
Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion; how to launch a new business in Bristol
Find out how we’ve become the go-to marketing and PR agency when it comes to helping nationwide restaurant groups integrate seamlessly into Bristol’s scene.
Nationwide Restaurant Groups
Duchess Media was born from our love of Bristol’s incredible hospitality scene, and over the last decade we’ve not only worked with many of the city’s best indie bars, restaurants and venues, but we’ve also become the go-to marketing and PR agency when it comes to helping nationwide restaurant groups integrate seamlessly into Bristol’s scene.
With such a vibrant community and celebrated food scene, Bristol is a city that prides itself on championing independent businesses, with locals who are passionate about supporting small, homegrown brands. For larger groups entering the city, it’s essential to respect this ethos by building genuine connections with local suppliers, charities, influencers, and brands to genuinely become part of the fabric of the community. That’s where we come in.
With over a decade of connections across the city and experience in countless brand partnerships, we know exactly how to facilitate these relationships and ensure a smooth, authentic transition into Bristol life. We’ve done this successfully for brands like Wingstop, Rosa’s Thai, Treetop Golf, and Six by Nico, tailoring our approach for each client.
Every client has their own unique requirements, but the core of what we offer remains the same: connecting them with the right people to help them establish a meaningful presence in the city. From engaging with key press, influencers, and tastemakers to creating opportunities for collaboration, we craft strategies that fit each brand’s needs.
For most launches, we take the reins on event planning, from building an invite list of the perfect guests to managing logistics on the day. We know that local lifestyle and foodie influencers are instrumental in creating buzz, and we’ve spent years cultivating relationships with the biggest names in Bristol’s Instagram and TikTok scenes.
We also make introductions to local suppliers and charities, helping brands show their commitment to supporting the community and its economy. These partnerships demonstrate a willingness to integrate authentically, which Bristol locals appreciate.
What they needed
What we did
Bristol welcomes newcomers who bring genuine passion to the city’s food scene - but it’s easy to get it wrong. With over a decade in the industry we’ve seen the good, the bad and the ugly from brands trying to make it in Bristol, and we’ll always be brutally honest on what works, and what really hasn’t - e.g. avoid the word ‘Brizzle’ at all costs!!
That’s why we work as consultants, guiding clients every step of the way to ensure they fit right in. From connecting brands to the right people to creating and delivering impactful PR activations, we handle it all.
Natalie Poole, Marketing Manager
It’s been a pleasure working with Duchess for our newest opening in Bristol. Their passion for hospitality and strong community partnerships made them the perfect agency to help execute our local-first approach. We couldn’t be happier with the results and the response we’ve had to our opening.
Rosa’s Thai
By helping our clients navigate the unique dynamics of Bristol, we’ve been able to position them as welcomed additions to the city. Whether it’s building strong relationships with local influencers or establishing meaningful partnerships with suppliers and charities, we’ve helped our clients gain the trust and support of the Bristol community.
The key with Bristol is to really want to be part of what our incredible hospitality industry has worked so hard to create - rather than just wanting a slice of it. The businesses who thrive here are those who get amongst it, get involved in local initiatives and most importantly, get to know their neighbours, because after all - it’s all about community!
If you’re looking for an expert PR, events and marketing agency, which specialises in hospitality and lifestyle, to handle your restaurant or venue launch in Bristol, the South West or beyond, give us a shout as your go-to experts!