Portishead, North Somerset, England, United Kingdom

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Portishead is a coastal town on the Severn Estuary, close to Bristol, but within the unitary district of North Somerset, which falls within the ceremonial county of Somerset, England. It has a growth rate considerably in excess of surrounding towns.

Portishead has a long history as a fishing port. As a Royal Manor it expanded rapidly during the early 19th century around the docks, with supporting transport infrastructure. A power station and chemical works were added in the 20th century, but the dock and industrial facilities have since closed and been redeveloped into a marina and residential areas. Portishead was also the telephone control centre used by British Telecom (BT) for non-direct dialled calls to maritime vessels, a service known as Portishead Radio.

The town's population is expanding, and Portishead is now primarily a dormitory town for Bristol and its environs, although a range of service industries has grown up. The headquarters of both Avon and Somerset Constabulary and Avon Fire and Rescue Service are in Portishead.

Economy Local employers include the Avon and Somerset Constabulary (which has its headquarters on the western edge of the town), Gordano School, and numerous care homes for the elderly, as well as a retail complex. The Victorian High Street has retained a number of local shops, such as Morgan-Westley, The Outlet, Careys DIY and Zebra; despite some larger DIY chains and supermarkets being built—Homebase, Argos, Waitrose, New Look, Peacocks and Pets at Home. In January 2010, Sainsbury's applied for planning permission to build a new store, soon followed by Lidl, Travelodge and Subway. All of these new stores have now been built. More retailers moved into the area in 2015, such as Wetherspoons, Costa Coffee, Aldi (to occupy the former Co-op premises), Majestic Wine and Home Bargains.