Patchway B&Q closes after travellers arrive at 21:30 BST: will your midweek shop be cancelled today?

An evening arrival at a Bristol retail site disrupted routines and sparked a swift joint response from police, bailiffs and staff.

B&Q’s Patchway branch shut its doors on Wednesday after an unauthorised encampment appeared on the Lysander Road car park the previous night. Avon and Somerset Police said they were called at about 21:30 BST on Tuesday and have remained in contact with both store management and those on site while the landowner’s bailiffs served notice to leave.

Police received a call at around 21:30 BST on Tuesday after an unauthorised encampment appeared at the Patchway B&Q car park.

What happened on Tuesday night

Officers attended the retail site near Patchway after reports of caravans and associated vehicles moving onto the B&Q car park. Police spoke with store staff and members of the group, while representatives for the landowner issued a legal notice requiring departure. The chain has not commented publicly.

The branch closed to customers on Wednesday while the situation was managed. Staff focused on site safety, stock security and liaising with authorities. No arrests were announced. No injuries were reported to police at the time of writing.

Bailiffs acting for the landowner have served notice, and police say contact with both the store and the encampment continues.

Impact on shoppers and staff

The closure disrupted midweek shopping plans and affected trade customers who rely on early weekday openings. Click-and-collect orders faced delays, with access to the collection point restricted while the car park remained partially occupied. Some nearby retailers reported heavier footfall as customers sought alternatives.

What you can do if you planned to visit

• Check for up-to-date opening status before travelling and consider adjusting delivery or collection windows.
• Keep order numbers and receipts handy to rearrange collection or seek a refund if needed.
• If you need urgent materials, phone ahead to nearby branches or consider next‑day delivery to a safe address.
• Tradespeople with time‑sensitive jobs should factor in extra travel time and consider substitute product lines.

How the process works

When an unauthorised encampment appears on private land, the landowner typically remains responsible for seeking a remedy. That often starts with a civil notice and, if necessary, an application to the county court for possession. In some circumstances, police may consider powers available under public order and highways legislation if specific thresholds are met, such as evidence of criminal damage, threatening behaviour or significant obstruction.

Before any enforcement action, agencies usually carry out welfare checks, consider vulnerabilities and balance public access, safety and proportionality. Engagement can lead to a voluntary departure, which avoids lengthy legal steps and tends to minimise disruption to nearby businesses and residents.

Possible next steps

Balancing rights, responsibilities and public access

Groups setting up on private land face the landowner’s civil remedies and, in certain cases, police powers. At the same time, authorities have duties around welfare, safeguarding and equality. The aim is to manage the situation without escalation, protect public access and keep disruption to a minimum. Retail car parks present specific risks, including restricted emergency access, vehicle movements around pedestrians and potential fire hazards if camping equipment sits close to traffic flow routes.

Businesses often activate continuity plans in these circumstances. That might involve redirecting deliveries, suspending click‑and‑collect, moving stock from perimeter areas and posting staff at entrances to guide drivers. Clear communication reduces confusion and prevents tailbacks on approach roads.

What nearby residents noticed

Local roads saw extra stop‑start movement as customers turned away at short notice. Neighbouring stores reported a brief spike in parking demand during the morning. Residents described a visible police presence alongside private security and bailiff representatives, with cones and temporary barriers used to manage access.

Retail and community takeaways

DIY stores depend on large car parks for weekend peaks and morning trade. Even a short closure can ripple across supply chains and diaries, especially for trades working to fixed appointments. For communities, a clear pathway to resolution builds confidence and reduces friction. For travelling families, access to basic services and respectful engagement reduces tensions and helps a timely move‑on.

Practical guidance for retailers facing similar disruption

• Prioritise safety: keep emergency access routes clear and brief staff on safe vehicle and pedestrian movement.
• Communicate early: update customers about closures, collection changes and delivery options.
• Secure perimeters: lock unused gates, protect vulnerable stock and relocate gas canisters or fuels.
• Document events: keep a log of timings, conversations and notices served to support any legal steps.
• Coordinate partners: maintain a single point of contact for police, bailiffs and centre management.

Why the timing matters

A late‑evening arrival, such as the 21:30 BST callout in Patchway, often limits immediate civil action because many processes rely on business‑hours coordination. That pushes more of the engagement into the following morning and can trigger a day’s closure if the car park remains partially blocked. Early, respectful dialogue sometimes accelerates voluntary departure and shortens downtime.

What to expect if you’re returning later this week

Once the group leaves, the landowner will typically inspect the area, remove any debris, check lighting and CCTV coverage, and reopen when safe. Customers may see temporary barriers or traffic marshals during the first hours of reopening while the layout returns to normal. If you hold time‑sensitive orders, keep contact details handy to rearrange collection times as soon as the branch confirms access.

For readers curious about the legal landscape, powers such as those in the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994 can apply in defined circumstances. Thresholds usually include behaviour or conditions that create clear risks or serious disruption. Where those thresholds are not met, civil procedures led by the landowner tend to take precedence. The measured approach seen in Patchway—engagement, notice, monitoring—fits the pattern designed to protect safety and limit disruption to shoppers, staff and nearby residents.