Wild Beer's Bristol bar has permanently closed after the owners and developers of Wapping Wharf took over the premises. Umberslade said it did its "very best to support the team" during financial difficulties but it "had to draw a line".
The West Country brewery was one of the first independent operators to join the Wapping Wharf neighbourhood in 2016 when the area was first earmarked for redevelopment. The future of the Gaol Ferry Steps taproom was then plunged into doubt after Wild Beer fell into administration in December last year.
Wild Beer is one of several businesses to close at the development over the past few months but Wapping Wharf's owners are currently in the process of negotiating with several businesses to take over the empty Cargo units. They also said they have a number of different operators enquiring to take over the empty bar premises.
Read more: Parts of Wild Beer Co bought out of administration, saving some jobs
Stuart Hatton, managing director of Umberslade, said: “It is with huge regret that we have finally decided to take back the premises which is home to the Wild Beer bar at Wapping Wharf, which has been a valued member of our independent business community for many years and we’re really sorry to see them go. We have done our very best to support the team at Wild Beer as they faced financial difficulties, but in the end, we had to draw a line.
“When the Wild Beer brewery went into administration in December, we were approached by operators enquiring about the space at Wapping Wharf and we are confident of finding a business that can breathe new life and energy into this key location at the bottom of Gaol Ferry Steps. We’re also in the process of negotiating with several businesses keen to take spaces at Cargo that have recently been vacated, so whilst it’s undeniable that our independent business community are facing real challenges, as are businesses up and down the country, we believe that Wapping Wharf has a bright future.”
Wild Beer Co was saved from administration in January by Curious Brewery but the transaction did not include the taproom. On January 29, brewery founders Andrew Cooper and Brett Ellis announced it was reopening its web shop offering a limited range of beers. BristolLive has reached out to Wild Beer for comment.
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