Historic Royal Navy Rum Store Restoration Moves to Next Phase

The £22 million regeneration of the Grade II listed former Royal Navy Rum Store at Victoria Quay, Gosport, will advance to its next major phase of restoration in October. 

This stage marks the beginning of a more extensive external transformation, setting the building on a path to have its second floor replaced, repointing the external elevations, running all services and readying the entire historic site for a new use as commercial office, retail, and leisure space, with core completion scheduled for spring 2028. 

Under the same family ownership as Victoria Quay and UK Docks Marine Services, the landmark Grade II listed structure was once the central storehouse for the Royal Navy's entire rum rations for the fleet. 

The building has stood vacant for more than 30 years after suffering extensive bomb damage during the Second World War and a subsequent roof collapse.  

The current regeneration plans, designed by Pritchard Architecture, will restore the derelict structure into a thriving waterfront commercial community. The project is supported by an £11 million grant secured by Gosport Borough Council from the Government's Local Regeneration Fund, and match-funded by site owners.

Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, and Zoe Huggins, Leader of Gosport Borough Council, toured the building to inspect the progress on site. 

During the tour, the delegation observed the specialised conservation techniques deployed on the historic fabric of the building.

The construction team, led by LST Projects, has completed the re-pointing of the external rear elevation using a carefully matched lime mortar, preserving the original appearance of the Victorian brickwork as well as a majority of the early works package.

Inside the building, joiners are carrying out extensive repairs to the structural timber, painstakingly replacing the windows and scarfing in new sections of joists to support the roof and Victorian rainwater drainage system.

Dame Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, noted that the restoration of this key heritage asset will support the wider economic development of the area, which is estimated to generate an £11 million annual boost for the Gosport economy. Ms Dinenage commented, “It’s particularly poignant to visit The Rum Store and see its progress this week during Gosport Heritage Week. This building is central to Gosport’s Royal Navy connection, and it is fantastic to see the meticulous work that is being undertaken here to bring the building back to being a commercial hub.”

Zoe Huggins, Leader of Gosport Borough Council, reaffirmed the council's commitment to the Rum Store as part of the wider Waterfront Regeneration Project: “This project is critical to the successful regeneration of Gosport’s waterfront economy, and as we can see on today’s visit, it is already bringing additional jobs to Gosport and contributing to the local economy.

"The specialist tradespeople we’ve met today and the businesses that will occupy The Rum Store, bringing up to 200 new jobs, will indeed revitalise this whole area. It will contribute to the local community and beyond. What was once a bustling victualling yard is already well on the way to becoming a vibrant commercial community. Victoria Quay has already attracted a range of marine-based businesses as tenants of the boatyard, and I am certain that sympathetic conversion of The Rum Store will attract a whole host of businesses, retailers and leisure tenants.”

Zoe Huggins, Leader of Gosport Borough Council:

“This project is critical to the successful regeneration of Gosport’s waterfront economy, and as we can see on today’s visit, it is already bringing additional jobs to Gosport and contributing to the local economy.”

Ben Mason, Business Development Director at UK Docks and Victoria Quay, explained that the next package of works represents a significant step forward for the Rum Store as the project moves from initial enabling and early works into major structural restoration. “So far, the project has focused on making the structure safe again, including demolition and repairs, and now we can move on to more transformative parts of the regeneration. 

“We’re moving on to re-pointing the Victorian brickwork around the more visible elevations, replacing windows and getting the building ready to reconstruct the upper floor, ready for the new roof structure. The work will be phased over the next 18 months and will include underground works, including the installation of power, water and drainage.”

Preparing the timber joists and planning the reconstruction of the second storey are critical milestones as the team works towards delivering a modern commercial and leisure hub by 2028

Businesses and prospective tenants interested in becoming part of this new and rapidly expanding marine hub can register their interest in the commercial spaces by emailing the project team at TheRumStore@victoriaquay.net