A well-known derelict building in Bristol city centre could be saved by a hospitality group after sitting empty since 1987. Seamen's Mission Church on Prince Street looks set to become a new venue that will be "quite different" for the city after decades of its fate hanging in the balance.
London-based Bloomsbury Leisure Group is earmarked to take over the church, which is the owner of Crofters Rights, The Lanes and Llandoger Trow. The former church dates back to 1880, built as a shore base for missionaries, and was badly damaged in 1940 during the height of The Bristol Blitz.
Seamen's Mission Church was previously owned by Tadcaster's Samuel Smith Brewery, owners of the King William Ale House on King Street, which took the church on more than 30 years ago. It had submitted plans for a four-storey development of a pub, restaurant and staff accommodation, but withdrew them in 1997. Question marks were left over the former church as no developments progressed, with the brewery reportedly refusing to sell to pub group giant Greene King.
