Motion returns to Bristol with Momentum series

Motion plans a new Bristol venue and launches Momentum to support emerging artists from October.

Motion returns to Bristol with Momentum series

Motion, the Bristol nightclub known for hosting world famous DJs, closed its doors in July after the landlord chose to sell the Grade II listed warehouse near Bristol Temple Meads. The team has announced a new venue in Victoria Terrace, St Phillips, and a new event series called Momentum that aims to start in October. The first Momentum event is scheduled for 18 October and will focus on giving space to up and coming artists while continuing to attract international acts.

The relocation signals a continuity of Motion’s brand in a different space and reflects how Bristol’s nightlife adapts to changing property markets. The series is pitched as a platform for new music and ideas and is framed as a way for Bristol’s creative community to thrive. Fans have long described Motion as a heart of the city’s nightlife, and the new project will test whether a relocated site can sustain momentum in a competitive scene.

The move shows how cultural venues survive real estate pressure by retooling space rather than closing for good. It also highlights the risk of losing beloved venues to property markets, even as the city seeks to keep its cultural economy vibrant. Momentum could become a model for other independent clubs if it successfully supports local talent without losing the international appeal Motion built during its years at the old site.

But the project faces challenges: securing ongoing funding, navigating licensing and noise controls, and keeping programming affordable for local artists. Bristol’s authorities and investors will watch closely to see if the new venue can sustain the same level of creative risk that defined Motion in its 2006 to 2023 run.

Highlights

A new chapter for Bristol night life starts with cautious optimism