Public invited to see shape of things to come in Rum Store transformation

PEOPLE are being invited to see for themselves what the Rum Store regeneration on Victoria Quay in Gosport will look like and to give architects and planners their feedback.

A public consultation is being held at the Weevil Lane offices of UK Docks Marine Services, which owns the currently dilapidated building, on Tuesday, November 12 between 4 pm-7 pm.

And organisers are hoping that as many people as possible will come along to take an interest in the future of the historic, former naval building, which is set for an £22m investment, creating jobs and making the area a destination site for both businesses and visitors.

The consultation will involve storyboards which lay out the work that will be done ahead of the building’s reopening in 2026 and also a model of how the completed building will look.

Ben Mason, portfolio manager at UK Docks, said: “We’re really looking forward to the consultation both in terms of showing visitors details of the plans for what’s going to happen and also listening to what they have to say about the development.

“The community's feedback from this consultation will help shape the proposals for the building, which will be submitted for planning approval later this year.

“We’re particularly keen to hear the views of those living near the site and those living in Gosport itself who we hope will be regular visitors once the Rum Store works are complete.

“We’re very excited about the work ahead because it will help bring this whole area back to life and return it to being the thriving hub of activity it once was.

“This will be very much a working building about we hope to make it a destination site for the marine industry base which we’ve already started to build here at Victoria Quay. Once completed, there will be many types of opportunity for leasing and it should be very attractive for businesses.

”So, it’s very important to explain to people exactly what will be happening over the next couple of years and also to hear the thoughts of the public on the plans.”

UK Docks Marine Services is leading the project alongside local firm Pritchard Architecture supported by Gosport Borough Council.

Giles Pritchard, founder and director of Pritchard Architecture, an award-winning RIBA chartered practice based in Portsmouth, will also be at next week’s consultation event.

He said: “We are delighted to be working on this project to restore and reimagine the Rum Store - one of Gosport’s significant heritage assets and an important building in the story of the Royal Navy. 

“As a local architectural practice located just across Portsmouth Harbour, we have a great sense of pride in restoring this local building which has lain derelict for many years. 

“UK Docks had the ambition to bring the wider site back into marine use, and we are thrilled to be working alongside them with creativity and passion to realise this vision.”

Pritchard Architecture has an excellent track record of delivering a wide range of conservation, alteration and new build projects within a heritage setting. 

Giles added: “The practice is built on an understanding of the conservation principles needed to deliver successful projects to a high standard within a heritage setting. 

“At the outset of a project, we carry out research to understand the heritage and historic development of a building so we make the right decisions on repairs and alterations. 

“By understanding a site’s historic development, we can design solutions which enhance the building and its wider site whilst weathering beautifully in its existing setting.”

The Rum Store is certainly a prize project for any architect to work on, and all those involved are hoping Gosport people will take pride in seeing a grand, old structure brought back into use.

The building is one of the largest and most storied within the former Royal Clarence Yard, and the project will breathe new life into a structure that once served the Royal Navy with rum.

Originally built with an additional storey, the Rum Store was damaged during World War 2 bombing raids, leading to the removal of its top floor.

The new project, powered by the Government’s Levelling Up Fund and match-funding by UK Docks, will carefully restore the building, honouring its rich past while rebuilding the upper floor.

Once complete, the rooftop will feature a stunning bar where visitors can take in panoramic views over Portsmouth Harbour—a unique vantage point that celebrates the area’s maritime legacy.

By creating between 150 and 200 jobs, the project is expected to inject an estimated £11 million into the local economy each year, making it a major driver of growth and opportunity for the community.

• The public consultation event at UK Docks runs from 4 pm- 7 pm next Tuesday, November 12, and there will be opportunities for further feedback over the following days.