FOOD, DRINK AND EVENT SPACE TO OPEN AT EQ BRISTOL

Independent hospitality provider BaxterStorey is set to unveil a café and event space at CEG’s iconic EQ development in the heart of Bristol.

As part of CEG’s aim to raise the bar in terms of quality, occupant wellbeing and sustainability, a new fitness suite with gym equipment, classes and health club changing facilities will also open.

More than 10% of the 200,000 sq ft EQ building provides amenities ranging from a 50-seater auditorium, a variety of break-out spaces including the independent café kitchen which will be open to all, and the rooftop business lounge and events space with communal terrace.

The BaxterStorey ground floor café kitchen will champion seasonality and local food heroes and barista style coffee made from local roasters Extract Coffee. Situated just a few minutes’ walk from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, the ground floor café known as Press, in a nod to the former print operation at the site, will provide a place to eat, meet, drink and work with access to WiFi and plug in points.

Louise Denton, managing director at BaxterStorey said: “We are thrilled to be partnering with CEG to bring an exciting hospitality venue to Bristol. They have a long-standing agenda of enhancing the workspace experience through sustainable initiatives, and their strong community focus aligns with our own values. We look forward to bringing our craft and creativity to EQ and to help grow it to be the destination of choice for memorable hospitality experiences”.

The facilities, along with some of the largest open plan office floor space in Bristol to its fully equipped internet-ready Let Ready studios, EQ is set to become a thriving and collaborative community and home to the likes of HSBC, Evelyn, Arup and Paymentsense.

Paul Richardson, investment manager at CEG, explained: “It is fantastic to secure an independent hospitality provider with the kudos of BaxterStorey. With over 20 years of experience in creating beautiful spaces and fuelling customers with their innovative and exciting menus, we cannot wait to see what the team unveils at EQ.

“We share the same ethos in delivering the highest quality with unrivalled sustainability credentials, and know that they, as well as our building, will be working hard to help the environment. As well as helping to fuel those who work, or meet, at EQ, the café kitchen will be open to the wider public for all to enjoy.”

The all-electric EQ is the first building in the southwest to announce a commitment to targeting Net Zero Carbon in operation. Its fabric first design, with a more efficient façade, reduces the amount of energy the building needs and the photovoltaic units on the roof can save 25 tonnes of carbon dioxide each year. Heated through low carbon heat-pump technology, rainwater recycling will save 2,000 litres of water per occupant each year by design.

In a first for Bristol, a dedicated bicycle entrance and ramp from Temple Street to the basement provides easy access to more than 260 cycle spaces, which is in excess of industry standard, with e-bike charging also available. Health club quality changing and shower facilities are also provided.

CEG has one of the largest office development pipelines in Bristol, offering some 400,000 sq. ft in its local portfolio at The Quorum, The Crescent Centre, 1000 Aztec West and EQ.  More information is available on www.eqbristol.co.uk

Press is expected to open mid-April and will operate Monday-Friday from 07.30am with an all-day offer that champions seasonality and local food heroes. Items include Aussie style brunch bowl, freshly baked artisan breads and a breakfast menu using Ruby and White’s sausages.  There will also be dishes made with rescued surplus veg from supplier partner Waste Knot.