The history of Portishead dates back to Roman times. The town's name is derived from the Roman word for 'port at the head of the river'. The town centre is a particularly friendly place to visit with wide pavements and colourful arrangements of flowers throughout the main thoroughfare during the summer.
The dominant architecture is early Victorian with many buildings maintaining their original features. For over 50 years a major coal-fed power station operated alongside the dock. Ships carrying coal were commonplace in Portishead Docks. Industrial activities ceased in the dock with the closure of the Power Station in 1980. The dock has however been well preserved and is 
now the centre of a new and exciting marina development attracting interest from all over the country. The new marina provides over 400 floating berths and approximately 100 dry berths for a range of sailing and leisure craft.
The current population of Portishead is approximately 18,000. Due to the new house-building programme in the area a further 8,000 people are expected to settle in the area over the next few years making Portishead one of the largest towns in North Somerset. There are also ongoing business opportunities, with recent employment site developments such as Gordano Gate, Portisfields and Portishead Office Park.
Portishead is situated just off junction 19 of the M5, offering links to the Midlands, London and the South. It is also a very short distance from Royal Portbury Dock. The dock's mouth sits on the edge of the deep water-shipping channel on the Bristol Channel where large ocean going super-tankers and coasters as well as a host of pleasure craft can be seen regularly sailing the waters.
Royal Portbury Docks and Portishead Marina have seen a combined investment of approximately £750 million over the past few years, demonstrating the commercial confidence surrounding the town of Portishead.
| Portishead Chamber |
| of Commerce |
| 1 Harbourmead |
| Portishead |
| North Somerset |
| Contact: Greg Corrigan |
| Telephone: 01275 841 280 |
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Represent member businesses, large and small |
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Encourage interaction and co-operation to the benefit of the local community |
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Support businesses through advice, networking and regular meetings |
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Form partnerships and work with other like organisations |
