News / bedminster
Regeneration plans for shopping centre thrown into doubt
The proposed regeneration of a shopping centre in south Bristol has been thrown into doubt after developers suggested it might not be viable to continue with the scheme.
There is planning approval to build 180 high-rise flats and some shops at St Catherine’s Place in Bedminster, which has been called one of the UK’s “saddest” shopping centres by national press.
But in a new statement, developers Firmstone say the planning consent is for a “modest and less economically viable” scheme to the one it submitted in 2020.
In January 2020, a planning committee rejected its original proposal to build 205 homes in five blocks, along with shops, offices and a cinema.
The developers behind the proposed regeneration of St Catherine’s Place have suggested it may not be viable to continue with the scheme – photo: Charlie Watts
Firmstone has planning consent to build 180 flats including a 14-storey block – but say they are “extremely disappointed” that their original proposal, which included a cinema, was rejected – photo: Firmstone
In a statement to BBC Radio Bristol, Firmstone said they were “extremely disappointed” to have had their initial application, which included a cinema, refused.
They said they have now sold part of the site and are currently “considering all options” for the remainder of it, including the vacant retail space.
The statement added: “In the last couple of years, compounded by the pandemic, the retail landscape has changed with a move away from high street shopping.”
The shopping centre off East Street has been steadily declining for more than 20 years – with Farmfoods currently the only shop operating there after Iceland pulled out earlier in the year.
Main photo: Charlie Watts
Read next:
- Controversial St Catherine’s Place development approved
- Celebration as closed Bedminster pubs begin to reopen
- Two more shops in shopping centre to close
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