News / Bristol Temple Meads
Shipping container offices to leave land next to Temple Meads
Businesses located in shipping containers next to Temple Meads have been forced to vacate their premises due to the planned redevelopment works at the station.
After being based on a site to the west of Brunel’s Passenger Shed since 2016, the shipping containers which formed part of Boxworks will soon be removed to an as-yet undisclosed new location.
Their departure is “gut-wrenching” for the businesses needing to find new homes, according to one of the former tenants.
Boxworks is owned by Forward, who also rent offices in Hamilton House on Stokes Croft and Framework on King Street.
The 20 shipping containers designed for small teams in the technology, media and creative industries are described as “a unique workspace in the heart of Bristol’s Temple Quarter… re-imagined into design-led, affordable private studio offices with attitude”.
Office space of 28sq m for up to eight people was available for £1000 per month, with the shipping containers setting a trend having arrived next to Temple Meads prior to Cargo in Wapping Wharf.
Boxworks contained 20 individual spaces suitable for up to eight people – photo: Martin Booth
Strategic communications consultants Dictinctive were one of the businesses based in Boxworks until the start of December.
Distinctive director, Ben Lowndes, said: “I find that feeling when the place you’ve lived or worked in stands empty gut-wrenching. All that’s left in place of memories is a shell.
“I feel particularly sad about moving from our base beside the Engine Shed in Bristol because it was our first office after coming out of lockdown. And we’ve not chosen to do it.
“Sadly, we were informed five weeks ago that the 20 containers that have formed a base for successful, ambitious businesses since 2016 are to move off the site.
“There was no information about where they may move to, although we now know it won’t be Bristol city centre.”
Lowndes added: “It feels ironic that – after years of advising regeneration teams to handle situations like this with care, and championing Temple Quarter’s transformation – we bear the brunt of some poor communication as the change I’ve publicly supported happens without a conversation with those directly affected.
“It stiffens my view that empathy costs nothing, and good comms matters. It can make a bad situation easier for those at the sharp end. It supports delivery in a way that explaining ‘meanwhile use’ doesn’t.”
Boxworks tenants could also make use of the facilities at Engine Shed in the neighbouring Passenger Shed – photo: Martin Booth
Boxworks CEO, Gavin Eddy, said: “Boxworks’ home at Temple Gate was always part of an ongoing ‘meanwhile use’ pending the redevelopment of Temple Meads station.
“Works have commenced on the station itself and the next phase of work is due to start in 2024 which means that Boxworks’ time in its current location will come to an end this month.
“We made clients aware six months ago that it was coming to an end in its current location.
“We were exploring opportunities with the council and other agencies close to its current location but sadly without success.
“We are delighted to say that we have now secured a new location for Boxworks in Bristol and will be able to share more details on that in the new year.
“Boxworks has been a huge success and has contributed significantly to the start-up and grow-on business landscape in Bristol.
“We are incredibly grateful for the businesses that have been with us since we opened in 2016 and wish them every success in the future.”
The shipping containers at Boxworks are moving due to the imminent redevelopment of Temple Meads, which will see a new entrance created on the side in which it is currently located – photo: Martin Booth
Main photo: Martin Booth
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