It is one of the most exciting developments pending in city, and SoGlos can confirm work has re-started to prepare the site for what has become known as Gloucester Food Dock.
Plans to transform the waterside buildings alongside the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum into a new foodie destination were met with enthusiasm when they were first revealed.
Planning permission was granted back in 2016 to transform numbers 23-25 and 27-29 Commercial Road into five restaurants, then altered again into the current scheme – 12 smaller, independent food court-style units with communal seating areas.
Hoardings were up around the two Victorian red-bricked buildings and at the end of 2020 it looked like work would go ahead in earnest – but, then the pandemic arrived and everything stopped – until now.
‘There is a bit more activity on site now. Kilbury Construction Limited has commenced the next phase of enabling works on the existing buildings to expose the roof timbers and allow more detailed inspections and refurbishment.
‘This is to put the existing buildings in a good state of repair in preparation for construction works on Gloucester Food Dock,’ said a source at L&R Group, which is in charge of the project.
Good to see scaffolding up around the building next to @SoldiersofGlos at @GloucesterDocks. Looks like the long-planned #Gloucester Food Dock is about to take shape. It will be a welcome post-pandemic boost for the city. pic.twitter.com/MagZjZXq93
— Paul James (@pauljames_glos) March 7, 2021
Designs for the site have been drawn up by Devon-based Gillespie Yunnie Architects. Kilbury Construction Limited is based at Waterwells Business Park.
When building work is complete it is understood the development could create as many as 75 jobs.
In early 2019, property advisers JLL, which was working with L&R Group, said several businesses were already in advanced discussions about taking space in the new food destination.
Sarah Mansfield, L&R operations director, described the vision as ‘an exciting new waterfront food hub specialising in tasty, independently produced food’.
L&R Group itself has described the possible menu as ‘Asian street food, charcoal grilled meats, coffee roasters, bakeries, craft beer and fish and chips’ – all in one location.
By Andrew Merrell
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