Shops / Shop of the Week
Shop of the week: Bristol Independent Gaming, Bishopsworth
On entering Bristol Independent Gaming’s (BIG) store in Bishopsworth, customers will find themselves greeted by cabinets and tabletops filled with hand painted gaming miniatures and detailed 3D printed terrains.
With a mission to create an inviting, comfortable and enjoyable experience for tabletop gamers in Bristol, the store on Cater Road brings to life owner Jim’s passion for hand crafting miniatures, building gaming scenery and knowing what amounts to each and every game played in store.
Run by partners Jim and Ellen, BIG has offered Bristol a unique gaming venue and hobby store since relocating from Plymouth in 2014.
Jim hand paints a wide variety of the gaming miniatures displayed at BIG
Originally based in a warehouse in Brislington, BIG’s winter tournaments often came with a bit of a chill – players dressed in layers and Jim’s partner Ellen bringing players hot water bottles to keep them warm.
Despite the temperatures, BIG’s warm communal atmosphere by far made up for any frostbite and hypothermia suffered by hardcore war gamers.
However since September 2021, BIG has moved to a much more comfortable and well-facilitated venue in Bishopsworth.
The new venue has an improved array of gaming tables, a wider variety of terrain and on-site 3D printing and airbrushing facilities and courses run by Jim himself (also known as BIG Jim Prints).
Jim admits that while relocating just after the pandemic was initially stressful, it provided a silver lining.
The pandemic saw many people rediscover board games and painting gaming miniatures at home, bringing an ever-growing customer base since 2021.
BIG provides a space for keen gamers of all ages to find a community in one place – inviting young gamers of ages 8-11 together with customers in their 70s – all pulled together by one shared interest.
A wide selection of board games can be found at BIG
Before starting BIG, Jim previously managed pubs and nightclubs and has found that running the gaming space “feels very much like a village pub type community” in the sense that it has created a space for locals and regulars to form communities and friendships.
Reflecting on BIG’s opening over a decade ago, Jim said: “It’s great seeing the communities that come through, seeing kids grow up through it”.
One of BIG’s regulars used to visit the store with his baby and has since returned together with his now grown up son, often seen gaming together at the shop.
As an important hub for Bristol’s gaming community, BIG looks forward to welcoming anyone who has a passion for gaming: whether it be ordering custom prints through BIG Jim Prints to bring gaming characters to life, taking part in airbrushing courses or simply to find a welcoming space to play and connect with other gamers – BIG continues to grow from the same spirit it was founded on.
Customers at BIG can hire out paints, tools, compressors and airbrushes to bring their gaming characters to life
All photos: Alana Levi
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