News / Real estate
Enterprise Zone expansion planned
Bristol’s enterprise zone is set to be expanded and the derelict George & Railway Hotel site redeveloped as a business incubator.
The Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone covers some 70 hectares of land around Temple Meads station.
Business rates paid by companies within its boundary are retained by the Local Enterprise Partnership and can be spent on infrastructure projects to support further growth.
Among the new proposals to be discussed by the city’s cabinet members next month are an extension of the project beyond 2032 and its expansion to include parts of Redcliffe.
This will allow additional funds to be used to further develop the zone which could in turn contribute to the redevelopment of Temple Meads station.
The George & Railway site sits within the current Enterprise Zone area and has been derelict for more than 25 years.
The proposal is for the city council to sell the site to Skanska UK who will develop it to house the second phase of the Engine Shed project.
First opening in the Passenger Shed in 2013, the Engine Shed aims to drive inward investment, create jobs and encourage a new generation of high growth businesses.
Bristol24/7 revealed in June that the neighbouring former Grosvenor Hotel could become a shop, restaurant, cafe or bar.
Cabinet member for place, Helen Holland, said: “Ensuring that the Enterprise Zone remains a major asset for securing future investment and employment opportunities in Bristol is a big priority for our cabinet.
“We want to see the whole of the Temple Quarter becoming not just a key business location, but part of the new fabric of the city, open to all, providing places to work, live and spend leisure time.”
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