Western Daily Press (Saturday)
New rum distillery will feel right at home in city
IN the mid-17th century the docks in Bristol were overspilling with barrels of rum shipped in from the far-away British colonies in the Caribbean.
Cheaply distilled on islands such as Jamaica with sugar cane harvested by slaves, the spirit, along with tobacco, molasses and cocoa, poured money into the port city, funding the creation of prestigious buildings which can still be seen today.
And now, four centuries later, a rum distillery looks set to open in the city centre.
Liverpool-based Halewood Wine and Spirits has unveiled plans for the Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery at the former Jamie’s restaurant in Park Street, which closed almost a year ago. Two floors of the distillery will provide for up to 220 restaurant and bar customers, while on the top floor people will be able to take part in rum distillation courses, learning the art of making and blending their own rum.
The venue will also serve as an educational facility providing training to industry staff.
James Stocker, marketing manager of Halewood Wine and Spirits, said: “Given the history of Bristol, we saw an opportunity to open a venue with a rum distillery in the city.
“We were very keen to have two floors so as well as providing food and drink we can also run bar training schools. There are also plans to have rum schools which will be open to the public.”
He added: “We believe most of our customers will be people in their mid-20s up to mid-30s. There will be no dance floor, but the venue will also serve as a late-night bar.”
The venue would feature copper stills housed in glass cabinets where the rum will be distilled on site.
Its opening hours would be from 6am to 12.30am, Monday to Saturday, and 11pm on Sunday.
A consultation has already been held with local ward councillors and business groups.
According to a document submitted to Bristol City Council as part of a planning application, the company’s agents said the idea had been welcomed.
It said: “Stakeholders were especially positive about the potential for the Bristol and Bath Rum Distillery to provide a connection with Bristol’s maritime history.”
Bristol City Council will make a decision on the planning application for the change of use of the building to a rum distillery and training centre in the coming weeks.