CARGO food and drink hub to be unwrapped in time for Christmas

Bristol’s independent food and drink hub CARGO officially opens tomorrow with a giant ribbon cutting and Christmas celebration.

The scheme, pictured, at the Wapping Wharf development at Harbourside is the first of its kind in the city to be made from converted shipping containers and complements the nearby food and drink outlets on Gaol Ferry Steps. 

The arrival of the 18 containers making up CARGO 1 has helped the area become a magnet for discerning shoppers and foodies.

Nine retailers have already set up store in the development – Pigsty, the Bristol Cider Shop, Lovett Pies, Shambarber, Corks of Cargo, Wokyko, the Mighty Quinns Flower Emporium, Chicken Shed and BOX-E.

On Saturday these retailers will be extending their wares onto their terraces to bring festive cheer to the area.

The Mighty Quinns Flower Emporium will create a Christmas tree forest with Bristol Cider Shop and Corks at Cargo supplying mulled cider and warming port.

As well as outdoor cooking at Pigsty and a pudding bar at BOX-E, there will be tasty food to eat in or out at Lovett Pies, Wokyko and Chicken Shed, while Shambarber will have the clippers at the ready to spruce up in time for Christmas party season.

The festivities will continue up Gaol Ferry Steps, where the trees will be lit with fairy lights. There will be seasonal pizza toppings at Bertha’s Pizza, mulled wine and mince pies at Better Food, and Christmassy drinks and beer at Little Victories and the Wild Beer Company.  

Wapping Wharf developer Umberslade is already marketing CARGO 2, a similar hub adjacent to the first and including 28 containers, which will open next year.

When complete, the Wapping Wharf development will include more than 600 new homes as well as the food and drink hub. The first phase of 194 homes is now complete, with initial works under way in preparation for phase two, which will include over 320 homes.

Tomorrow’s (Saturday) official opening celebrations take place between noon and 6pm with visitors have the chance to win a prize from every CARGO venue along with an award for the person sporting the most spectacular Christmas jumper or outfit.