News / Restaurants
Restaurant hopes to expand into ‘underused’ council space
A barbecue restaurant overlooking the Floating Harbour has applied for planning permission to move into the first floor of the building they already occupy.
Spitfire currently rent the ground floor of the Bristol City Council-owned building on Hannover Quay.
In a letter of support backing the submitted application, the council have said the Pavilion Meeting Room on the first floor was “infrequently” used as office space and for conferences.
is needed now More than ever
The first floor of the building was originally intended for community use but has become unaffordable for local residents in recent years due to sharply increasing booking costs.
Spitfire restaurant’s first floor is a council-owned meeting space known as the Pavilion – photo: Martin Booth
In their application, Spitfire owners explained that the property has been “underused” and only provides “limited income” to the council.
The proposed upper floor would provide a sizeable increase to the restaurant’s seating, as well as accessible toilets, additional bars and pool tables.
In the same letter, director of management of place for Bristol City Council, Patsy Mellor, said: “Currently, Spitfire Barbecue provides an important food and drink service to this part of the city docks and contributes positively to the environs.
“The council are keen to see this space occupied and put to purposeful use.
“The proposal to integrate the existing ground floor use with the upper floor is seen in a positive light and will no doubt offer benefits to the community and visitors to Bristol, increased local spending, both directly and indirectly, job creation and improved local amenities.”
The application currently awaits planning committee deliberation.
Main photo: Martin Booth
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