B1 Amphitheatre Shed
A waterfront hut in the heart of the Harbour
The opportunity
This small hut is centrally located – just outside the Amphitheatre and near to the activity of Millennium Square and St Augustine’s Reach. Sometimes known as the Cream Hut, this small building holds a fantastic opportunity for food and beverage, a cultural business, small office or a pop up shop.
Technical information
- Size: The Amphitheatre Shed has 16sqm internal space. Outdoor space may also be available depending on the idea.
- Lease Length: Term of lease for discussion with interested parties
- Access: Closest public parking is Millennium Square and nearest vehicle access point for loading is Canon’s Way. A 1.8m access route along the quayside must be retained to enable access to the mooring locations on the quayside vessels.
- Permissions: Planning permission would be required for any use longer than 28 days and will be liable to business rates.
- Power and Utilities: The building has the potential for power and water which the Harbour will connect if required. There is no foul drainage connection. See Resources section.
- Notes: Opening hours and times would be restricted during seasonal events in the Amphitheatre / Waterfront Square unless by agreement with individual event organisers. See ‘Current and Past Uses’ – right, for more information.
- Bristol City Council’s Events Team has prepared an Events Site Guide for the Amphitheatre. Expressions of Interest for events on these spaces should continue to use Bristol City Council’s Events Form for a copy of the form please email site.permissions@bristol.gov.uk.
Current and past uses
- The building has no purpose at present, though it has been used for storage during larger events in the past.
- Known as the Cream Hut to some.
- There is an active event programme from April – November currently occupying Amphitheatre site, which has a capacity of 5000 people. Typically the space is in use for events (both set up and the event itself) for approximately 90 days/year. Details of the emerging programme for 2025/6 is available from Bristol City Council Events team and can be obtained from contacting site.permissions@bristol.gov.uk.
- The Amphitheatre & Waterfront Square is used all year round for filming Unit Bases – the hub for productions when filming on location (68 days in 2024-25).
- Waterfront Square is used for toilets and bars etc to support events in the Amphitheatre, in addition to parking for filming managed by Bristol City Council Film Office.
- The Amphitheatre is also a popular space for skateboarding and daily public life when events and filming bookings are not using the site.
- There are currently no vessels moored here but temporary moorings are provided here during the Harbour Festival off a T-pontoon.
The wider area
- The vision for this area, articulated in the Harbour Place Shaping Strategy is for it to be refreshed as a contemporary, inclusive and family-friendly focal point for Bristol’s civic and public life. There is aspiration to create a cross-harbour ferry route between M Shed and The Amphitheatre, as well as a tree-lined waterside walkway around the perimeter of the amphitheatre with enhanced seating near the harbour edge.
- The new owners of Canon’s House (formerly Lloyds Bank HQ building) plan to transform this currently vacant landmark into ‘Bristol’s Leading mixed-use building’.
Video of the Amphitheatre and Waterfront Square sites.
Video footage showing an aerial shot of the amphitheatre and waterfront square site which is adjacent to Canon’s House (formerly Lloyds Bank HQ building).
Interested in this site?
The deadline for applications for Amphitheatre Shed is: 17 November 2025.
