Historic dockside sheds in Bristol are to be transformed into a trendy street food hall and live events venue by the company behind London鈥檚 famous restaurant and shopping concept Boxpark.
The old O&M Sheds on Welsh Back, in the city centre, will be redeveloped into a 20,000 sq ft venue - called BoxHall - that is due to open in June 2022.
The venture is Boxpark鈥檚 first outside the capital and will include restaurants, bars and community space. It will sell food from local and independent eateries, suppliers and street food traders, and will feature regular guest pop-ups.
It will also host an events programme showcasing the best of Bristol鈥檚 music scene throughout the week, as well as a mix of other events including local art shows, live screenings and gaming experiences.
A roster of acclaimed Bristol-born chefs are involved in the venture, which is expected to create more than 100 local job opportunities.
Boxpark is working with property group Cordwell to develop the scheme, and architecture and design studio Macaulay Sinclair on the interior refurbishment.
Roger Wade, Boxpark chief executive, said: "Bristol has such a proud independent spirit and the Welsh Back makes the perfect location for a beautifully-designed modern food hall, which champions local and independent traders and suppliers.
鈥淲ith BoxHall, we aim to offer an all-day social dining experience with food, drink and community-led events all under one roof, showcasing the best in local talent and artists."
Bristol鈥檚 O&M Sheds are one of the last remaining undeveloped buildings from the city鈥檚 historical industrial dockyard.
Boxpark said it was 鈥渆ager鈥 to utilise the space to create a community-led social hub with its debut BoxHall site. According to the developers, the food hall interior will 鈥渃apture the essence鈥 of the O&M Sheds鈥 historical value.
Recently said it was 鈥済reat鈥 to see an established brand looking to Bristol for its next venture.
鈥淸It is] another vote of confidence for the city鈥檚 recovery from Covid-19,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his is further investment into Bristol鈥檚 historic harbourside, just around the corner from the soon-to-be-restored Redcliffe Bascule Bridge.
鈥淔ollowing the sensitive regeneration of the site, Bristolians will be able to enjoy another top class venue that is fit for the future.鈥
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Cordwell development director Tom Wilcox said the company鈥檚 designers had 鈥渨orked hard鈥 to bring forward the 鈥渋maginative yet sensitive鈥 scheme.
He added: 鈥淭his collaboration has allowed us to commence work in March on the refurbishment works which together with the stunning interior fitting-out to follow will deliver by June 2022, one of the most exciting venues to eat, drink and enjoy the delights of this unique City location.鈥
Opportunities for prospective tenants include turn-key kitchen solutions with turnover-only licenses, meaning they can begin trading without the barrier of vast capital outlay.
BoxHall will start tenant marketing in the later part of 2021, it said.
