The green Bristol pound

Sponsored Feature: The green Bristol pound
Bristol Pound will celebrate its third anniversary this Friday with a night market, food stalls and street entertainment at St Nick's Market.

“We were one of the key reasons why Bristol was chosen as European Green Capital,” says Michael Lloyd-Jones, from Bristol Pound.

“We provided a sense of fun and innovation to the application,” he adds.

Indeed Bristol mayor George Ferguson famously takes his salary in Bristol pounds and the council's commitment to the Bristol Pound extends to accepting council tax payment in the city's own currency.

Three years ago this September the Bristol pound was launched as a unique city wide currency. Its aim was simple - to try and keep as much money as possible being spent in Bristol kept in Bristol.

The idea is that more wealth would be created in Bristol, because less money would leave the city and get lost in the global financial system.

Run as a fully-regulated not-for-profit partnership, the Bristol Pound can be bought with sterling and spent at hundreds of shops, businesses and restaurants across the city.

At the core of the Bristol Pound philosophy is supporting the city's independent business sector and encouraging them to thrive, but the scheme now offers so much more thanks to Bristol Green Capital.

Bristol 2015 has opened doors for the currency, says Michael. “It has made a notable difference and given use opportunities which would have taken longer to achieve.”

The Bristol Pound can now buy energy and train tickets at Temple Meads. Larger business in Bristol are also embracing the currency, swapping to local independent suppliers who also take Bristol Pounds.

“Our aim in 10 years is to make the Bristol pound normal and 2015 will be seen as a step change towards that,” says Michael.

“We have inspired other cities to follow. Exeter is launching this year and we hope we can share what we have learned and all work together.”

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