A cider shop and a wine merchant will be among the first retailers at Bristol’s independent food and drink hub CARGO to open their doors this weekend as the area continues to become a magnet for discerning shoppers.
The scheme at Wapping Wharf on the Harbourside is the first in the city to be made from converted shipping containers. It complements the nearby food and drink outlets on Gaol Ferry Steps. 
The first to open are the Bristol Cider Shop, which has relocated from Christmas Steps, wine retailer Corks of Cotham and The Mighty Quinns Flower Emporium.
Cider Shop owner Pete Snowman, pictured, left, with shop manager Sebastian Langkamer, said: “We can’t wait to open the new shop. Wapping Wharf is already buzzing and when all of the CARGO occupiers are open it’s going to be amazing.
“It’s been a long time coming but we’ve already started taking bookings for Christmas so I think we’re going to be pretty busy.”
The shop continues to showcase a wide range of award-winning local cider and perry, but will also have a new focus on cider and food.
It will also include Bristol’s first cider café, which will serve traditional cider-related food during the day and will host cider tastings in the evening.
As with the cider, all the food will be locally sourced from independent producers, including the Bristol Cheesemonger to find the perfect cider and cheese matches and they are in discussion with new CARGO neighbours Lovett Pies about a new pork-and-cider pie.
The new shop features a purpose-built tasting room and cider tastings will form a large part of the new offering. There will be tastings every Friday night, along with a calendar of cider and food matching evenings, cider dinners and ‘meet-the-producer’ sessions, as well as private tastings and events.
Stuart Hatton, director at CARGO developer Umberslade, said: “There is a real buzz about the place as the retailers make the finishing touches to their fit-outs and their opening fast approaches.
“We can’t wait for CARGO 1 – a first for Bristol – to come to life and, along with our other fantastic retailers at Wapping Wharf, begin playing its own part in supporting the city’s thriving independent retail scene.
“It really is a hugely exciting time to be involved in the vibrant foodie culture for which Bristol is so well known.”
Among the independent retailers at CARGO 1 will be:
- Woky Ko – A 30-seater Asian restaurant and takeaway headed up by MasterChef finalist Larkin Cen of Cen at Celtic Manor.
- Chicken Shed – a finger-lickin’ dine-in, dine-out chicken shop, opening in September, created by the team behind food festival Eat Drink Bristol Fashion, co-founded by Michelin-starred Bristol chef Josh Eggleton of The Pony & Trap, Amelia Twine, Nick Roberts and organic farmer Luke Hasell.
- BOX-E – Modern British seasonal cooking by award-winning chef Elliott Lidstone featuring a four-seat kitchen table for those who want to experience the buzz of the kitchen in full.
- PIGSTY – The first PIGSTY restaurant from the three brothers behind The Jolly Hog and Harlequins rugby player Will Collier.
- Lovett Pies – artisan gourmet pies from the West Country from Lovett Pies’ first shop in Bristol.
- Bristol Cider Shop – Established cider shop complete with cider tastings.
- Corks of Cotham – Local wine, spirits and beer merchant opening its third site.
- The Mighty Quinns Flower Emporium – Independent florist, stylist and event specialist. Opening its first retail unit.
- Shambarber – Famed Stoke Croft barbershop will be opening its second venue, offering styling for all.
Retailers already open at Wapping Wharf include Mokoko, Bertha’s Pizza, Little Victories, Better Food and Wild Beer Co, with Pizzarova trading from its pop-up crate.
Following CARGO 1 – which includes 18 converted shipping containers – will be CARGO 2, a similar hub next the first and approximately twice the size.
Many of the units, which are set across two levels, have glass frontages, views out onto the waterfront and outside terraces. CARGO 2 is expected to open later this year.
The retail property agent for the Wapping Wharf development, including CARGO, is JLL.
When complete, Wapping Wharf will include more than 600 new homes as well as a variety of independent food and drink retailers. 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.
