Better Food, the Bristol-born independent organic food retailer, has announced it will be opening its third store at the city’s new harbourside community, Wapping Wharf, in July.
Better Food will be taking three units totalling 2,450 sq ft of space on a 15 year-lease along Gaol Ferry Steps, the newly opened route connecting the city centre and south Bristol, running through the Wapping Wharf development. When complete, this new community will include over 600 new homes as well as a variety of independent food and drink retailers.
Phil Haughton, managing director at Better Food, which will create 30 jobs at the Wapping Wharf store, said: “I am delighted that a commitment to independent retail is such an important part of Wapping Wharf’s ethos. This new Bristol quarter is about to get famous; soon it will be home to a vibrant new cluster of independents with the flare, passion and creativity we all bring.
“At Better Food, we are fizzing with excitement. Not only does this signify an important expansion for our business, but it is a fantastic opportunity to be a part of a new food community. For years, we have been asked to open in south Bristol and our new store will be easily accessible by the thousands of walking and cycling commuters from this part of the city who will be passing by our new home every day.”
Stuart Hatton, director at Umberslade, the developer behind Wapping Wharf, said: “We are very excited that Better Food is joining our new community at Wapping Wharf, an addition that chimes perfectly with our vision to create a new quarter with a strong focus on independent food and drink retail. It is great they are opening this substantial new store, which will be conveniently located not just for residents but for the wider city centre and commuters on their way to and from work.
“Better Food combines fresh, organic, local food with convenience and a strong community ethos, while being a champion of independent retail and fair prices across the food chain. This is just the kind of retailer we want to be working with at Wapping Wharf. With other great independent retailers such as Mokoko and Small Street Espresso already on board, and now Better Food confirmed, the announcements are coming thick and fast, with plenty more on the way!”
Better Food, whose ethos is focused on building a better, fairer food community, offers the largest range organic and local food in the UK. As the first certified organic cafe in Bristol, Better Food, which was started over 20 years ago, prides itself in providing the best offer of fresh, organic produce available and a friendly and caring shopping experience. Eighty per cent of its fresh produce range is bought from The Community Farm.
As well as the independent retail offering along Gaol Ferry Steps, Wapping Wharf will be home to Cargo, Bristol’s first ever retail hub made of converted shipping containers. There are also plans for Cargo 2, a second retail hub, also with an independent food and drink focus, due to popular demand. Gaol Ferry Steps is an important part of this new neighbourhood, providing access from Gaol Ferry Bridge straight down to the waterfront and Museum Square.
The first phase of Wapping Wharf includes 194 apartments, 26 of which are affordable homes. Over 100 residents have moved into their homes so far and plans are well under way for phase 2 of the scheme, which is the final piece in the jigsaw that will complete the regeneration of the iconic floating harbour.
