We try to put the rumours to rest as we head into 2026A new leisure brand and restaurant will join Odeon in the former Showcase Cinema unit in Cabot Circus.(Image: Urban Edge Architects)

Bristol’s 2025 has seen an abundance of new openings – from a flagship M&S in the heart of our shopping quarter, to cafes and restaurants, bars and shops, both local and independent, and globally renowned. And while we’re not completely certain as to what we can expect in the way of new venues in 2026, there are some rumours circling already.

Could next year see the return of a cinema at Cabot Circus? Will even more Lounges sites open their doors across the city? Could we finally get the music arena of our dreams? Well, maybe not, but hope is not all lost.

We’ve set about to determine which rumours are right and which are wrong, and find out exactly what’s to come in the year ahead…

Odeon at Cabot Circus – February 2026The shiny new Odeon Luxe sign at the entrance to the former Odeon Birmingham Broadway Plaza, which was an AMC site until 2012 Pictures from a backstage tour of the new Odeon Luxe cinema at Broadway Plaza which is set to be fully completed within two weeks in mid June, 2018. Every screen will have reclining seats with tables when Odeon's giant Broadway Plaza site is renamed Odeon Luxe Birmingham It has been converted into Britain's biggest luxury cinema in the city where the company was founded in 1930. Set to be renamed as Odeon Luxe Birmingham, work is almost finished on the ambitious plan to turn all 12 screens into bespoke theatres, giving every customer the chance to sit in an electrically-powered reclining chair with individual retractable tables. All eight screens upstairs were converted during the early spring before work began in April to transform the four ground floor screens. Odeon Luxe Birmingham general manager Susan Harrison said: ''We're extremely proud that Birmingham will be home to the Midlands' first Odeon Luxe cinema. "With Odeon having such a strong connection to the city -including its first cinema being built here in 1930 - it really has been fantastic to see the journey the cinema has undertaken over the past months. "It has been transforming into the ultimate luxury venue for film fans to enjoy for many more years to come." Seating in the iSense screen has also been converted, even though it was only created from Screen 1 in October 2012 in time for the release of James Bond thriller Skyfall. Odeon's alternative screen to IMAX will still have 4K projection and Dolby ATMOS sound. The other 11 standard screens will have improved picture quality with Dolby 7.1 surround sound delivered through 190 brand new speakers. The cinema has stayed open throughout the transformation process, albeit with a reduced number of screens operating. When US company AMC first opened the site it had 2,909 seats in 12 screens. Odeon took it over in the summer of 2012, but although the number of screens will stay the same when it open in June the number of seats will have gone down to 1,264. But the upside is that they will offer films fans triple the legroom and increased personal space while making booking near essential for new blockbusters at peak times. Anyone hard of hearing will be able to use a new Dolby Fidelio Audio Description system and an upgraded hearing-impaired system across all screens. Current prices are £12 for adults, £9.50 for teens (13-17) and £10 for seniors. Words, pictures and video by Graham Young Odeon is coming to Bristol’s Cabot Circus(Image: Birmingham Mail)

Back in November, BristolLive reported that the team behind a new cinema set to open at Cabot Circus have confirmed it will open early next year. The Odeon Luxe cinema will be on the site of the former Showcase Cinema at the top of the shopping centre. The Showcase Cinema de Lux closed its Cabot Circus doors in November 2023.

Since then, the official Odeon website lists the brand new Odeon Luxe Bristol as opening in February 2026. At time of writing (December 2025), the webpage reads: “Get ready to experience a little more luxury at your new favourite cinema, ODEON Luxe Bristol, opening February 2026 in Cabot Circus Shopping Centre.

“Enjoy some of the year’s biggest releases, including Wuthering Heights, Goat, Scream 7, and more in our luxury recliners with extra legroom… Lean back in the luxury of our fully-reclining seats that have three times the standard legroom and more personal space. Unfold the built-in table to enjoy a sumptuous feast from our Luxe menu.

“You can also meet up with friends before or after the film at our upmarket Oscar’s Bar. Enjoy your favourite tipple at the bar or order the perfect accompaniment to your film and take it with you into the cinema.

“Treat yourself to our most immersive film experience with IMAX at ODEON Luxe Bristol. Specially designed so the entire film will visually expand to fill the entire screen in high resolution, allowing moviegoers to see more of the image with unprecedented crispness and clarity.

“Treat yourself to nachos, hot dogs or potato tots or share popcorn and chocolate-covered treats. You don’t have to worry about missing the trailers either. By downloading the free ODEON app, you’ll enjoy instant booking of our best value tickets, plus the Order & Collect service that lets you browse our menu, tap to order, then pick up your food and drinks on your way to your seats.”

The webpage also describes how the ‘Luxe Suite’ will boast two-seater Luxe Pods for more privacy while you watch films.

Quakers Friars development – date unknownThe Friary building in Quakers Friars used to be home to KlosterhausThe Friary building in Quakers Friars used to be home to Klosterhaus(Image: Bristol Live)

Work and plans are set to begin taking shape for the redevelopment of Quakers Friars soon, though no date has been confirmed yet. Earlier this year the owners of Cabot Circus, which includes Quakers Friars, submitted plans for the latter to radically transform the space. Owner Hammerson wants to make on-street improvements to the public spaces, aiming to make Quakers Friars a destination for people to socialise, with bars, cafes and restaurants.

BristolLive reported that the historic Friary Building, which was home to Klosterhaus restaurant then various food pop-ups, would be repurposed as a “cultural destination”. It would offer a flexible space for activities, community gatherings and events.

Another big change will focus on the shops on the south side of Philadelphia Street, with buildings retrofitted to “increase vibrancy and variety” with a mix of uses including retail, health, work space and “cultural experiences”.

A Hammerson spokesperson said in August: “Our plans include a substantial investment in Quakers Friars with new public realm, a potential health hub and a cultural venue. The plans are part of our ongoing commitment to Bristol city centre and follow a programme of investment into Cabot Circus.”

Hammerson’s plan for the area, approved by Bristol City Council at the end of May, stated: “Quakers Friars has the potential to become a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week, 365-day-a-year destination. It can attract a wide range of visitors, from locals seeking cultural experiences to tourists looking for local shopping and dining experiences.

“By embracing the unique heritage and creating a welcoming and inclusive community, Quakers Friars can become a must-visit destination in Bristol, for locals and tourists alike.”

When reporting the planned closure of local not-for-profit shop Prior, which sits in Quakers Friars, BristolLive shared a comment from Prior’s owner and founder who said that they had been “invited to be involved in this new development so we’re currently planning and writing a business plan for how we can bring something new to the area”.

She added: “The new Quakers Friars will be a busy arts quarter, with plans for regular events, markets, music and a huge amount of Bristol’s independent activity. Think of it as Bristol’s version of Covent Garden. I’ve seen the proposals – it’s going to be amazing!”

Wapping Wharf’s Cargo development – years awayCARGO Hall restaurant terraces at nightCARGO Hall restaurant terraces at night(Image: Umberslade)

Despite plans being unveiled in 2023 for Bristol’s Wapping Wharf transformation, the cargo shipping containers at the popular foodie destination in the city are set to remain in place for at least two more years, BristolLive reported back in November. The shipping containers at the Harbourside location were only ever supposed to be a temporary destination, before being replaced by a permanent stylish development containing many more restaurants, bars and businesses.

The Cargo venue with its shipping containers full of restaurants and bars and other independent businesses, as it currently stands, has been described by the likes of food critic and MasterChef alumni Grace Dent as being a ‘true independent food destination in its own right’ and the ‘Bristol Riviera’.

Stuart Hatton, managing director of Wapping Wharf owners and developers, told BristolLive on October 31: “We are still keen to go ahead with the final phases of development at Wapping Wharf North, which will provide high-quality places for people to live, work and unwind, together with permanent new homes for our independent Cargo businesses.

“It’s important for us to create a fitting legacy for Wapping Wharf as well as one that truly reflects the spirit of this neighbourhood and as a major and complex project, it is taking time to work through some of the finer details of our proposals with Bristol City Council. After we receive planning consent, there will still be a lot to do, carrying out detailed designs and selecting a contractor, before we can start work on site.

“As a result, our brilliant community of independent businesses will be staying in their trademark shipping container homes at Cargo for at least the next two years.”

Hotel Gotham – early 2026

According to the official Hotel Gotham website: “There is a stirring in Bristol in the historic Guildhall as 2023 sees the start of work on the creation of a stunning new 5* hotel. The Guildhall is a very special site in Bristol – it is listed and incredibly imposing – but it has been closed since 2010, and it is time for this grand old building to be brought back to life and contribute fully to Bristol’s visitor scene and nightlife.

“The new Hotel Gotham will be ready to open its doors in early 2026, with 75 bedrooms, a restaurant, spa and a even a rumoured rooftop terrace bar! Described by the Guardian as ‘glitzy, ambitious, unapologetically opulent’ and offering ‘pizazz and pampering’, we can’t wait to bring the Gotham brand to Bristol.”

The Gotham Collection as it is called boasts hotels in Manchester and Newcastle, with the Bristol venue set to open on Broad Street.