a huge   boasts an array of features and shows as well. They host
variety of clubs, bars and pubs, many of which run weekly         local theatre productions, live music, comedy and lots of
student promotions and offers. There is a great collection        other entertainment.
of independent cafés and restaurants too, with lots of
different cuisines to try.                                        Cinema
                                                                  There are also a few independent cinemas that show
Art is very important to Bristol and you can find pop-up          international films, independent films, classic cult films
galleries all over town. You can also find a number of            and sometimes host parties and events. The most
theatres, venues, museums and cultural centres to                 notable of these cinemas is the Watershed (along Bristol’s
visit, including the SS Great Britain and the Arnolfini.          Harbourside) and the Cube (also a quirky gig venue); a
Bristol has a reputation for its street art, music scene          three-minute walk away from King Square.
and self-sufficiency.
                                                                  Street Art
Music                                                             Stokes Croft is on BIMM’s doorstep and showcases work
Music plays a huge part in maintaining Bristol’s cultural         by some of the UK’s most prolific street artists, including
prominence. There are venues everywhere – from dive bars          Stik, 3Dom, and of course, Banksy. There is a street art
to swanky concert halls and everything in-between. Within         festival held every year by SEE NO EVIL where many artists
a half-mile radius of both BIMM Institute sites, you can find     from across the world come to display their art on Bristol’s
Bristol Beacon (Colston Hall), O2 Academy Bristol, The            streets, (specifically Nelson Street in the city centre).

4                                                                                                                                5
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
Festivals                                                         a large indoor mall, a few retail parks, including bowling,
Bristol thrives in the summer and there are festivals nearly      cinemas and other entertainment, a number of large
every weekend from late May through to September.                 supermarkets and restaurants. If you have more expensive
These include St Paul’s Carnival, Harbour Festival, Food          taste, you can visit Clifton for a few fancy boutiques with
Connections, Vegfest, Dot To Dot, Love Saves the Day,             designer and made-to-measure clothing and accessories.
Brisfest, The Downs Festival, Glastonbury, and many,
many more.                                                        The Great Outdoors
                                                                  Not far from the centre you can find the Clifton Downs.
Shopping                                                          Clifton Village itself is a nice place to visit on a sunny day as
Bristol is popular for shopping as it is the only major city in   you can sit in the shadow of Clifton Suspension Bridge and
this part of the South West. People flock from all over North     enjoy a drink at the White Lion. Opposite Clifton is Leigh
Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Wiltshire to visit the        Woods – a very nice patch of greenery and woods to take a
many shops and boutiques Bristol has to offer.                    walk through.

The town centre is home to Broadmead, the shopping                Bristol Harbour is also a nice place to visit and to take a
district, as it were. Upon Broadmead sits a number of banks,      walk along the river. There are lots of things to do – and lots
cafés, travel agents, and clothing and goods retailers. At        of pubs along the route. You can even tour the city by boat
either end of Broadmead, you will find Cabot Circus and           or take a short trip on the tugboat across the water to reach
the Galleries, both indoor shopping centres. Cabot Circus         the famous SS Great Britain – our cover star!
boasts a collection of modern and high-end retailers
including Hollister, Vans and Urban Outfitters. There are         You can travel out to Cheddar Gorge, Blaise Castle, the
also a number of restaurants, a cinema, indoor crazy golf         Mendip Hills and many other beautiful spots around the
and a few other entertainment outlets within the centre.          South West with relative ease from Bristol. There are lots
                                                                  of nice towns to visit nearby too, like Bath and Gloucester
If you venture out of the centre, you can visit Park Street or    – home of famous sites such as the Historic Docks and
Gloucester Road. You will find more independent boutiques         Gloucester Cathedral.
and charity shops. You will also find some fantastic
independent bars, cafés and restaurants.                          Nightlife
                                                                  There is a big dance music scene in Bristol as the UK rave
Gloucester Road has been famed for its self-sustained             scene is often considered to have begun here. People
nature and its anti-corporate attitude. There is some             would find abandoned warehouses, derelict homes or even
fantastic food to try and a friendly atmosphere to socialise      disused sports centres to install a sound system (heavy on
in. They love to accept the Bristol Pound, a local initiative     the bass) to throw parties. Lots of Drum & Bass, Breakbeat
encouraging residents to put more into Bristol’s local            and House music originated here too. Trip-hop is a Bristol
economy. Check out Wapping Wharf by the Harbourside as            invention, and the city takes pride in the success of its
well for an eclectic mix of small independent restaurants         artists, such as Massive Attack and Portishead.
housed in refurbished shipping containers.
                                                                  Bristol nightlife is vast and ever-expanding. There are
There are lots of music retailers around, including Idle          a large number of student nights across all different types of
Hands (very near King Square), Rise, and of course HMV and        clubs, bars and pubs. Some popular clubs are Thekla,
Fopp. There are a few musical instrument retailers including      Bunker, the Lanes and Motion (for the more seasoned
Drum Bank, Mickleburghs, Music Room and PMT. Hardy’s              clubber). The O2 Academy also hosts club nights, including
Music, a family-run guitar and musical supplies shop, sits        Ramshackle – a weekly rave for the student masses.
right across the street from BIMM’s Passage Street building.      Propaganda is held at The Fleece and is regarded as the
Out of the centre, you can get to Cribbs Causeway, a large        UK’s biggest student night.
plot with lots of opportunities to spend money. It contains

6                                                                                                                                     7
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
My Bristol

                                                Go Explore
                                                Bristol has lots of amazing outdoor spaces to discover.          King Street is great if you are a beer enthusiast (Small Bar)
                                                                                                                 or love 80s arcade games (Kongs). This is probably my
                                                • Clifton Village/Suspension Bridge is the best place to go      favourite place to go for a few drinks before continuing the
                                                for cute cafés and amazing views. It’s also very                 evening somewhere else.
                                                Instagram-friendly!
                                                                                                                 Right down at the bottom of the street, you’ll find The
                                                • Harbourside has great bars and restaurants. You’ll find        Apple, a boat/bar serving all kinds of tasty ciders –
                                                We The Curious and The Aquarium here                             definitely a must-see!

                                                • The Downs is a gorgeous open field area just outside of        Thekla is the host of many different events and gigs, and
                                                the bustling city. Head up here for a walk (or jog) with         often puts on student nights with some really good deals.
                                                a view                                                           Loads of freshers hang out here in their first year, so this is
                                                                                                                 a great place to go to meet students from other campuses
                                                • Castle Park is right next to one of the BIMM Institute         as well.
                                                Bristol colleges (Passage Street). It’s a perfect place for
                                                picnics and sunbathing. You may find yourself hanging out        Eat and Shop
                                                here in between lectures once your course gets going             Bristol is the home of some fab restaurants, cafés and
                                                                                                                 shops. Cabot Circus is a good place to start for all of this
                                                Get Gigging                                                      –it’s basically got everything you need. But if you’re like me
                                                There are loads of great venues hosting open mics and jam        and prefer the more independent, hidden places, check
                                                nights all around Bristol. Getting involved with these is a      these out.
                                                great way to meet other musicians and start networking.
                                                                                                                 • St Nick’s Market is located in the centre of Bristol. It’s
                                                A few to check out are Mondays at Gallimaufry (Jam               where you can find some amazing food and cute little
                                                Night), Tuesdays at Nova (Open Mic Night), Wednesdays            shops. Every Saturday, St Nick’s hosts a vintage flea
                                                at Mr Wolfs (Open Mic Night) and Thursdays at LeftBank           market as well, which is definitely worth a look.
                                                (Jam Night). You can also find some of the best jam nights
                                                via BIMM Bristol’s Facebook student group, so be sure to         • The Bristolian is my absolute favourite coffee shop in
    Sally Van Hofsten                           sign up.                                                         Bristol! They serve a delicious coconut latte and their
                                                                                                                 veggie breakfast is to die for.
                                                Nightlife
                                                There are so many great places to go in Bristol to               • Park Street is where to go if you want some new vintage
                                                experience its vibrant nightlife.                                clothing. It’s got some great shops. Sobeys, The Vintage
We asked Bristol student Sally Van Hofsten to                                                                    Thrift Store and BS8 are some of my favourites.

take you on a tour of her beautiful city.       Stokes Croft/Gloucester Road is probably the liveliest
                                                place to go in Bristol for a night out. Whether it’s a chilled   This should keep you busy for starters. Don’t worry if you
                                                weekday drink at Full Moon Bar, enjoying some student            can’t fit it all in during Freshers’ Week – you’ll have three
                                                offers at Blue Lagoon on a Thursday, or an all-nighter at        years to find your favourite places. Enjoy!
                                                Lakota on a Friday, Stokes Croft/Gloucester Road has got
                                                you covered.

8                                                                                                                                                                                  9
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
10   11
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
About BIMM Institute Bristol

BIMM Institute Bristol opened its doors in 2008 and has
two buildings in the heart of this West Country city. One
is located at Passage Street (just a short walk from the
picturesque Castle Park) and one in the student hotspot,
King Square.

BIMM Institute Bristol Facilities
BIMM Institute Bristol benefits from two high specification
recording studios with live rooms – kitted out with industry-
standard Audient desks and a wide range of bookable
recording equipment. Final year students have additional
access to a local professional recording studio owned by
Jim Barr of Portishead. Here, they can apply the skills they
have developed in a real-world setting.

Performance students regularly perform at local
professional venues, such as Rough Trade, the Fleece and
the Thekla. You might see your favourite artists grace the
same stage that you play each week in class.

In addition to our onsite rehearsal rooms, recording
facilities and Mac labs, our ongoing relationship with
creative hub Pirate Studios provides 24/7 rehearsal and
production spaces. These allow for endless practice and
engagement with the thriving local music community.

Additionally, Bristol has an excellent selection of bookable
resources and unusual equipment that can help you push
the boundaries of your musical creation, such as a modular
synthesis rig and two vintage tape machines used for
experimental composition. Cameras, lights, mics and even
green screens are available to book for students interested
in media and content creation.

12                                                              13
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
BIMM Institute Bristol Lecturers
——

Hazel Mills                           Lee Kiernan                           James Hester                          Emily Breeze                              Andy Rea                                Jim Coles
Keys Lecturer                         Visiting Faculty                      Drums Lecturer                        Songwriting Lecturer                      Event Management Lecturer               Music Production Lecturer
Hazel Mills is a Bristol-based        Lee is a guitarist and co-writer in   James has played in bands for         Cult rock ‘n’ roll heroine of Bristol’s   Andy is a freelance journalist,         Jim is a music producer and DJ,
musician/songwriter who has           Bristol band IDLES alongside BIMM     his entire life and has been lucky    underground music scene,                  event manager and public relations      originally from Berkshire. He works
toured the globe across multiple      Institute drumming alumni, Jon        enough to work for major, minor       Emily Breeze is an outstanding            professional. In 2007, he founded       under the moniker ‘Om Unit’ and
genres, with artists including        Beavis. Since releasing their first   and indie labels – primarily with     songwriter and frontperson.               2000trees festival with five friends,   has released music on labels such
Florence + The Machine,               album Brutalism in 2017 to critical   the band Malachai (Island Records/    Described by the Sunday Times             held every year at Upcote Farm          as Metalheadz, Civil Music, and
Goldfrapp, Birdy, The Will Gregory    acclaim, they’ve been busy touring    Domino Records).                      as ‘the lovechild of P.J Harvey           near Cheltenham.                        Terrorhythm, as well as his own
Moog Ensemble, and The                the world and winning fans and                                              and Johnny Cash’, her critically                                                  imprint ‘Cosmic Bridge’. Jim has
Paper Cinema.                         accolades all over the globe.         He has recorded sessions for DJs      acclaimed recent album                    The festival has gone from strength     several LPs and many EPs/singles
                                                                            Zane Lowe, Gilles Peterson and        Rituals demonstrates her                  to strength, winning the ‘Grass         under his belt.
Her classical background, pop         Their second album, Joy as            Annie Mac. He’s also played live on   particular gift for storytelling          Roots Festival’ gong at the UK
sensibilities and passion for         an Act of Resistance, entered         BBC TV for Lily Allen, and live on    and timeless songwriting.                 Festival Awards 2010, 2013 and          He relocated to Bristol in 2015
1960s American minimalism and         the UK charts at No. 5, and in        radio for Tom Robinson.                                                         2017 and the Best Medium-Sized          after spending 15 years in
analog synths feed into both her      2019 the band were nominated                                                Emily is also an experienced              UK Festival in 2018. Andy also runs     London learning the art of DJing,
performance and her writing. She      for Best Breakthrough Act at          James has toured the UK with          lecturer, teaching across higher          ArcTanGent festival near Bristol.       collaborating with vocalists, and
has had the privilege of performing   the BRIT Awards and won the           Mr Hudson, Groove Armada and          and further education courses. She                                                honing his studio skills. Jim’s
at esteemed venues such as the        Kerrang! Award for Best British       Doves, and has played alongside       also holds a Masters degree               By day, Andy runs his own               2013 album Threads is widely
Hollywood Bowl, The Royal             Breakthrough Act. They were           fellow drummers Chad Smith, Jojo      in Songwriting.                           company, Redtarn PR & Events,           regarded as a ‘bass-music’ classic
Albert Hall and the London            also nominated for the Mercury        Mayer, Ian Matthews and Steve                                                   and lectures at BIMM Institute          – an umbrella term suitable for
Olympic Stadium.                      Prize 2019.                           White. He’s written for Drummer                                                 Bristol in Event Management and         his output, which often cross-
                                                                            and Rhythm magazines and is the                                                 Music Business.                         pollinates elements of jungle,
Alongside her touring                 When Lee is not touring, he is part   author of the drum tuition book,                                                                                        footwork, dub/downtempo and
commitments, Hazel has been           of our visiting faculty across BIMM   Mind Over Meter.                                                                                                        even ambient elements.
writing material for her own          Institute Bristol’s performance
project, Violaine, with long-term     modules and offers artist
collaborator and producer/            development tutorial support for
musician TJ Allen (who has worked     bands and songwriters.
with the likes of Bat For Lashes,
Portishead and Anna Calvi).

14                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       15
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
BIMM Institute Bristol Courses
——

 Further Education Courses:

 • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Songwriting

 • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance - (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals)

 Undergraduate Courses:

 Single Honours Degrees:

 • BA (Hons) Music and Sound Production

 • BA (Hons) Electronic Music Production

 • BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance (Guitar, Bass, Drums, Vocals, Keyboards)

 • BMus (Hons) Songwriting

 • BA (Hons) Event Management

 • BA (Hons) Music Business

 • BA (Hons) Music Marketing, Media and Communication

 Joint Honours Degrees:

 • BA (Hons) Music Production & Music Business

 • BA (Hons) Music Business & Event Management

 • BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Music Business

 • BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Music Production

 • BA (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Event Management

 • BMus (Hons) Popular Music Performance & Songwriting

 • BA (Hons) Songwriting & Music Business

 • BA (Hons) Songwriting & Music Production

 Postgraduate Courses:

 • MA Popular Music Practice

16                                                                                  17
Bristol City and Accommodation Guide - BIMM
BIMM Institute Bristol Resources
Bristol’s Passage Street college is home to a well-stocked     • LGBTQ+ - A regular inclusive meetup for LGBTQ+
library of core texts and a large back catalogue of music      identifying students to socialise and get more involved in
publications and magazines, ideal for the budding music        the local queer scene
marketer or keen researcher. There is a quiet study area
with computers and open access to the Mac labs with a          BIMM Extra
range of musical and creative software, such as Ableton,       The BIMM Extra programme of free evening and weekend
Logic, Pro Tools and the full Adobe Creative Suite,            workshops is determined by student feedback and
available during evenings and weekends.                        suggestions. Popular classes include:

The local Bristol Central Library houses a well-stocked        • Piano Skills – Delivered by Hazel Mills, the keys player
music and business section, and its Harry Potter-style         for Florence + the Machine, this very popular class helps
architecture makes it a special place for quiet study.         students of varying abilities progress with their keyboard
                                                               and synth skills.
The BIMM VLE is the digital hub for all learning resources.
These include an expansive e-library, bespoke course           • Photoshop and Filmmaking – Using our top of the range
reference books, peer-reviewed journals, online courses        film and editing equipment, students learn how to create
especially developed for our students and the full             high-quality visuals for use in a variety of creative projects.
Microsoft Office suite.
                                                               • Yoga – A weekly class of gentle beginners’ yoga to help
The Careers and Industry Hub is Bristol’s very own A&R         students de-stress and stay healthy.
room. Here, you can get some expert feedback on your
latest demo, some professional advice on your CV and           • Drawing with Sound – Students create abstract art
hear about industry placement opportunities.                   pieces, inspired by music and the sonic arts, and exhibit
                                                               these at the college.
BIMM Institute Bristol Student Associations and Clubs
The BIMM Student Association launched in 2019 with             BIMM Institute Bristol Location
elections each January to appoint a Student Association        BIMM Institute Bristol has a site at 25 King Square, Bristol,
President from the student body. The Student Association       BS2 8JN, and another about a ten-minute walk away at 1
President works with the students and staff team to            Passage Street, Bristol, BS2 0JF. You will have the majority
ensure student voices are heard and feedback acted             of your lessons in these two buildings.
on quickly.
                                                               However, depending on your course, some classes are held
The president also manages a wide range of student-led         off-site across the city. Nevertheless, it will still be within a
societies at the college. All students can propose societies   short distance of the Passage Street site.
and access funding for events and activities. Popular
societies this year include:

• DJ society - Students get together each week to eat
pizza, perform on open decks and learn skills in mixing on
CDJs and vinyl decks

• Football society – BIMM Institute provides a pitch for
students to arrange friendly local matches

18                                                                                                                                 19
Your City
——

Transport                                                        complicated one-way systems. If you cycle, you will find           If you are at home for the holidays, you can still see your    • 4-bed shared flat/house - £68
BIMM Institute Bristol is well connected to the rest of the      that you are not alone and there are initiatives laid out by       family GP if needed – they can see you as a visitor or an
city via public transport.                                       Bristol City Council to get people out on their bikes.             emergency patient.                                             • B&B (5 nights) - £160

Bus                                                              The Yo!Bike app allows you to ride a bike for just £1 with         There are also GP services near our college locations. The     It’s important to remember that as a full-time student, you
Both BIMM Institute Bristol sites are very close to the city     the first journey free - these are the yellow bikes seen           Compass Centre is nearest our King Square college while        are not liable to pay council tax if you are house sharing
centre and the King Square building is approximately three       around town.                                                       Broadmead Medical Centre and BS1 Surgery are a short           with other students. The local Council Tax Office will be
minutes’ walk from the central bus station. From the Bear                                                                           5-minute walk from our college at Passage Street.              notified of students who are exempt after enrolment.
Pit (Barton Roundabout) you can catch buses to areas in          Train                                                                                                                             However, you can also request a letter to confirm your
both North and South Bristol.                                    Temple Meads is Bristol’s central station. It is                   If you feel unwell and want some advice on what to do,         student status from reception.
                                                                 approximately a 20-minute walk from King Square and                please call NHS Direct (111). This is a 24-hour confidential
You can purchase a ‘Three Stop Hop’ ticket for just £1 to        only ten minutes from Passage Street and connects you              service that also offers information on your nearest           Students are responsible for setting up and paying for
get you between both BIMM colleges cheaply and quickly.          the rest of the country via First Great Western, Cross             GP, dentist, pharmacist or out of hours service. For an        their utility bills, including water, electricity, gas and
Students can show their BIMM ID to get a 30% discount on         Country and Stagecoach.                                            emergency, please dial 999.                                    internet access.
bus journeys.
                                                                 Take a look at the other stations around the city:                 You can also register for an NHS dentist. To find your         Council Information
Take a look at the most popular buses and their routes:                                                                             nearest dentist, head to the NHS website: nhs.uk               To find out about Bristol City Council services including
                                                                 • Parkway – A large station connecting Bristol to Wales,           Even though it’s an NHS service, there are normally            recycling, bins, leisure and parking, head to bristol.gov.uk
• 70 – Bristol Temple Meads – Centre – Ashley Down – UWE         surrounding Bristol towns, London and the Midlands                 charges for dental treatments and check-ups.

• 73 – Harbour – Bear Pit – Gloucester Road – Filton             • Montpelier – King Square’s nearest platform. This is an          Living Costs
 Avenue – Bristol Parkway Rail Station                           inner-city station which connects you to other parts of            It’s thought that the monthly rent for students living
                                                                 Bristol, including Bristol Temple Meads, Clifton, Lawrence         in Bristol is approximately £489.50 (according to the
• 75/76 – Harbour – Bear Pit – Gloucester Road –                 Hill and Stapleton Road                                            NatWest Student Living Index 2019). However, your
Cribbs Causeway                                                                                                                     average living costs when in Bristol can depend on where
                                                                 • Redland – Another platform near King Square connecting           you live, where you shop and what your hobbies include.
• 8/9 – Bristol Temple Meads – Bear Pit – Clifton – Redland      you to other parts of Bristol, including Shirehampton,
                                                                 Avonmouth and Severn Tunnel Junction                               To give you more of an idea, we’ve broken down
The Passage Street building is a couple minutes’ walk from                                                                          the average cost of rent in terms of the different
Victoria Street in the centre of Bristol. The buses that stop    Hospitals, GPs and Dentists                                        accommodation options available.
there are:                                                       While living in Bristol, it’s really important that you register
                                                                 with a GP. It’s easy to do and means that you can access           Average Price Guide Per Week:
• 1 – Bristol Temple Meads – Victoria Street – Broadmead –       medical care if and when you need it.
Centre – Whiteladies Road –Cribbs Causeway                                                                                          • Student halls - £140
                                                                 You’ll have to visit your chosen practice to register with
• 2 – Bristol Temple Meads – Victoria Street – Broadmead –       them (often via showing proof of your address). To find            • 1-bed studio/flat/house - £146
Centre – Whiteladies Road – Cribbs Causeway                      your local GP or hospital while in Bristol, you can head to
                                                                 the NHS website: nhs.uk                                            • 2-bed shared flat/house - £109
Bike
Bristol is a very popular cycling city. It is a more efficient                                                                      • 3-bed shared flat/house- £85
way of navigating the very congested roads and

20                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                21
Music Resources
 ——
The Bristol music industry is thriving in this culturally
rich and diverse city. With a reputation for being edgy,
out there and innovative, Bristol’s industry network is
constantly evolving and growing. Here are some of the
exciting businesses who have chosen Bristol as their home.

Record Stores:
Friendly Records
Rough Trade
Idle Hands
Studios:
Brunel Studios
Factory Studios
J&J Studios
Invada Studios
Record Labels:
Invada Records
Breakfast Records
Art is Hard
Saffron Music
Stolen Body Records
Music Agencies:
Red Light Management
Crosstown Concerts/ Management
PR & Communications Agencies:
Infectious PR
Konichiwa
Music Magazines & Blogs:
Bristol in Stereo
Tap The Feed
Event Management Companies:
Team Love
Arcadia
The MJR Group
Music Venues:
Bristol Beacon (Colston Hall)
Rough Trade
Thekla (DHP Family)
Motion/The Marble Factory
The Fleece
02 Academy

22                                                           23
24   25
Accommodation Guide                                                                                                          the city, we also have close relationships with the following
                                                                                                                             students lettings agents:
                                                                                                                                                                                             or vetted in any way by BIMM Institute Bristol and you
                                                                                                                                                                                             should, therefore, use them at your own risk.
——
                                                                                                                             HYBR                                                            Ask what charges you will have to pay before you enter
One essential thing you must ensure you have arranged          contents insurance and broadband. For further information,    HYBR support students in the city to find student               into an agreement with them. If you do have any concerns
prior to your studies at BIMM Institute Bristol is your        please visit loveiq.co.uk or call 0117 927 7498.              accommodation. We have an ethical partnership with HYBR         about the agency, contact the National Association of
accommodation. Your living arrangements can be an                                                                            and they would be more than happy to assist you in your         Estate Agents at naea.co.uk You could also find a number
important factor in your success as a student, and the         Studios 58                                                    search for a shared flat or house. Email: hello@hybr.co.uk      of existing house shares in Bristol, where you could join an
Student Services team is on hand to help you when              Studios 58 offers a range of contemporary studio              https://www.hybr.co.uk/                                         established group of people.
arranging this if required.                                    apartments, just along the street from King Square. Studios
                                                               58 has 99 apartments, a common room and a communal            Bristol SU Lettings                                             These can be found on the following websites:
We want your move to Bristol to be as pain-free and smooth     courtyard. To book, arrange a viewing or find out more,       5 Tundall Avenue                                                • gumtree.com/bristol
as possible. And with our Accommodation Guide, you’ll          please visit crm-students.com                                 Bristol BS8 1UD                                                 • accommodationforstudents.com
find everything you need to know to find those perfect                                                                       T: 0117 331 8266                                                • spareroom.co.uk
student digs. Bristol has various different types of student   The Mansion Group – Hotwells House                            E: bristolsu-lettings@bristol.ac.uk
accommodation available, such as:                              Hotwells House is in a great location on the Bristol          bristolsulettings.co.uk                                         Temporary Housing
                                                               waterfront. All flats have a large communal lounge and                                                                        If you are looking for temporary accommodation during the
• Private Student Accommodation (Halls of Residence)           contemporary open plan kitchen/ lounge area with a            Anthony James And Co                                            week whilst studying, there are many hostels offering cheap
• Shared flats and houses                                      flatscreen TV. The property has bike storage and there is     The Coach House                                                 rooms in the Bristol area. Please check out the following
• Bedsits                                                      also secure car parking available. Contact 0117 927 7783 or   38 Cotham Hill                                                  information for more details: Bristolbackpackers.co.uk does
• Part-board with a host family                                visit mansionstudent.co.uk to find out more.                  Bristol BS6 6LA                                                 deals on short and long term stays in shared dorms. There
                                                               If students are experiencing housing difficulties, they can   T: 01179 237 316                                                are other hostels which offer shared dorms and private
However, as Bristol is a university city, there is a heavy     join the housing and tenancy union ACORN for support and      antjam.com                                                      rooms, such as:
demand for student accommodation. We advise you to look        advice. For more information, visit acorntheunion.org.uk
as early as possible to find a place that suits your needs.                                                                  Jackson Property Lettings                                       • YHA Bristol, Narrow Quay
                                                               Bristol SU Lettings                                           141a St. Michael’s Hill                                         • The Full Moon Backpackers Hostel, Stokes Croft
Private Student Accommodation                                  5 Tundall Avenue                                              Bristol BS2 8DB                                                 • Rock ‘n’ Bowl Hostel, Nelson Street
(Halls of Residence/Dormitories)                               Bristol BS8 1UD                                               T: 0117 974 4121
BIMM Institute has a close relationship with the following     T: 0117 331 8266                                                                                                              House Viewings
Private student accommodation providers:                       E: bristolsu-lettings@bristol.ac.uk                           Main Newspapers/Magazines
                                                               bristolsulettings.co.uk                                       • Bristol Evening Post (Tuesdays and Fridays)                   Tips for Viewing Properties
King Square Studios                                                                                                          • The Mercury                                                   • We recommend viewing a property at least twice. You’ll be
King Square Studios is a fairly recent development located     Anthony James And Co                                                                                                          more likely to notice problems the second time around. Be
in the very same square as BIMM Institute Bristol’s King       The Coach House                                               Letting Agencies                                                aware, however, that student properties in Bristol are in high
Square building – in fact, it’s next door!                     38 Cotham Hill                                                In regards to letting agencies, you will more than likely be    demand and can be let very quickly!
Offering fully furnished apartments with competitive rent      Bristol BS6 6LA                                               asked for an admin fee, rent in advance, a deposit and a        • Take someone with you or let someone else know exactly
rates, broadband internet, contents insurance and TV, the      T: 01179 237 316                                              guarantor upfront, so be prepared for this.                     where you are when you visit a property, just to err on the
buildings also house common areas, a games room, a home        antjam.com                                                                                                                    side of caution
cinema and a gym. For further information, visit               Jackson Property Lettings                                     Shelter Advice                                                  • It’s also a good idea to visit the area at night. If you do
host-students.com or call 0844 371 5612.                       141a St. Michael’s Hill                                       Shelter is a registered charity that campaigns to end           this, please ensure you stick to the point above and take
                                                               Bristol BS2 8DB                                               homelessness and bad housing in England and Scotland.           someone with you
IQ Letting Property Partnership                                T: 0117 974 4121                                              Email: info@shelter.org.uk                                      • Make sure you and all your other housemates view the
IQ has developed student accommodation on Marlborough                                                                                                                                        property. Don’t take someone else’s word that the property
Street in Bristol – just a five-minute walk from BIMM’s                                                                      Telephone our Supporter Helpdesk on 0300 330 1234 from          is right for you
King Square site. The development offers various types         House-shares & Flat Shares:                                   Monday to Friday 9 am - 6 pm.                                   • Compare a range of different landlords and properties
of accommodation, which are all-inclusive of utility bills,    If you were hoping to find a shared flat or house share in    House Shares                                                    • Take your time and don’t let landlords pressure you – there
                                                                                                                             Please be aware that the agents listed have not been visited    is a surplus of good properties in the area and you will find
26                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           27
somewhere you like                                               which can’t be overwritten by the contract.                       property at reasonable times during the day to carry out         Your deposit, or part of it, will be withheld if you:
• When you go to view, take notes and photos and use                                                                               repairs for which they are responsible for and                   • Fail to return ALL keys at the end of the tenancy
our checklist to make sure you don’t miss anything.              Before you sign, make sure you understand all the clauses,        inspect the condition of the property. 24 hours’ written         • Are responsible for any damage to the property, either
Photographic evidence of existing issues when you move           so there can be no nasty surprises after you’ve signed.           notice to inspect the property must be given. Arrangement        wilful or negligent
into a property can also help when it comes time to reclaim      If asked to sign an agreement, it is likely to be an Assured      for access to the property must be written into the contract.    • Have not cleaned the property adequately
your deposit                                                     Shorthold Tenancy Agreement and will normally last for                                                                             • Have left rubbish which needs removing from
• Get informed – knowing your rights will help you view          at least six months, after which the tenancy will run on a        Tenants have the right to possess and enjoy the property         the property
properties more critically and put you in a stronger             monthly basis. However, many tenancies run for a fixed            during the tenancy without any interruption from the
negotiating position                                             term, i.e. July 1st, 2020 to June 30th, 2021.                     landlord. This clause does not limit any of the rights made      Can I deduct my deposit from my last month’s rent?
                                                                                                                                   under this agreement that the tenant has allowed the             No, because to do so would be a breach of your contract. It
Finding Housemates                                               In this case, make sure that you are happy with the length        landlord/landlady to exercise. Neither does it prevent the       is important that rent and deposits are separate.
BIMM Bristol Accommodation Facebook Group                        of the contract as it is very unlikely that you will be able to   landlord from taking lawful steps to enforce these rights if
Facebook is a good way to link up with people who are            end the tenancy early. The terms of the agreement must be         the tenant should break any of the terms of the agreement.       What is a guarantor, and will I need to sign
already at BIMM Institute or who are starting at the same        in plain, intelligible language and not be unfair. For example,                                                                    a guarantor form?
time as you. Some students set up groups prior to starting       the tenant should not be restricted from breaking a fixed         What bills can I expect to pay?                                  A guarantor is someone who signs an agreement to pay
BIMM in order to find housemates. Using this facility is a       term agreement if the landlord is not in the same way, nor        Depending on your own personal consumption, you can              for any rent or damages if the tenant fails to pay up. The
great way to post information about yourself, the type of        should they be subject to unreasonable rent increases             expect to pay £10 – £15 per week for utility bills. Remember     guarantor must reside in the UK. Some landlords ask for
housing you are looking for and also any rooms that you or       or held to unreasonable penalty clauses (for example,             that if solely full-time students occupy a property, then they   a guarantor, but not all do. So, there are still plenty of
others may know about, which are available for rent. It’s the    extortionate charges for late payment of rent).                   are exempt from Council Tax.                                     properties to choose from if you don’t have someone who
perfect place for students to acquaint themselves with their                                                                                                                                        will be a guarantor for you.
fellow course friends and find appropriate housemates.           Get a tenancy agreement checked first by an informed              If one professional lives in a house with students, council
Search for group names such as “BIMM Freshers 2020”.             person, such as an advisor from the Citizens Advice Bureau.       tax requirements are reduced to 75% of the standard              A guarantor is taking on quite a large responsibility,
                                                                 If the landlord/agent won’t let you take the contract away        payment. Make sure to verify your council tax requirements       particularly if you are signing a joint contract. For example, if
Frequently Asked Questions                                       to get it checked first, think twice about signing it. Spend a    in advance if you live with any non-students.                    your housemate hasn’t paid their rent, your guarantor could
How do I know what to look for when viewing                      little extra time in getting your contract checked out to save                                                                     be made to pay.
a property?                                                      time, money and stress later in the year.                         You can obtain a council tax exemption letter from
We have checklists and tools to help when you’re viewing                                                                           reception or a member of Student Services. Once you have         Do not sign a contract that requires a guarantor form until
properties. Use the checklist below to make sure you ask         What Is the landlord responsible for?                             this, you will need to contact the council to tell them that     you and your guarantors have read the form and agreed to
the right questions and look into all the key areas:             • Heating and hot water installation                              you are exempt or eligible for a discount.                       sign. If you have already signed a contract, but a guarantor
                                                                 • Baths, sinks, basins and other sanitary installations                                                                            refuses to sign, you might not get the keys to the property. A
• Does the place look well maintained?                           • The structure of the exterior of the property                   What is a deposit?                                               good landlord will give you copies of the forms and time to
• Will you be warm enough in winter? Are the windows             • Repairs and safety of gas and electrical appliances             The deposit is generally equivalent to one and a half            check them through.
double-glazed? This will also help reduce heating costs          • Ensuring that any furniture that he or she supplies meets       month’s rent. Your landlord or agent must, under the 2004
throughout the winter                                            fire resistant requirements                                       Housing Act, protect your deposit within 14 days of receiving    Ask the landlord to accept a limited guarantee from your
• Will it be safe and secure?                                                                                                      it as part of the Tenancy Deposit Protection Scheme and          guarantor, e.g. just covering your rent/damages. Tell your
• Does it have the space and facilities you need (i.e. washing   What is the tenant responsible for?                               provide you with certain information relating to this.           guarantor not to give too much personal information on the
machine, heating, fridge/freezer)?                               • Water and sewage charges                                                                                                         form, e.g. Nl number, bank details or passport details should
• Are the current tenants happy with the landlord?               • Utility bills – gas, electricity, telephone and internet        This scheme ensures that deposits paid to the landlords          not be necessary.
• Is the property affordable and good value?                     connection (if any)                                               are kept safe and that tenants get their deposits back at the
• Is the area suitable for your needs?                           • Taking care of the property                                     end of the tenancy, so long as there hasn’t been a breach of     I am leaving the house a few weeks early - can I get my
                                                                 • Using the property in a responsible way                         the tenancy agreement, such as unpaid rent.                      deposit back early?
Will I need to sign a contract to rent a room?                   • Paying the rent as agreed                                                                                                        It may be possible for you to come to an arrangement for
Most landlords/agents will ask you to sign a tenancy             • Keeping to the terms and conditions of the agreement            Remember that the money held as a deposit remains yours          the early return of the deposit, but the landlord/agent will
agreement. This is a legally binding document setting out                                                                          at all times and not the landlord’s, and only by mutual          obviously want to inspect the house and check all rent
each party’s rights and responsibilities. By signing it, both    What rights do both the landlord and tenant have?                 agreement should any money be deducted.                          is paid.
you and the landlord have certain rights protected in law        The landlord or his agents have the right to access the

28                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 29
Join Us in Bristol

To apply to BIMM Institute Bristol, book an audition
or ask us a question, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

We can’t wait for you to join us in this incredible city –
and start your career (and life) in music.

BIMM Institute Bristol
25 King Square
Bristol
BS2 8JN

BIMM Institute Bristol
1 Passage St
Bristol
BS2 0JF

Tel (UK): 0844 264 6666
Email: admissions@bimm.ac.uk
Web: bimm.ac.uk

          BIMMInstitute

          BIMM_Institute

          tvbimm

          bimm_stagram

30                                                             31
bimm.ac.uk

32
You can also read