A disused warehouse in south Bristol is set to be transformed into a quirky 11-bedroom hostel, opening in the autumn.
The team behind Towed Town Camping, a hotel in St. Philips, Bristol where the ‘rooms’ are individual caravans in a warehouse space, have been granted planning permission to convert the former home of MJJ Autos Ltd in Southville into the new hostel.
Work is due to begin in spring 2021 and when complete, the site will house 11 double-bedroom suites, including bathroom facilities plus shared kitchenette, communal space and cycle storage.
Architects Childs Sulzmann, on behalf of the operators, said: “Towed Town aim to introduce quirky and interesting accommodation offerings within disused or undervalued buildings in a way that breathes new life into not only the buildings but the surrounding area.
“Their ambition is to provide affordable accommodation, in interesting locations and in interesting ways.
“Where others would tend to demolish buildings, Towed Town Camping seek to retain them, helping to reduce their carbon footprint and retain local character.
“Globally, there is a growing trend of alternative and quirky accommodation. Towed Town Camping is helping bring that trend to Bristol in a way that, unlike many Airbnbs, does not put pressure on the local housing supply.”
Although the site will provide a “more formalised option to guests” than the five caravans offered in the St. Philips hotel, bedroom suites will be “decorated in a similar quirky, informal style to that of Towed Town Camping”.
The hostel will be self-catering and centre around a large ground floor communal area.
Emma Reynolds and Fred Wyatt launched Towed Town Camping three years ago to address a lack of affordable short-term accommodation in Bristol city centre.
Emma said: “We’re really excited to start work on the project next year and hope to welcome our first guests in September 2021.
“It’s such a fantastic location between North Street and East Street and we think it will be a really exciting addition for the BS3 community, at a site which has been derelict for years.”
For more information please visit Towed Town Camping at www.towedtowncamping.com.
