Help Keep The Quadrant Open

The Quadrant is an independently owned community pub in Clifton, Bristol, which I’ve proudly managed and owned for the past 20 years.

Independent hospitality businesses have faced immense challenges over the past decade—first battling through the pandemic, and now navigating a relentless cost of living crisis. But recently, we’ve been hit by a devastating and unexpected blow.

During building works by the local council outside our pub, contractors accidentally drilled through the ceiling of our basement toilets. As a result, we’ve been without proper toilet facilities for over a month, relying instead on temporary “throw-back to Glastonbury” portaloos.

We’ve done everything possible to keep the pub running, and we’re incredibly grateful to our loyal customers for their patience and support during this time. Unfortunately, the impact on the business has been severe.

The council has admitted liability and promised to repair the damage, but they’ve provided no timeline and have no emergency support in place for businesses affected by their own negligence. In the meantime, we’ve experienced a 30–50% drop in weekly sales—far more than any small business can withstand. With narrow margins and little financial cushion, even a 10% loss can be critical.

We simply cannot continue for more than a couple of weeks under these conditions. Bills, wages, and taxes still need to be paid—and the company credit card isn't bottomless.

Although compensation is expected via the council’s or their contractor’s insurance, the process could take months. That delay leaves us with an impossible gap in revenue that we cannot bridge alone.

That’s why we’re launching this GoFundMe. We’re aiming to raise £20,000 to help us stay afloat until the situation is resolved. When the business is eventually reimbursed, we’ll donate the full amount raised to The Burnt Chef Project, which supports mental health in the hospitality industry—an issue close to our hearts and made even more urgent by situations like this.

Any donations beyond our £20,000 target will also go directly to the charity.

Thank you for your continued support over the past 20 years. We hope, with your help, to keep The Quadrant alive and give back to an industry that means so much to so many.

With sincere gratitude,

Tom Rowell

The Quadrant Team