It feels like a lifetime ago since we learned the award-winning dining, retail and leisure operator, Boxpark, was branching out of the capital. Wayback in 2021, it announced plans to open a massive new food hall on Bristol’s harbourside. Set to take over the O&M sheds on Welsh Back, Boxpark, which has three sites in London, will launch their sibling concept known as BoxHall.
Originally planned for 2022, BoxHall has hit numerous stumbling blocks and pushed the opening back to 2023. After the landlord’s contractors entered liquidation earlier this year, work on the new food hall was paused. We’ve not heard much since but in a series of cryptic Instagram posts , BoxHall has now revealed it will be opening in 2024.
Described as a food hall, beer hall and music hall, there aren’t any further new details to reveal yet. But it initially said it is “highly committed to local people and produce”. The food hall will be boasting a roster of acclaimed Bristol-born chefs and creating more than 100 local job opportunities when it does finally opens.
BoxHall promises to be “a vibrant and exciting waterside destination, delivering a premium, unique food and beverage offer not experienced elsewhere in the city”. The historic dockside sheds will be transformed to include restaurants and bars, selling food from local and independent eateries, suppliers and street food traders, and will feature regular guest pop-ups.
In addition to the tasty food offerings, BoxHall will host an events programme showcasing the best of Bristol’s music scene throughout the week. Plus, a mixture of other events including local art shows, live screenings and gaming experiences. Providing a little something for everyone.
Bristol’s O&M Sheds are one of the last remaining undeveloped buildings from the city’s historical industrial dockyard and the developers hope the food hall interior to “capture the essence” of its historical value. The venue will also feature a community hub plus terraces with outdoor seating which overlook the Floating Harbour so guests can take in waterside views towards Bristol Bridge.
Boxpark CEO & founder Roger Wade said: “We are thrilled to announce our brand-new premium food hall concept launching in Bristol next year. Bristol has such a proud independent spirit and the Welsh Back makes the perfect location for a beautifully designed modern food hall, which champions local and independent traders and suppliers.
“With BoxHall, we aim to offer an all-day social dining experience with food, drink and community-led events all under one roof, showcasing the best in local talent and artists.” Boxpark offers street food, shopping and entertainment in three different areas of London: Shoreditch, Croydon and Wembley.