Plans submitted for regeneration of Bristol's Wapping Wharf

Revised proposals for the final phases of the regeneration of Bristol's Wapping Wharf have been submitted to Bristol City Council.

If approved, the plans for Wapping Wharf North will secure the future of the CARGO independent businesses and create a go-to leisure destination on the city docks. They will also provide sustainable new homes, shops, restaurants, takeaways and workspaces, together with generous landscaped public spaces, and more natural habitats for wildlife to improve biodiversity.

The proposals, by developers and owners of Umberslade, have been significantly revised following two years of consultation with Wapping Wharf traders, residents, stakeholders, advisory bodies and the wider public. Feedback identified the need to retain the special character of CARGO, discussion about the height of some of the buildings and questions about how the landscaping would be delivered and maintained, all of which have been carefully considered and addressed by the design team.

The development will create a permanent and improved new home for the businesses in CARGO with small independent businesses selling groceries and produce in a continental-style covered market called CARGO Hall, surrounded by takeaways and casual dining businesses with outdoor seating. Upper floors will have dine-in restaurants with cascading green outdoor terraces offering views across the harbour.

Practically all existing CARGO independent businesses have been closely involved with the development of the latest plans, and the design team have created space in the new building to meet the individual needs of each trader.

Chef and restaurateur Josh Eggleton, owner of Wapping Wharf-based restaurants Root and Salt & Malt, comments: “The shipping containers made it really easy to start a new business but it’s what’s inside them that’s important. With the revised plans, the look and feel of the shipping containers will be instilled into the new building. The new development will allow us to grow, to invest in our businesses and our staff. I know how important it is to Stuart and Esme that all the businesses in CARGO can come with them on this journey and that’s evident in how committed they are to getting this right for us.”

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