Porto Honoured In New Bristol Quayside

PR Log (Press Release) – Oct 22, 2009 – A quayside at Bristol’s historic harbour was today officially named Porto Quay, to mark the city’s historic links with the Portugese town of Oporto.

Bristol and Oporto were “twinned” in 1984 but links between the two cities go back more than 500 years through the port trade. Porto Quay forms part of the Crest Nicholson Regeneration redevelopment on the former Canon’s Marsh area.

The naming ceremony was carried out by the Portugese Ambassador His Excellency Senor Antonio Santana Carlos along with the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Christopher Davies.

Members of the Bristol Oporto Association attended and toasted Porto Quay, which is opposite the ss Great Britain and includes the newly created harbour inlet which was opened earlier this year.

The ceremony continues a tradition of naming the new quaysides after Bristol twin cities following the establishment of Bordeaux Quay in St Augustine’s Reach and Hanover Quay, alongside the Lloyds TSB headquarters.

Bristol City Council has incorporated the crests of both Oporto and Bristol into the signs that mark the walkway alongside the historic harbour.

Alderman Marmaduke Alderson, chairman of the Bristol Oporto Association said: “Oporto, like Bristol is an Atlantic port. It is a similar size to Bristol and shares many of its characteristics. The City Council has used the Portugese name of Porto Quay, rather than the British version of Oporto and it is a great honour for the city to welcome the Ambassador for this ceremony.

“Oporto is famous as a hard working city and the original links between the two cities came from trade, including the import of port through Bristol, which introduced such fortified wines into the UK. Today our links reflect more the culture of the two cities.”

Debbie Aplin of Crest Nicholson Regeneration said: “We are proud to host the naming of this piece of the quayside after Bristol’s twin city in Portugal. Bristol City Council agreed as long ago as 1997 that this area would be named Porto Quay and today, with many of the buildings here nearing completion, we are able to officially open up another section of the quayside to the public.

“We hope to reflect the links with Portugal further in other aspects of the development as it continues.”

The naming was marked with traditional toasts to the success of the two cities with port and a reception at which guests were entertained by traditional Portugese Fado singing.