Plans for top-level restaurants and a European-style food hall and market tapping into Bristol’s burgeoning food and drink sector have been revealed for Redcliff Quarter.
Michelin-starred chef Josh Eggleton, who runs The Pony & Trap at Chew Magna, and restaurateur and chef Mark Hix – former head chef at top London eateries Le Caprice and The Ivy – are in discussion with Redcliff Quarter developer Change Real Estate to explore opportunities in bringing their own exciting food offers to the up-and-coming area of the city. 
Kent-based Change Real Estate plans to transform the area, much of which has been derelict for around 25 years despite its city centre location.
Its vision for the area bounded by St Thomas Street, Redcliff Street and Three Queens Lane – currently occupied by under-utilised and decaying post-war industrial units – includes and inspiring food quarter to complement Bristol’s already blossoming reputation for food and drink.
Josh Eggleton, who is also co-founder of the Eat Drink Bristol Fashion food and drink festival, wants his food hall and market to form the central hub of Redcliff Quarter with a host of local and regional food and drink producers who will operate top quality market stalls and offer informal street food served at large, central tables.
Josh said: “This venture is inspired by travels around Europe. We want to create a 16-hour a day operation from breakfast to dinner, where you can eat in the market or shop to cook at home. 
“It will have the very best South West producers selling great quality ingredients and informal dining with chefs in open kitchens.”
Mark Hix, who now heads a 10-strong chain of restaurants, added: “Bristol has a fantastic food scene and developments such as Redcliff Quarter present exciting opportunities to restaurateurs like myself who are looking to take their brand to new audiences.”
Change Real Estate director Ron Persaud described Redcliff Quarter as a vibrant urban neighbourhood.
“We’re therefore thrilled that both Mark and Josh are excited about the opportunities that the scheme holds.”
The Rezidor Hotel Group has already confirmed its commitment to the £180m Redcliff Quarter development and will bring its new urban lifestyle hotel, Radisson Red, to the scheme with a 185-bed hotel that is estimated to attract around 70,000 guests a year and contribute £5m to the local economy annually.
The 600,000 sq ft development at Redcliff Quarter, which is being brought forward as a joint venture between Change Real Estate, Bristol-based Cannon Family Office and London-based funder ICG Longbow, will revive an underutilised area of Bristol with its own unique identity that embraces the character and heritage of the neighbourhood.
The planning application was submitted to Bristol City Council in May. If consent is granted, construction work on the 2.5 acre site is expected to start by mid 2017 following archaeological work. Planning consultants are Bilfinger GVA and the architects are Lyons Sleeman Hoare.
