A new café, bar and restaurant with its own on-site rum distillery could be coming to one of Bristol’s most prominent locations.
Drinks operator Halewood has revealed plans for the Bristol & Bath Rum Distillery which would be located at the former Jamie’s Italian site at the top of Park Street.
The firm has submitted a planning application to Bristol City Council which has been recommended for approval.
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But the final say is with the authority’s planning committee, which will decide whether to approve the plans next week.
Jamie’s Italian closed in March last year and the site has remained vacant since then.
The operators say they want to “create an experience beyond the usual café and bar leisure offer”.
The premises would include enclosed copper spirit stills, one of which would be visible to passers-by on Park Street.
Distilling would take place on the property from 9am every day.
The restaurant, cafe and bar would be located on the ground and mezzanine floor and the first floor would be available for private dining and industry training.
There would also be a chance for customers to sign up for one, two or three hour rum distillation courses.
They would learn the art of blending their own rum and would even be able to design their own bottle label.
A statement in the planning documents said: “The venue will be open for much of the day and evening and will be inviting and welcoming to all.
“Morning visitors can enjoy a coffee and breakfast pastry, tired shoppers, families or workers can drop in for a light lunch, while evening visitors can relax with a drink and a bite to eat.
“Working copper stills will be housed in large, glass and wood cabinets at the site. Quietly distilling the rum, they form an attractive and intriguing feature.”
