Brewing is to return to Bristol’s iconic former Courage Brewery site following an agreement by city-based craft beer firm Left Handed Giant to open in its new leisure quarter.
The next stage of the Finzel’s Reach development on the historic waterfront site, the leisure quarter will include the instantly-recognisable Compressor Building overlooking Castle Park.
The ground floor will be returned to its former use as a fully operational and cutting-edge brewery, where St Phillips-based Left Handed Giant will ferment its selection of beers on site. There will also be a brewery tap, where visitors can sample the freshly brewed beers in a modern, urban-style bar.
Peter Sanchez-Iglesias of Bristol Michelin Star restaurant Casamia will take over the first floor with a new restaurant, details of which will be revealed at a later date. The second mezzanine floor will feature an events space with a capacity of 65 people, available for small weddings, events, and meetings.
The leisure quarter – one of the last parts of Finzel’s Reach to be developed – will also include the ground floor of the historic Fermentation Buildings, the adjacent Well Head building and space along Hawkins Lane.
Bristol-based developer Cubex, which has transformed the once derelict area into a new city centre neighbourhood funded by the Palmer Capital, says it has already having received strong interest from potential occupiers keen to be a part of the new destination.
Cubex director Gavin Bridge said there would be a focus on independent Bristol businesses, giving them a unique opportunity to be based in some of the city’s finest historic spaces in a prime city centre location.
“We are thrilled to have Left Handed Giant officially on board, and we look forward to seeing the rich heritage of the striking Compressor Building brought to life by their exciting plans,” he said.
“It is fantastic to have been able to open up this historic part of the city, bringing to fruition state-of-the-art offices, high quality homes, a hotel and plenty of public space, with around 2,500 people soon to be living or working in the area.
“Our ambition has always been to create a vibrant community here and our weekly street food market shows how this area is already becoming a magnet for people in the area.
“We have already had strong interest in the leisure space that sits at the heart of the neighbourhood, but we are still keen to hear from independent businesses, whether a shop, be that a florist or clothing brand, a restaurant, café or service-led business such as a gym or hairdresser’s who would like to be a part of this buzzing new part of the city.”
Built as mezzanine levels, the first and second floors of Compressor Building will feel connected to the rest of the space with open views from each floor to the brewery and brewpub below.
Left Handed Giant managing director Bruce Gray added: “After walking past this building every day between our brewery sites, it feels brilliant to be putting plans in place for the next phase of our business journey.
“The building offers a beautiful showcase for an independent brewery, right in the heart of Bristol. We want to create a place where people can enjoy great food and drink as well as the stunning location.”
Left Handed Giant’s internal fit-out is scheduled to begin next February with an opening date of June.
The interior designs will retain the historic building’s original features with exposed brick walls, ceiling art and beams on show and there will also be an outdoor seating area. A full-height glass partition will allow visitors to look out onto Castle Bridge and Castle Park across the Floating Harbour.
Finzels Reach is one of the largest mixed-use developments in the South West and once complete will include 440 new apartments, two Grade A office buildings, a 168-bedroom Premier Inn, plus cafes, restaurants and a microbrewery. The 4.7-acre site was the heart of medieval Bristol. It later became a sugar refinery and more recently the site of the Courage Brewery until 1991.
