Nestled beneath the expansive canopy of a centuries-old London plane tree, Kingsmead Square remains one of Bath’s most vibrant commercial hubs. Known for its pastel-coloured bunting, lively buskers, and welcoming benches filled with visitors admiring the city’s historic charm, the square exudes a unique appeal.
The area thrives with a mix of patrons: young professionals and students proudly sip their £6 lattes from Starbucks, while local eateries like Dough serve imaginative pizzas adorned with seaweed, turmeric, and hemp bases. Bath Bus Station Fruiters - a family-run business for almost 50 years - provides fresh produce with a friendly smile. Notably, Kingsmead Street Bottle recently earned acclaim as Bath’s best bar.
Yet beneath this lively atmosphere, a persistent issue shadows Kingsmead Square: anti-social behaviour (ASB). Last summer, Avon & Somerset Police implemented a weekend-long dispersal order aimed at protecting both residents and tourists from disruptive conduct. More recently, on Sunday, 26 July, a 52-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of robbery after police responded to an incident around 3pm in the square.
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Local greengrocer Conor, 30, whose family runs Bath Bus Station Fruiterers, acknowledged the longstanding nature of the problem. “Only for the last 15 years!” he said with a rueful laugh. Conor described how groups regularly gather daily, occupying benches and consuming alcohol for extended periods. “It’s not ideal for any business to see this happening here. Families and children visit, yet one of them lit a spliff just five minutes ago - I could smell it instantly.”
A shopper nearby, overhearing the conversation, added her experience: “This is a beautiful place but would I sit here with my kids? No. I’ve seen drug use and solicitation around the area.”
The complexities of ASB are further illustrated through personal encounters. The article’s author shared an experience with a woman soliciting money for transport to hospital. However, the request shifted from spare change for a bus ticket to £10 for a train to Bristol Royal Infirmary – and eventually to £20 for a return trip – raising doubts about the woman’s intentions. This experience underscored the sadness behind many such encounters, where underlying issues like poverty, mental illness, addiction, and unaddressed trauma often drive behaviour.
Despite these challenges, Bath remains one of the safest places its residents have known. Although its crime rate is about 16% higher than the national average, it is still considered the safest major town in Somerset. However, Kingsmead Square seems to be the focal point for anti-social incidents, affecting both local businesses through disrupted trade and visitors who may feel intimidated or unsafe.
The square also highlights the socio-economic divide within the city, contrasting the grand Georgian townhouses of the Royal Crescent with the street dwellers seeking refuge on benches or outside supermarkets.
Councillor Manda Rigby, cabinet member for communication and community, emphasised the city’s efforts to address the problem: “Bath is a fantastic and vibrant city, which attracts many visitors. In fact, it has recently been voted the best and happiest city in the world in two Time Out surveys. We want everyone to enjoy and feel safe in Bath but, like all city centres, there is often some anti-social behaviour, which we do not want to see.
“The council works closely with the Business Improvement District (BID) and the police to manage this. We encourage anyone feeling unsafe to report anti-social behaviour; helpful links are available on our website.
“We are currently consulting on a Street Strategy that outlines a clear, co-ordinated approach to ensure public spaces are safe and accessible. We urge everyone to participate and have their say.”