Bristol's upcoming new food and music hall has begun its search to host the city's food and drink vendors. BOXHALL has opened its applications that will open the impressive venue next year.
The Welsh Back venue has seen some setbacks due to the pandemic and has been delayed until summer 2023 - but the team is determined to start its search. The concept stems from the successful London food hall, BOXPARK, and its first venue outside of London will hope to represent Bristol's diverse food and drink scene.
Renowned restauranteur Josh Eggleton (The Pony Bistro, The Kensington Arms) has now joined as an ambassador to BOXHALL and will oversee the search for Bristol's best independent businesses. He will consult on BOXHALL’s incoming street food and specialist beverage operators, forming local partnerships to help create an exciting programme of events.
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Ben Mclaughlin, BOXHALL COO said: “We’re thrilled to announce that our search for traders is now officially open. We have invested heavily in our kitchens and technology to give food operators a fantastic opportunity to grow their business and ensure they can deliver a seamless guest experience. Food will be at the heart of BOXHALL; and with space for just seven kitchens, the trader roster needs to reflect the diverse and high-quality offering from Bristol and beyond.
“Bristol has a phenomenal reputation as a culinary city and we’re incredibly excited to be working alongside Josh in our search. His reputation in the region is unparalleled and his knowledge and experience of the regional landscape will be invaluable.”
There are just seven kitchen spots available and the venue is hoping for candidates with at least two years of experience trading and operating in a customer-facing environment. Each trader will be provided with a fully fitted plug-and-play commercial kitchen worth around £100,000 to allow businesses to start trading without the concerns of significant financial outlay, which can often be a barrier to accessing the restaurant industry.
The modern food hall structure is set to offer high-quality product ranges and carefully curated, authentic cuisine from local, independent street food traders and restaurant operators in Bristol. It is set to create over 100 job opportunities for the local community.
Mr Eggleton added: “Over the next few months, we’ll be taking registrations of interest and from there we’ll be looking to create a food offering that’s representative of Bristol’s incredible food culture. The search is going to be a wide and diverse one, it’s intended to be open to all kinds of operators and the way the tenancy works, with the reduced capital outlay on the operator, there’s a real chance to make something different and special.”
Marvin Rees, Mayor of Bristol, said: “The development of BOXHALL on Welsh Back is another vote of confidence in our city centre and in Bristol’s recovery from the pandemic. Their first venture outside London will create another 100 new jobs for Bristol, and regenerate derelict sheds along our docks.
“I’m excited to see the new BOXHALL – and meet some of the traders the team selects alongside Josh to help make it another special stop in Bristol’s food scene.”
The 20,000 sq.ft venture will feature two external terraces overlooking the historic floating harbour taking in waterside views towards Bristol Bridge, as well as Welsh Back itself. BOXHALL will host a complementary events programme to platform rising stars of the Bristol music scene as well as other cultural events.
It will be located in a historical harbourside location at Welsh Back’s O&M’s sheds, promising beautiful interior design delivered by Macaulay Sinclair, designers for Hawksmoor and Dishoom. Regional food businesses seeking to get involved with BOXHALL can register their interest via: www.boxhall.co.uk.
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