Gaol Ferry Steps – a new route connecting south Bristol to the city centre – has been opened to the public, marking an important milestone in the creation of a vibrant new harbourside quarter at Wapping Wharf.
Many people’s commutes to work or trips to the floating harbour will be improved thanks to the new tree-lined pedestrian route providing access from Gaol Ferry Bridge straight down to the waterfront and Museum Square.
Gaol Ferry Steps is an important part of this new neighbourhood, which is coming to life with 112 apartments now occupied. The route is set to be lined with independent retailers, including food and drink outlets such as Small Street Espresso’s second café, Little Victories, due to open in the coming months.
Stuart Hatton, director at Umberslade, the developer behind Wapping Wharf, said: “We are thrilled that Gaol Ferry Steps is now open, providing a pleasant and much more convenient new route to the waterfront for local residents and the wider Bristol community. This area is really going to come to life this year with our new container yard for independent retailers, Cargo, due to be completed in early summer and further announcements about retailers for Gaol Ferry Steps expected soon.
“We are grateful for the public’s patience during construction and we are delighted to now open Gaol Ferry Steps.”
Wapping Wharf is set to become a new ‘foodie’ quarter for Bristol. As well as the retail offering along Gaol Ferry Steps, the neighbourhood will be home to Cargo, Bristol’s first ever retail hub made of converted shipping containers. There are also plans for Cargo 2, a second retail hub, also with an independent food and drink focus, due to popular demand.
Wapping Wharf will deliver over 600 apartments in total, with the first phase featuring 194 apartments, including 26 affordable homes, and plans are well under way for phase 2 of the scheme. The site is the final piece in the jigsaw that will complete the regeneration of the iconic floating harbour.
