Goodbye to "iconic" Bristol Blue Glass

Bristol Blue Glass has announced that it will be shutting its doors at the end of May 2026, citing the Government's "appalling treatment of small businesses" and rising costs, despite local councillor's campaign to secure the business new premises. 

Bristol Blue Glass is an iconic Bristolian small business, manufacturing and selling the city's signature blue glass that has been produced for centuries.

At the end of last year, the company was facing eviction and desperately needed new premises. But with a requirement for space for glass production and a shopping floor, the search was proving difficult.

Local councillor Andrew Varney (Liberal Democrat, Brislington West) stepped in and launched a petition to help the company find a new site, which saw over 7,000 signatories from across the world. 

This helped to raise the company's profile and reignite efforts within the council to work with them to find a suitable new location.

Sadly, despite the successful campaign and new premises secured with the council, the company has made the difficult decision to close its doors.

In a post shared on the company's Facebook page, the company discussed the “ongoing challenges [which] have simply become insurmountable for a small business like ours": 

“The challenges stem largely from the government’s appalling treatment of small businesses, their lack of leadership, and the high tax burden that makes operating a manufacturing business more like an expensive hobby than a sustainable livelihood.”

The Labour Government has increased the amount of employer's National Insurance contributions that businesses are required to pay for each employee, putting additional strain on small businesses trying to survive.

Trump's illegal war in Iran and the corresponding massive increase in the cost of energy and fuel has been another factor that has added to the “overwhelming” financial strain on the business.

Cllr Andrew Varney said: "It is absolutely heartbreaking that this Bristol icon is having to shut its doors due to being priced out of trading. 

"Promoting the company's plight and helping to secure new premises last year was one of my proudest achievements.

"However, national and international circumstances conspired against us, and I'm sorry that the company wasn't able to make it over this final hurdle.

“How many more small businesses have to close for this Labour Government to recognise its failures and step in?”

Cllr Jos Clark (Liberal Democrat, Brislington West) said:

“We were proud to have Bristol Blue Glass based in Brislington West for so long. It is one of our city’s stand-out businesses, and was a real highlight in our community. It is terrible to see that they have been forced to close as a failing of national policy.

“Now, this Labour Government needs to wake up and act before more small businesses close. It needs to reverse its employer’s National Insurance hike that punishes businesses for hiring staff, address the increase in the cost of fuel and energy caused by Trump’s illegal war in Iran, and reform business rates so that businesses pay a fair price for their premises.

“If the Government had taken these steps, then maybe Bristol Blue Glass could’ve continued to operate and provide the world with our legendary blue glass.”

Cllr Andrew Brown (Liberal Democrat, Hengrove and Whitchurch), Chair of the Council’s Economy and Skills Committee, said:

“I worked hard with council officers to identify a new location for Bristol Blue Glass that met their specific needs of a light industrial capability coupled with a high-foot traffic commercial space. Progress was being made to secure this new space for them, and the situation was looking hopeful for the future of the company.

“Sadly, it was not to be. Not only is this a huge cultural loss for the city, but it is also a worrying economic indicator for other small businesses. With experts warning the government that the UK is facing a potential recession, the Government needs to do more to support small businesses sooner rather than later.

“The Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for Bristol’s small businesses and push the Government to make the changes that will keep them alive.”