Canada Life Asset Management is bringing forward proposals to remodel the south east corner of Building 11, facing Canons Way and Explore Lane, to create a new rooftop food and drink venue.
Site location plan.
Building 11 shown in grey, with the application area shown in blue.
Building 11 (shown in grey) is occupied by a number of existing leisure uses, including Rainbow Casino, Lane 7, Locked in a Room, BrewDog and the forthcoming Par59.
The casino currently functions over two floors but post pandemic would like to
downsize the operation while remaining in its existing location.
This presents an opportunity for the building owner, Canada Life Asset
Management, to make best use of part of the upper floor of the building for
other future leisure uses.
The plans involve inserting a mezzanine floor giving access to a new rooftop food and drink venue providing views of the Harbourside, across Millennium Square and the Lloyds Building. The existing outdoor area on top of the building would also be redesigned to create an accessible roof terrace and garden.
Summary of the proposals
The proposed bar will include a roof top terrace to enable outdoor dining and drinking. It will enable users to enjoy views across Millennium Square towards the Floating Harbour.
The main entrance will feature prominently on the south east corner of the building, replacing the existing casino entrance, which is relocated further along Explore Lane. Customers will arrive at a lobby area before getting the lift to the new rooftop bar and dining area.
The location maximises some of the best views possible from the existing building, which is currently underutilised, adding a new unique element to the site.
Inside, the new bar will be split across the existing south east portion of the third floor, and a new mezzanine above, which will link directly to the outside pergola dining/drinks space.
The proposal intends to capture the great views of Bristol available from the top of the building, whilst respecting those living and working nearby by providing an acoustic/visual screen.
Overall, the new proposal aims to maximise the space on offer from the downsizing of Rainbow Casino and create a new use from the current void area above the third floor.
For more information on the proposals including key design elements, view or download the consultation materials here: Harbour View consultation material
Public consultation ran from 9 – 31 December 2022.
Following this, we have considered the feedback and made some changes to the proposals. A planning submission has recently been submitted to Bristol City Council. Once the application has been registered the planning reference number will be added here and there will be a further opportunity to comment on the proposals.
Proposed timeline
Feb 2023 Planning application submitted to Bristol City Council
Jun 2023 Expected determination by Bristol City Council
Oct 2023 Remodelling works start
Jun 2024 New rooftop food and drink venue opens
What happens next
A planning application has now been submitted to Bristol City Council. Once the application has been registered, the Council will undertake further statutory consultation. This will provide a further opportunity to comment on the proposals before a planning decision is made. The planning application reference number will be added to this website when it has been registered.
If you have any queries please contact Avril Baker Consultancy at info@abc-pr.co.uk or telephone 0117 977 2002.