Elizabeth Shaw site 'will create 660 jobs' in Bristol

Plans to convert the former Elizabeth Shaw chocolate factory in Bristol are about to be determined, with developers saying the project would create 660 short and long-term jobs.

Developer Squarepeg is in the final stage of negotiating the building contract with a local company, just days before city planners meet to decide if the £40-million scheme can go ahead.

The scheme for the conversion of the factory in Greenbank includes creating more than 250 homes both within the Victorian premises and on land surrounding the building.

The 183 flats and three houses in the factory will be joined by 66 new-build homes, together with workshops and offices, a 20-bed youth hostel, community areas and shop and cafe space.

More than 20 of the homes will be so-called cycle houses, the first in the country, backing on to the Bristol to Bath cyclepath.

A public square, parking for 246 cars and cycle parking has also been included in the scheme.

Squarepeg said offices and workshops for local businesses would create between 350 and 400 jobs.

The construction programme will employ 260 workers involved in the building trade over the four years it will take to complete the project, from plumbers and plasterers to architects and engineers.

Squarepeg director Steve Storey said: "It is well known that the entire construction industry is struggling to survive at the moment.

"We have in the chocolate factory a damn good development that is ready to go ahead and which has been widely acclaimed and well received both locally and nationally, as well as by our prospective financial partners.

"Despite the general doom and gloom, we believe in the chocolate factory ethos that we are prepared to forge ahead, perhaps even creating a bit of a green shoots feel-good factor."

Squarepeg said it was preparing to start work on the site in the spring if planning consent was given on February 18, having successfully negotiated finance for the development.

Mr Storey said: "Getting the finance is in itself a significant achievement in the current climate and demonstrates a real confidence in our vision for the scheme."

Squarepeg has worked with Bristol architect George Ferguson on its project and spent more than a year consulting with local people as it developed its ideas.

Residents of Greenbank wanted the original factory building kept and Mr Storey said many of the ideas that came from the community had been included in the final application.

He said Squarepeg was already talking to local retailers and businesses about moving into the site and the factory could see a cycle hub, cafe bar and a delicatessen.