Bristol aims to attract creatives with lantern launch
Bristol City Council is tonight planning to launch 500 Chinese lanterns from the Bristol Downs in an effort to raise the city’s profile as a creative city.
The event is being organised by Bristol City Council Place Making Director, Mike Bennett and is being sponsored by the Destination Bristol business partnership, with support from the Bristol-China partnership.
“As part of my new role as Place Making Director, I will be looking to organise regular events that animate Bristol and help raise its profile in an effort to attract more green and digital industries to the area,” explained Bennett, himself owner of Bristol-based Digital studio, E3.
“It’s a pretty dull time of year, and it’s Chinese New Year, so the idea is that we brighten up the Bristol skies with this wonderful Chinese tradition to mark their New Year.
The final all-clear for the event, which is being managed by an army of volunteers drawn mainly from the city’s creative industries, will be given by 3.30pm, dependent on permission on the day by Air Traffic Control, and the weather.
“This should be a great family event and I urge Bristol residents to come along to the Downs on the evening to watch the spectacle,” enthused Bennett.