PLATFORM_ Completes Landmark Cultural Residency with The Jam Jar in Bristol, Setting a New Standard for Meanwhile Use
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PLATFORM_, the leading Build to Rent developer and operator, has concluded a spectacular five-month cultural residency at its newly acquired Bristol site, located on the historic former Crown Sawmills within the wider Frome Gateway Regeneration area. Partnering with local Bristol legends The Jam Jar, PLATFORM_ utilised the period prior to construction to host a series of large-scale events, proving that property development can contribute social and cultural value to a city long before construction starts.
The Jam Jar is a renowned independent music venue and community hub in Bristol, known for turning its unused industrial space into a vibrant cultural venue. Driven by a mission to support grassroots artists and facilitate meaningful interactions between artists and audience, their vision aligned perfectly with PLATFORM_’s ambition to activate the site, making them an ideal partner for this residency.
The meanwhile use initiative has left a definitive mark on the city’s cultural landscape. Across five major events, the site welcomed over 9600 attendees, across a wide range of ages and demographics, and served as a vital platform for diverse artists and cutting-edge audio technology.
The series launched in July with Alfresco Disco, drawing 2,500 people to a site previously closed to the public. Subsequent events included a sold-out Halloween showcase, an intimate live Americana show with Nora Brown & Stephanie Coleman, a high-energy electronic showcase with Keep Hush and finally a 4000-capacity festival opening the full site for Bristol’s biggest New Year’s Eve event.
More than just a venue, the site delivered meaningful cultural, social, and technical impact. It raised vital funds to support The Jam Jar’s permanent home, championed global majority artists while promoting gender balance in its line-ups, and showcased the first UK deployment of the Lambda Labs QX3 sound system, tipped as the world’s leading point-source system.
Jean-Marc Vandevivere, Chief Executive at PLATFORM_, said: “We believe that the time between purchasing a site and starting construction shouldn't be a ‘silent’ period. It is an opportunity. By collaborating with The Jam Jar, we’ve demonstrated that developers can be active contributors to a city’s soul long before the first brick is laid. This residency wasn't just about events; it was about showing Bristol that PLATFORM_ is committed to the city's culture for the long term.”
Reflecting on the unique opportunity, Hadie Abido, Creative Director at The Jam Jar, added: “This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to leave a lasting stitch in the tapestry of Bristol’s culture. The ability to stretch out of our four walls and work with artists we otherwise couldn't has been transformative. These events will go down in the history books. There is truly nowhere else in Bristol like this site, and we are proud to have helped it close its previous chapter with such a resounding celebration.”
Looking ahead, PLATFORM_ is excited to continue its partnership with The Jam Jar throughout 2026, with a full calendar of events planned to keep the site active and engaged for the local community. Upcoming highlights include live performances from Pete Rock, El Búho and Dengue Dengue Dengue.
Alongside this programme, preparations will progress for the next stage of the site’s journey: the delivery of 352 high-quality Build-to-Rent homes. PLATFORM_ plans to deliver a next-generation residential neighbourhood that mirrors the energy of its recent cultural use. Following unanimous planning approval granted on 17th December, the development will deliver homes designed for the modern renter, featuring integrated amenities and sustainable design.
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