The Rum Store’s regeneration reaches significant milestone

WORK on the former Royal Navy Rum Store at Victoria Quay has reached a landmark moment, with the completion of extensive enabling works that provide the platform for the rest of the development to move at pace.

The Rum Store enabling works have been undertaken to start the transformation of the building. Debris has been removed ready for the next phase of the project.

Now, the early works package on the building is underway.

Enabling works make a construction site safe and accessible, ahead of this new phase, which includes roof and parapet repairs and renewals for the western elevation, as well as the removal of redundant structure from the worst areas of the building.

Scaffolding has now gone up around the exterior of the building.

Scaffolding has now gone up around The Rum Store, Victoria Quay allowing for the next stage of the project to start.

These crucial early-phase tasks allow the main building project to proceed efficiently and safely, and in the ex-Rum Store’s case, that has meant the Victorian walls being stripped of paint and cleaned, vegetation removed and the building made safe.

That transformational work is now underway, much to the satisfaction of UK Docks Marine Services’ business development director, Ben Mason, who said: “A lot of work has gone into the site to get us to this point, although, to the public, not much of it might be obvious.

“Now, the repairs will start to become visible.

Interior preparations are now underway in the former Royal Navy Rum Store.

“It’s the nature of these projects though, a huge amount of work has to go in, just to get to the starting line, where you begin to see the transformation of the building itself.

“This groundwork is essential in ensuring that what comes next is delivered in the way it should be.”

Gosport Borough Council was awarded £11m from the Government's Local Regeneration Fund in 2023 to renovate the Rum Store building at the former Royal Clarence Yard, and that crucial funding enabled UK Docks to match-fund in the hopes of turning the building into a major asset for the local community.

Work on the £22m transformation began last Autumn with local architects, Pritchard Architecture, having been engaged to lead the ambitious project.

Ultimately, the investment in the historic building, which once housed the Royal Navy’s entire rum store at the height of the British Empire, could create hundreds of jobs and nearly 7,000 sqm of mixed-use space, breathing new life into the area.

Meticulous reconstruction of The Rum Store is being undertaken to safeguard the architectural and historic interest of the grade II listed building.

The grade II listed building offers impressive views across Portsmouth Harbour and will play a pivotal part in the council’s wider plans to revitalise and reconnect the town and its historic waterfront. 

The meticulous redevelopment of the site will also painstakingly safeguard the architectural and historic interest of the listed structure and protect its character and appearance.

UK Docks’ Ben Mason said: “Working with Gosport Borough Council has given us access to government funding and helped unlock solutions to problems that were bigger than just our site at Victoria Quay, such as local infrastructure.

“The council has big plans for regeneration in the borough and we're delighted to be a partner in that.

“We plan to keep issuing regular updates as work continues on making this area one of the jewels in the crown for Gosport.”

Illustration of The Rum Store at Victoria Quay following restoration of the grade II listed building.

* If you are a marine-based business looking for premises at the Rum Store on its completion, you can register your interest by emailing TheRumStore@victoriaquay.net