Plans to transform historic dockside sheds in Bristol into a street food hall and live events venue have moved a step closer after the company behind the project was granted a license.
The company behind London’s famous restaurant and shopping concept Boxpark is set to redevelop the old O&M Sheds on Welsh Back, in the city centre, into a 20,000 sq ft venue called BoxHall.
Bristol City Council has granted Boxpark a premises license for BoxHall after a public consultation with the local community over the plans.
The new venue is anticipated to generate more than 100 local job opportunities and house up to 10 food businesses when it is due to open in June 2022.
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The venture is Boxpark’s 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’s 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, with Boxpark saying it would ensure the venue showcases independent local food and drink companies during the tenant selection process, which will take place later this year.
The company said BoxHall would offer kitchens facilities with turnover-only licenses, enabling both start-up and established food businesses to begin trading with “minimum capital outlay”.
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During a visit to the site of the development Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees, commented: “Bristol’s O&M Sheds are one of the last remaining undeveloped buildings from the city’s historic industrial dockyard.
“BoxHall looks set to be an exciting, regenerated space that will create new jobs as we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. This can be a real boost for Bristol’s economy that showcases our thriving food and drink offer and helps to make the harbourside fit for the future.”
Boxpark chief executive and founder Roger Wade added: “This is both our first venture outside of London and the first time debuting the BoxHall concept.
“We’re highly committed to the local community and want to create a rich variety of Bristol’s best food, beer and music within a stunning interior that’s sensitive to the historical value of the site.”
Boxpark is working with property group Cordwell to develop the scheme, and architecture and design studio Macaulay Sinclair on the interior refurbishment.
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