Food, arts, and entertainment hub to be launched at “must visit” Hertfordshire site

The team behind The Wheat Quarter in Hertfordshire has today announced that the development will include a food, arts, and entertainment hub, after “listening to the needs of the local community”.

Set to launch in 2023, the site will transform Welwyn Garden City’s old Shredded Wheat Factory and industrial areas, aiming to bring the local area back to life by introducing a new modern centre for locals to enjoy, as well as acting as an incubator for small, local independent businesses and budding entrepreneurs.

Firstly, there will be a Food Hall and Arts Hub with a mix of kiosks and open bars, serving as a melting pot of cuisines under one roof, spilling into outdoor spaces and glazed atriums. Visitors can expect between four and six independent kitchens, a coffee shop, and a bar serving local and British craft beers with a selection of wines and cocktails.

Throughout the hall there will be co-working spaces and galleries for local artists and students to display their works, with a display of classic motorbikes.

The second offering brings to life one of Welwyn’s most well-known structures. Sitting atop the iconic silos, 120ft above the town with views across Hertfordshire will be the Falcon Bar, accessed via a new external lift this space and set to become one of the “must visit” spaces in the whole area.

Thirdly, in homage to the site being the home of the historic Welwyn Studios, the team is bringing a leading art house cinema to Welwyn. With three screens this completes the vision of creating a cultural and entertainment hub for the town and region, providing an invaluable alternative to other towns and trips into London.

John West, co-owner of The Wheat Quarter, said: “It’s such an honour to bring this amazing building back to life in such a vibrant and relevant way. For years people have walked, driven or taken the train past this iconic site and know it’ll become part of their futures somewhere they can enjoy and create memories in.

“Bringing life and energy back to Welwyn has always been at the heart of our vision for the Wheat Quarter, and why we bought the site. I want the very best for the area and by creating this entertainment hub we bring something that is missing and needed especially by our younger residents.

“We will be providing jobs and opportunities for the young, and most importantly all on a brownfield site whose development in no way impacts on the green belt or heritage elements of our town.”

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