Bristol Beer Factory could be converted into shops, workspace and accommodation for 103 students

The successful company has outgrown the premises in North Street, Southville, and is moving its brewing operations to Ashton Vale Trading Estate and its tap room to the nearby Old Brewery development where 107 homes are being built.

It has now submitted plans to Bristol City Council to demolish some of the buildings, create three new ones of two-, three- and four storeys for students, one of which will have retail or commercial uses on the ground floor, and repair the dilapidated, locally listed Brewery Tower and convert it into workspace.

In planning documents, the firm’s agents said the tower was in an “increasing state of deterioration”.

They said: “Bristol Beer Factory has continued to successfully expand its range and scale of production to the point where the company can no longer continue to operate effectively from the current premises at North Street.

“The extent of this growth has placed considerable pressure on the business.

“Bristol Beer Factory are therefore in the process of transitioning to enlarged and improved premises elsewhere within South Bristol, which will allow them to retain their current workforce, expand further with associated creation of additional jobs and increasingly reinvest in the local community.

“In order to assist in facilitating this, Bristol Beer Factory intend to dispose of their current premises with outline planning permission for mixed-use redevelopment, having previously secured planning permissions for residential conversions of part of the site.

“Notwithstanding, Bristol Beer Factory wishes to retain a presence in the area through the highly successful tap room, and through the sensitive redevelopment of the site.”

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The agents said the occupants would be students at the Bristol School of Acting, based in the Tobacco Factory.

Architects said the tower would be returned to its “former glory” and retained for employment use.

They said: “The upper levels of the Brewery Tower are derelict and the structural condition of this building renders it unusable.

“The Brewery Tower is in such a poor state of repair with severe structural problems that it is uneconomic to retain without the financial benefit of adjacent new development.

“This outline planning application proposes to convert and restore the Brewery Tower for workspace use.

“The Brewery Tower could be demolished without the need for express authorisation, and there would be a compelling case for doing so given its current condition.

“Notwithstanding, the applicant has proceeded with a scheme centred on the refurbishment and re-use of the Brewery Tower in recognition of its local significance.”