Bristol’s Finzels Reach development boosted by bridge approval

A proposed new eating out quarter in Bristol has received a boost after councilors approved the building of a bridge over the city’s Floating Harbour.

The new pedestrian and cycle bridge will link the Finzels Reach scheme and the old Courage Brewery to the Castle Park area of the city.

The scheme will include a 168-bed hotel, 420 new residential apartments, shops, craft bars and restaurants.

Insight Retail Consulting has been retained to put together the retail and leisure mix at the development.

A restaurant and leisure sector specialist, Insight was responsible for the including mixed-use regeneration of Royal William Yard, the former Royal Navy victualling yard in Plymouth.

New arena

Finzels Reach is part of the wider regeneration of the Redcliffe area of Bristol, which from 2017, will include the city’s new £90m arena to host live concerts and sporting events.

Insight surveyor Henry Lang said: “As part of this, the bridge will be the gateway to the new eating out quarter and will be one of the greatest feats of engineering in Bristol in recent times.

“The key to the scheme has always been the bridge, which means the area will be just a couple of minutes from the centre of Bristol and also the fastest route from the centre to Temple Meads station.”

Lang added: “We have been retained to put together a mix of operators who complement both each other and the historic nature of the development.

“As such, we are only talking to high quality multiples and independent operators, who will be filling some of the most architecturally stunning buildings in Bristol.”