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Turbo Island is a well-known patch of land located in the Stokes Croft area of Bristol, not far from the city centre. This area has long been a part of the local community's identity since its formation in 1940. Formerly the site of a shoe shop, the land was left undeveloped after it was destroyed during an air raid in the Second World War. Instead of rebuilding, the council decided not to obstruct the view at the Jamaica Street - Stokes Croft junction, leading to the land being termed a "sloap" – a space left over after planning.

In the 1950s, an advertising hoarding was installed on the land, and the plot was sold to Insite Poster Properties in 1985, following the declaration of Stokes Croft as a conservation area. The company, now owned by Wildstone, did not express interest in the land beneath the billboard.

The nickname "Turbo Island" is likely linked to the Turbo cider brand, which was popular in the 1980s. This name has been embraced by the community and is even recognized on Google Maps.

Over the years, the land has been redecorated with murals and used for various community events and art classes by the local art cooperative, the People’s Republic of Stokes Croft (PRSC), and its associates. PRSC also conducted an archaeological dig on the site and made several unsuccessful attempts to buy Turbo Island.

Turbo Island is valued for its social function and serves as a meeting place for people from diverse socio-economic backgrounds. It is recognized as a well-positioned crossover point within Stokes Croft. In recent times, suggestions for better use of the space include turning it into a vegetable garden, an information point, or a community officer hub, and some locals suggest paving it for bike storage and tea parties. There are also plans for repairing the graffiti wall, repainting a mural, and installing planters and benches.

Despite significant gentrification in the surrounding area of Stokes Croft, Turbo Island has remained relatively undeveloped and independent. Recent changes include the installation of a layer of tarmac and the addition of bike racks by the landowner, Wildstone. This firm, in collaboration with the Bristol City Council’s Neighbourhood Team, the Police, the Fire Brigade, and local businesses and community groups, aims to create a more welcoming space on Turbo Island. The Stokes Croft area hosts a diverse mix of creative people. Turbo Island has an Instagram account, 'turbo_island_in_bloom', that documents the events and attendees on the land. Despite the various changes and developments, Turbo Island has remained a significant part of Bristol's cultural landscape.