Biblos, known for its fast-food fusion of Middle Eastern and Caribbean cuisine, will become the latest independent food retailer to launch at Bristol’s Wapping Wharf when it opens its doors this winter.
Since owners William Clarke and Ariel Czackers set up their first Biblos in Stokes Croft in 2010, they have gone on to open outlets in St Werburghs and Gloucester Road, while also building a presence at local festivals. The new restaurant, totalling 915 sq ft, will create 10 new jobs and will overlook the harbour from its home at 6 Gaol Ferry Steps – the newly opened route that runs through Wapping Wharf, connecting south Bristol with the city centre.
William Clarke said: “Our new eatery will serve fresh homemade wraps for which Biblos is renowned, as well as our new Kitchen Calypso menu which is exclusive to Wapping Wharf. There will be a bigger emphasis on Caribbean inspired dishes such as jerk chicken, prawn gumbo, oxtail stew and my favourite roasted jerk belly pork; all this will be accompanied with coconut rice ‘n’ peas, slaw and plantain.”
He added: “We’re very much looking forward to working alongside the fantastic line-up of independents which are either open already or coming soon to Wapping Wharf, which is becoming an exciting, new destination for food lovers. While we’re very well known in the east of the city, it’s exciting to have this opportunity to branch out into a completely different part of town. Plus, it’s also the first time we’ve ever taken on brand new premises, so we’re enjoying the chance to set everything up from scratch just how we want it.”
Stuart Hatton, director at Umberslade, the developer behind Wapping Wharf, said: “Located in an ideal spot to relax by the harbourside, Biblos will make a great addition to Wapping Wharf’s growing community. With an eclectic mix of food and drink venues, ranging from pop-ups to cuisine from some of Britain’s top chefs coming very soon, it is fantastic to see our vision for this new community with a ‘foodie’ focus becoming a reality.”
When complete, the Wapping Wharf community will include over 600 new homes as well as a range of independent food and drink retailers. Mokoko, Better Food, Pizzarova, Bertha’s Pizza, Little Victories and Wild Beer Co are already open along Gaol Ferry Steps, while CARGO – Bristol’s first ever retail yard made of converted shipping containers – will be opening very soon.
CARGO 1 – the first phase – will be home to concepts such as Woky Ko, an Asian restaurant and takeaway headed up by MasterChef finalist Larkin Cen of Cen at Celtic Manor, as well as BOX-E, modern British seasonal cooking by award-winning chef Elliott Lidstone, and the first PIGSTY restaurant brought to you by the three brothers behind The Jolly Hog and Will Collier, current Harlequins player, as well as many more.
The first phase of the Wapping Wharf neighbourhood is now complete, comprising 194 homes, with initial works under way in preparation for phase two, which will include over 320 new homes.
JLL is the agent acting on behalf of Umberslade for retail lettings at Wapping Wharf.
