It is all steam ahead for Engine Shed 2 after Bristol City Council approved plans to transform the iconic George and Railway pub into a modern day trading station.
The pub has remained unoccupied since the 1980s and the Engine Shed team will work with partners including developer Skanska to ensure the building becomes part of Engine Shed’s inclusive economic growth development.
Since its launch in December 2013, Engine Shed has created more than 700 jobs and delivered more than £8m GVA to the Bristol and Bath economic region through its hosted incubators.
Engine Shed director Nick Sturge said: “I am thrilled that the Planning Committee has seen the opportunity that Engine Shed 2 presents in a second iconic Bristol heritage site.
“Following on from the success of Engine Shed, and our proven custodianship of a listed building, we are now able to build on our inclusive economic growth plan that serves communities in Bristol and Bath. These are indeed exciting times.”
The organisation hosts business incubation (SETsquared – the world’s number one business incubator, Oracle Startup Cloud Accelerator), apprenticeship provision (Boomsatsuma), city development projects (BIO), networks and collaborations (GW4, TechSpark, BusinessWest) and have previously hosted the LEP, WebStart, JustEat, SomoGlobal, GamesBoosters, WECA, Social Enterprise Works, School for Social Entrepreneurs and others – supporting them in their journey.
Engine Shed 2 will accelerate and increase development of long-term, sustainable and inclusive economic growth in Bristol and the surrounding economic area. At the same time, it will bring new projects into the community and generate increased operating surplus to fund its outreach projects.
The new space will also provide much needed extra accommodation for SETsquared Bristol and other sector hubs reusing an established city building without pressing on the need for new build.
Engine Shed is a collaboration between Bristol City Council, the University of Bristol and the West of England Local Enterprise Partnership at the heart of Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone.