Yikes, it’s January! There’s magic in new beginnings (so they say), but this month can be a tough one to embrace as you crawl your way out of the end-of-year revelries and find yourself face to face with real life (without any twinkling lights) and the expectations of a new year. Don’t fret, however, as 2025 in Bath is already shaping up – here are 10 forward-looking commentaries from different sectors of the city.
Leadership: Sarah Williment, Organisational Development Consultant, Farleigh Performance
“Within Bath’s vibrant business and third sectors resides a wealth of leadership talent. As our world becomes ever more uncertain, we must double down on investing in our people – as our most important asset, they will be the orchestrators that shape our future.
Last year marked a milestone for us, as the largest cohort of leaders since the programme’s inception in 2016 participated in the Bath Future Talent Programme. This leadership development programme, created by Bath Bridge – a local community interest company – remains a source of immense pride for me as Programme Director. I firmly believe that investing in current and future leaders has never been more critical.
In a world growing increasingly complex, the challenges ahead demand a new kind of leadership. The signs for the year ahead points towards turbulence across all sectors, with organisations potentially facing workforce reductions, restructuring, and adapting to the transformative impact of AI. These changes are a compelling case for us to rethink the future of work. Leaders of tomorrow must adopt a more adaptive, human-centred approach to foster inclusive cultures where every individual can thrive.
Crucially, leaders will need to embrace complexity and uncertainty, understanding that not all problems have definitive solutions. Leadership today requires cultivating comfort with the discomfort of ‘not knowing’ and shifting from rigid, planned outcomes to emergent, responsive strategies.
This year’s Future Talent Programme will aim to equip leaders with broader perspectives, enabling them to navigate complexity, balance diverse viewpoints, and appreciate that leadership is no longer a one-size-fits-all endeavour. Together, we’ll prepare them to lead with agility and humanity.”
bathbridge.co.uk
Property: Melissa Anderson, Founder and Director of Camella Estate Agents
The Bath property market in 2024 truly was a story of two halves. The year started on a high, with buyer demand surging and sales agreed up by 20% between January and March compared to the same period in 2023. However, in March, mortgage rates crept higher, with the average five-year rate hitting 4.84%.
Spring and summer brought mixed results. April and May saw increased buyer activity, driven by the excitement of sporting events and a looming election. Yet challenges persisted, particularly the lengthy time from sales agreed to completion, averaging 154 days (five months). By June, while buyer activity remained up year-on-year, election uncertainty led to fewer new properties entering the market.
Post-election, optimism returned. August saw the Bank of England deliver its first interest rate cut, followed by another in November. The average two-year fixed mortgage dropped from 6.86% in July 2023 to 5.09% by November 2024. This spurred a late-year bounce, as buyers rush to complete purchases before stamp duty changes due in April 2025.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises stability and a strong start, with buyer demand buoyed by the potential for further interest rate cuts. However, factors such as global conflicts, economic uncertainty, and inflation will undoubtedly shape the market.
Bath remains resilient, and with solid fundamentals, and the year ahead looks optimistic for both buyers and sellers.
Melissa Anderson launched Camella in March 2023 on Batheaston High Street and has recently opened a second branch in Bear Flat. camella.co.uk
Food and beverage: Alex Peters, Director, Bath Pizza Co and Green Park Brasserie
Food and drink in Bath continues to go from strength to strength. There are more openings creating healthy competition and a diverse market – all offering customers great choice and value. Encouraging all independent businesses to thrive is crucial as this adds to the retail mix that makes our city a fantastic place to live, work and visit – please support them.
This year will be another significant one for Bath Pizza Co and Green Park Brasserie, which marks 33 years of trade for us. However, business is tougher than ever and while hospitality continues to feel cost pressures, this motivates me to improve what we do and the experience our guests receive. That could be anything from enjoying our award-winning pizza, drinking cocktails in the sunshine on the terrace or soaking up our live music and buzzing atmosphere inside the restaurant.
Last year we merged our two menus and opened our new speakeasy bar and kitchen Upstairs, behind the red curtain. We’re really excited to see where this year takes us as we create more jobs and contribute economic growth.
As an independent business I feel a deep sense of custodianship to our premises and the city which is why we’ll be supporting some fantastic festivals, events and campaigns throughout the year for the city. I hope to announce some of these shortly. In my role as a Board Director at Bath BID I’m working on Bath Restaurant Week (this May), which will celebrate food and drink in the city and will offer some mouthwatering moments… keep your eyes peeled. bathpizzaco.com; greenparkbrasserie.com
Wellbeing: Viv Kenchington, Solution Focused Hypnotherapist
Looking back on 2024 makes me reflect on a year that was filled with growth, lessons, and opportunities in my hypnotherapy practice. The year was both rewarding and challenging, as I’ve worked with many clients to help them reduce anxiety, build confidence, and embrace lasting change. It’s been a privilege to witness their journeys and be a part of their transformation.
One of the highlights of 2024 was completing my Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT) training. This has proven to be an incredibly valuable addition to my practice, providing clients with an effective way to address anxiety, trauma, and limiting beliefs. Additionally, I continued focusing on integrating breathwork into hypnotherapy sessions. After completing a CPD (Continuing Professional Development) course, I’ve seen how powerful breathing techniques can aid relaxation and facilitate deeper emotional release. This experience has inspired me to take the next step in my professional development, training to become a fully qualified Breathwork Coach in January 2025. This new skill will enhance my ability to help clients achieve balance and resilience.
Looking ahead, 2025 brings exciting possibilities but also challenges. Like many, I face anxieties about managing time, balancing work and training, and ensuring I continue providing the best support to my clients. However, I remain committed to stepping into these challenges with the same mindset I encourage in others: having a belief in progress as well as the courage to grow.
Here’s to a year of breathing deeply and stepping boldly into the future!
hypnotherapyandhealth.co.uk
Business to Business Support: Allison Herbert, Chief Executive, Bath BID
December was a challenging month for Bath with storms and practical challenges making it difficult to maintain the welcome that we would normally wish to offer visitors and residents. Nevertheless, here at Bath Business Improvement District (BID), we continue to dedicate ourselves to making the city cleaner, safer and more welcoming with our team of Rangers, Marshals and Welcome Ambassadors – do say hello if you see them out and about.
A highlight of 2024 was an invitation to the RHS Britain in Bloom awards with the inspirational volunteers of Bath in Bloom, where we won overall and in our category. Next year Bath BID will represent the South West in the BID category. Surprisingly the RHS judges aren’t only interested in hanging baskets, looking for a combination of community, environment and horticulture. We start our campaign with Love our City Week from Valentine’s Day onwards. Look out for our team joining in with a super spring clean.
On a more serious note, the national picture for high streets and retail is a changing one. In Bath, alongside the experiences on offer, we are fortunate to have a mix of favourite national chains alongside unique independents. If you have one resolution left for the New Year, make it to cherish our wonderful shops and restaurants in the city centre. There have been lots of new arrivals this year which is a great reason to come and visit your city. bathbid.co.uk
Comedy: Jarred Christmas, Stand-Up Comedian
I’m a stand up comedian and I produce comedy shows and festivals with my events company, Pop-Up Comedy, in the Bath and Frome area, including Rode Comedy Festival which is entering its sixth year.
I’m writing this while backstage at the panto I’m performing in Leicester, wearing a costume that is louder than Brian Blessed with a megaphone. Panto might be all about “he’s behind you!” But the Bath comedy scene is very much “it’s all ahead of you”.
Is there an award for best segue? It would be nice to be nominated. Just like Bath Komedia has been nominated several times for ‘best comedy venue in the south west’. Look out, I’ve segued again.
Bath has superb comedy nights: Bath Forum, Komedia, The Jesters and Rondo Theatre, plus the annual Bath Comedy Festival. This year is bringing some big names. The Forum will have John Bishop, Chris McCausland, Jason Manford, Sara Pascoe, and a four-night run from the magnificent Greg Davies. Komedia will have Milton Jones, Jenny Eclair, Lou Sanders, Myra Dubois, and The Rondo will have Harriet Kemsley and Spencer Jones. Most of these previewed their shows with us at our Pop-Up Comedy events recently, and I can confirm they will not disappoint!
Komedia on a Saturday night brings some of the UK’s finest professional stand-ups to Bath, and a new grass roots comedy club ‘The Jesters’ is offering great value shows showcasing up-and-coming acts. A night out filled with laughs is easily found in Bath.
I’ll end on a quote: ‘Laughter makes the good times gooder and the bad times better but has done nothing for my grammar’. That’s my entry to the best quote competition. Fingers crossed it does better than my segues. popupcomedy.org, @jarredchristmascomedian
Retail: Darrin Christan, Director, Coopers Home Appliances
Last year was a challenging one for retailers in the city. The first part of the year was very slow, with people concerned about the economic conditions and the rise in living costs. It wasn’t until September that buyers started to come back more significantly, and in most cases I believe this was because they were not prepared to put off any longer the improvements and upgrades they wanted for their homes. To a degree, as a retailer of premium kitchen appliances and electrical products, our business was less affected than some, as the premium goods market tends to be more robust.
We also maintain the upbeat philosophy that the business should never stand still, whatever the market conditions, and we have continued to actively develop our products and our services and to be nimble and maximise opportunities. The upturn in sales in the autumn has thankfully continued since and we are feeling positive about 2025.
The new year also brings a significant new collaborative retail project for us because we have joined forces with Ben Argent Kitchens and Boniti Flooring at Dunsdon Barn (Dunsdown Lane, West Littleton), creating a showroom, which launches formally on 2 January, in a single space that will host a trio of luxury lifestyle brands in kitchens, flooring and appliances. This expansion has created three new full-time jobs for us, and the Coopers team will be moving around between both sites, so they can get to know the different people and ways of selling.
Coopers in Walcot Street continues to bring in new and interesting brands and we are now the main agent for Aga, Everhot and La Cornue, also all available in the Dunsdon Barn showroom. We know that next year won’t be plain sailing but we will continue to work hard to identify new opportunities as we have always done. coopershomeappliances.com; dunsdonbarn.com
Legal: Leslie Redwood, Mogers Drewett
Last year, significant legal changes in the UK in 2024 brought a stronger focus on workers’ rights and workplace protections. Flexible working became a right from the first day of employment, carers gained a statutory entitlement to one week of unpaid leave annually, and maternity, adoption and shared parental leave saw extended redundancy protections. The National Living Wage also increased to £11.44 per hour for workers aged 21 and over and employers were mandated to ensure fair distribution of customer tips. A statutory duty to prevent workplace sexual harassment was introduced, with penalties for non-compliance. This will continue into 2025 as more Employment Law tightening is predicted. There were also significant changes in the Renters Rights Bill affecting renters and landlords alike – including the proposed abolition of no fault section 21 evictions – and these are proposed to become law towards the end of 2025.
The seismic changes and the substantial tax increases brought about by the Autumn 2024 budget have left many concerned about how this will impact them and Mogers Drewett will continue to provide advice to both private and corporate customers throughout 2025. The company is also across its four offices increasing both its digital engagement and networking events this year to help people and businesses inform themselves and adapt around the big changes ahead. mogersdrewett.com
Arts and culture: Dr Chris Stephens, Director, The Holburne Museum
I am delighted to report that 2024 was a bumper year for the Holburne with record-breaking audiences and innovative and far-reaching learning and engagement activities at the museum and beyond. The coming year promises to be equally exciting; we have an amazing range, as we pursue our mission to bring great art to Bath, with major figures like J.M.W. Turner, Francis Bacon and Andy Warhol alongside contemporary artists from around the world, from Los Angeles to Oldfield Park. Most importantly, in the summer we will be unveiling a reconfigured lower ground floor with a new gallery of Renaissance treasures of international importance.
Although one of our key values is relevance, sometimes one can’t but feel helpless in the face of the seemingly unrelenting bad news of recent times, with war and unconscionable suffering in so many places combined with the rise of an intolerant far right. But art can offer solace and catharsis as it transcends any one time to explore and reflect upon our existence and our relationship with the natural world. With creativity, it embodies the liberal, humanitarian values of tolerance and understanding and that is why, of all the things we do, I am most proud of our work with local schools, helping to ensure creativity remains a key part of young people’s development – surely a sound investment for the future.
holburne.org
Education: Heidi-Jayne Boyes, Headteacher, Royal High School
Having just joined Royal High School Bath GDST as Head, I’m embracing its defining ethos of girls first with no limitations on what they can achieve. My previous role was as head of a girls’ school in the North of England, and my focus has always been about happily empowering students to be everything they want to be, an approach underpinned with kindness and care. I love being in my school and living this reality. It’s palpable. I want every student to have every opportunity to achieve, preparing them for a future without limits.
Education is changing more rapidly at the moment than at any other time I can remember. It’s not just AI or the changing nature of the future job market we are all doing our best to prepare students for. It’s also a post pandemic hangover of anxiety and a skills gaps that is silently traumatising huge numbers of school-age children, on top of a financial pressure of VAT being applied to school fees. However, this is the time when it’s most important to lean into what we are best at. And in the girls’ school that I lead this is all about warmth, sisterhood and nurturing, combined with academic rigour.
The evidence showcasing the transformative power of single-sex schooling stands out. Girls’ schools have consistently proven to be supportive environments that empower young women, from their earliest years to their launch into adulthood, enabling them to become the architects of their futures. I live and breathe this every day in school. We need to offer our young people an education that is not only rooted in tradition but is also forward-thinking and relevant for the 21st century – that is what 2025 will all be about for me.
Given all the volatility in the world at the moment, the wider community of the network of GDST schools provides reassurance, resilience and creativity. Together, we remain steadfast in our dedication to excellence and to providing outstanding value for families. It is a truly exciting time to be a girl, and Royal High Bath is proud to lead the way in shaping their futures. royalhighbath.gdst.net