Shops and bars along Bristol’s Gloucester Road, Britain’s longest street of independent traders, are preparing for a boost from Bank Holiday Monday’s cricket international between England and India.
Some 16,000 cricket fans will descend on the area for the first of the Royal London One-Day International series at the County Ground in Bishopston. 
Staff working in nearby Gloucester Road’s eclectic mix of shops, bars and restaurants are helping build the atmosphere with special promotions to catch the eyes of the visiting fans.
Many are wearing t-shirts in the colours of the flags of both countries with the slogan East Meets…The West Country, as well as painting their faces and serving specially-themed food and drink.
Gloucestershire County Cricket Club head of community engagement Roz Hutchings said: “The idea is traders get on board and be as creative as they like so when local shoppers as well as spectators visit Gloucester Road, they feel the buzz. We’ve been delighted with the reaction from the businesses.”
Sarah Thorp at gallery Room 212 has created an Indian-themed window display using paintings, prints and jewellery by Bristol artists as well as offering 10% off a range of products for ticket holders.
Ticket holders will also receive 10% off at gift and clothing store Moodles.
Some traders are also offering discounts to fans who can show a match day ticket between now and the end of Bank Holiday Monday.
Roz Hutchings added: “A number of pubs along Gloucester Road have been working with the club this summer on the Friday night NatWest T20 Blast matches and it’s been a real success, encouraging fans to visit Gloucester Road after the matches.
“Now we want the spectators at the one-day international to do the same so the traders feel the economic benefit from Bristol hosting international matches and to also showcase what Gloucester Road has to offer so fans want to return.”
For a full list of traders who are taking part and the discounts they’re offering head to www.gloscricket.co.uk
Meanwhile Bristol street artist Rob Wheeler today started painting the murals which will greet fans to the County Ground on Monday.
The art work, inspired by the East Meets…The West Country theme, is a blend of bright colours and bold designs based on English and Indian patterns to celebrate the coming together of the two cultures here in Bristol – a city famous for its innovative street art.
Rob said: “My dad was born in India so I felt a real connection when Gloucestershire Cricket approached me about the project.
“I decided to base the project on old patterns found in fabrics and retro crockery like Hornsea as they evoke the similar sort of childhood memories in me as smells of cut grass and roast dinners do.”
Rob’s work will act as the springboard for a legacy programme called Street:Art which will engage with a number of different communities in the months after the international.
Directed by Rob, groups will visit the County Ground to create their own pieces of art, which will then be displayed around the ground.
Monday’s match is expected to attract a global TV audience of 100m, offering Bristol a chance to showcase itself to people across the world.
