Rooftop bar could soon open on top of Bristol’s M-Shed museum

The M-Shed museum could soon open a rooftop bar as Bristol City Council looks for ways to plug a £19.5 million financial gap in its 2022/23 budget.

The bar would offer panoramic views of the Harbourside, Bristol Cathedral and the Wills Memorial Building and could prove a popular drinking space due to its close proximity to the bustling Whapping Wharf development.

The proposal, by cabinet member deputy mayor Councillor Craig Cheney, is just one in a catalogue of budget ideas being put forward including a controversial parking charges hike.

While nothing has been decided yet, it is hoped the rooftop bar could generate a pretty penny as part of a property and capital investment - £10,000 in the financial year from April, £50,000 in 2023 and £23,000 the following year.

The proposed 2022/23 budget was published on January 20, with Bristol mayor Marvin Rees warning that the social living crisis, along with growing inflation and interest rates, were anticipated to put extra pressure on council services.

But the council is taking a positive stance on its financial position, with Councillor Cheney adding the authority had ‘done well to get ourselves this close to a £19m problem’ after council chiefs in Birmingham reported an eye-watering financial gap of £33m.

The budget is expected to be rubberstamped at this afternoon’s Cabinet meeting (January 18) before being considered at a Full Council meeting on February 15.