Bristol bans fast fashion advertising

September 17, 2026

Bristol has become the first city in the UK to prohibit fast fashion advertising on council-owned spaces, expanding its efforts to limit the promotion of products and industries associated with high carbon emissions.

Under the new advertising and sponsorship policy, Bristol will restrict promotions for fast fashion alongside adverts for SUVs, airlines, cruise companies and fossil fuel businesses. The measures apply across advertising spaces controlled by Bristol City Council, including billboards, bus shelters, printed materials and digital platforms.

Bristol expands restrictions on high-carbon advertising

The policy represents a significant expansion of Bristol’s existing approach to advertising. In 2021, the city became the first local authority outside London to prohibit junk food advertising on council-controlled sites.

The latest rules were approved by Bristol City Council’s Strategy and Resources Committee by eight votes to one.

Heather Mack, deputy leader of Bristol City Council, said the city does not want its advertising infrastructure to promote major sources of pollution while simultaneously investing in better public health, cleaner air and the protection of nature.

According to Mack, the council is taking a broader approach to sustainability by considering how advertising and consumption patterns fit alongside Bristol’s environmental objectives.

Fast fashion added to Bristol's advertising ban

While more than 20 councils across the UK have introduced some form of restriction on advertising products and services linked to high emissions, Bristol is the first to specifically include fast fashion.

The fashion industry faces growing scrutiny over its environmental footprint, particularly the rapid production and disposal model associated with inexpensive, short-lived clothing. Concerns include greenhouse gas emissions, intensive resource consumption, textile waste and pollution throughout global supply chains.

By including fast fashion in its policy, Bristol is extending advertising restrictions beyond fossil fuels and transport to consumer products associated with wider environmental impacts.

SUVs, airlines and cruises also affected

The restrictions cover several high-carbon sectors and services. Advertisements promoting SUVs, air travel, cruise holidays and fossil fuel companies will no longer be permitted across eligible council-owned advertising locations.

The policy forms part of Bristol’s broader climate and sustainability agenda, which includes work on public transport, lower-carbon home heating and community energy projects.

Green Party MP Carla Denyer welcomed the decision, arguing that promoting high-emission products on public advertising spaces could conflict with the city’s environmental commitments.

The policy also reflects strong local concern about climate change. A Bristol City Council survey found that 83% of residents expressed concern about the issue.

More UK councils restrict high-carbon advertising

Bristol is part of a wider movement among UK local authorities seeking to reduce the visibility of advertising linked to carbon-intensive products and industries.

Cities including Cardiff, Edinburgh, Portsmouth and Sheffield have already adopted various restrictions on advertising considered harmful to climate goals.

Campaign group Adfree Cities has supported local efforts to introduce these policies and is calling for similar restrictions to be considered at the national level.

The organisation has also urged London Mayor Sadiq Khan to introduce tighter controls on advertising for fossil fuels and other high-emission products across Transport for London’s extensive advertising network.

Campaigners call for nationwide action

Nicola Wilks, co-founder and co-director of Adfree Cities, welcomed Bristol’s decision and said advertising restrictions can help influence consumer behaviour and support wider public policy objectives.

Campaigners point to historic restrictions on tobacco advertising as an example of how limits on commercial promotion can contribute to changes in consumption patterns.

Adfree Cities is now pushing for broader national rules covering advertising from industries and products associated with significant greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution.

With fast fashion now included in Bristol’s restrictions, the city is testing a broader approach to climate-related advertising policy that other UK councils may watch closely.I can also prepare the SEO title, meta description, and several title options under 50 characters for this article.