Work has started on an exciting ‘foodie’ destination in the heart of the Gloucester.
The £3.5m development at Gloucester Food Dock will be home for up to 15 independent food and drink businesses drawn from Gloucester and the surrounding areas. The waterfront development, overlooking Victoria Basin at the bottom of Southgate Street, extends and refurbishes two 19th century brick buildings, incorporating external dining terraces and stand-alone wooden-clad units to create a range of premises of different sizes. The aim is to create a vibrant community of food businesses with a range of cuisine and price points.
Developers and co-founders of Gloucester Food Dock, Sarah Mansfield and Ken Elliot of Ladybellegate Estates, described the project as a new neighbourhood for the city where a community of creative, passionate and skilled food and drink businesses will have the opportunity to showcase what they do best. The net result will be a new and exciting ‘foodie’ destination in the heart of the city with a dynamic mix of tasty, independently produced food with something for everyone, regardless of whether they’re after a coffee break, brunch, lunch or dinner, seven days a week.
Sarah said, ‘We came to Gloucester and saw the view from here and just loved it. We looked at the regeneration happening in the city: it’s going in the right direction so it’s really exciting to be part of it. The Food Dock turns itself to both sides of the city and we’re hoping to appeal to all the markets around here and help the connectivity between the docks and the city centre.’
‘We wanted to breathe life back into these wonderful old buildings while reinvigoration the area to enable local people to enjoy the rare juxtaposition of quayside of a quayside venue in a city centre location.’ said Ken. ‘It’s very important to us that these businesses are regionally based, supporting our vision for something that truly has its roots in the city, with its exciting and varied ethnic mix and is at the heart of one of the best food producing regions in the country.
The varied size and specifications of the 15 unit are expected to attract a range of operators from start-ups to more established local businesses looking for additional trading opportunities; occupiers will be selected for their quality of offer, creatively, visual appeal and interest. Ladybellegate will also be offering flexible occupational terms with rents based on turnover – a real benefit to start-up or smaller businesses.
Gloucester Food Dock is due to open next summer 2022 and is expected to create up to 120 new jobs. food and drink businesses interested in learning more should email Ken at:
