Shape of things to come as historic rum store’s impressive new look unveiled

THE first glimpse of what a restored Rum Store in Gosport’s Victoria Quay will look like after its impending multi-million-pound renovation has been revealed.

The architect’s impression of the transformed derelict Grade II listed building shows an impressive, elegant structure which transforms the original Victorian warehouse into a perfectly appointed 21st-century facade,

The reimagined Rum Store on Victoria Quay in Gosport as it will look after renovation and return to public function.

Published by Gosport Borough Council, the design illustrates how the 150-year-old building will transition from a redundant site into an engine of regeneration for the local community.

The UK Docks-owned building was formerly the house of the entire Royal Navy store of rum rations but ran into decline in the early years of the 20th century and was critically damaged in the Second World War when German bombs destroyed most of the first floor of the vast building.

The Rum Store as it currently stands with much of its outer facade retained but almost entirely derelict inside.

Now it is set to transform from an eyesore into a centre of growth, with a restored building being the centrepiece of a transformative reimagining of Victoria Quay.

The proposed renovation would create nearly 7,000 sqm of mixed-use employment space, mainly for maritime businesses like yacht brokers and naval architects. 

Other units in the building are earmarked for retail and leisure, including a possible rooftop terrace bar and restaurant with views across Portsmouth Harbour.

It's expected that the restored building could be completed as early as summer 2026, creating up to 200 jobs and boosting the local economy by £11m a year.

Costing £22m, the revamp would see the Grade II listed property turned into mixed employment space with some retail and leisure units.

Proposed works to renovate the building include:

• Specialist conservation repairs to the historic structure

• Reconstruction of collapsed floors

• New open plan gallery entrance with staircase and lifts

• Reconstruction of the second floor which was demolished following World War II bomb damage

• Construction of a rooftop bar and terrace

The project is led by UK Docks Marine Servies and Pritchard Architecture with the support of Gosport Borough Council, sponsored by a grant from the Government’s Levelling-Up fund.

In 2023, Gosport Borough Council led a bid for Government Levelling Up funding to renovate the Rum Store building, match-funded by UK Docks.

The council's bid also included support for public realm improvements along the waterfront to encourage more residents and visitors to discover the attractions and businesses on that route. 

This will include creating new physical links to help more people access the waterfront while telling the story of heritage through wayfinding, public art and more.

Ben Mason, UK Docks Portfolio Manager at Victoria Quay, said: "This project could provide huge opportunities for Gosport residents and businesses. 

“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."

Councillor Peter Chegwyn, leader of Gosport Borough Council, said: "The Rum Store is a key piece of the jigsaw of improving Gosport's waterfront. 

“Not only could this project restore a derelict historic building, it'll create a new commercial and leisure destination for people to enjoy. 

“We hope it'll welcome more residents and visitors alike to explore a more connected waterfront."

Full details can be seen in the planning portal on the Gosport Borough Council website.

Reconnecting Gosport's historic waterfront

The Rum Store is a part of the council's wider plans to revitalise and reconnect the town's historic waterfront.

New video showcases UK Docks' growing marine services portfolio nationwide

A new video highlighting UK Docks marine services operations across the country has been created by Annelies James of 22MIdnight.

The video underlines the company’s position as the country’s largest, independent, privately-owned marine services provider.

It showcases our bases at UK Docks Tyneside, Teesside, Cremyll and Gosport (where Annelies is based), through video and drone footage.

DJI drones were used, operating under a drone licence and aware of restricted fly zones while also dodging high winds, (and birds!), to get wide angles, spins, pans and float. 

The software used was Adobe Premier Pro, alongside copyright-free music and creative use of graphic design.

Annelies said of the project: "It was pretty complicated work pulling it all together, but really enjoyable at the same time and we're happy with the results.

"It shows how impressive UK Docks is and the video can be used at displays and exhibitions, as well as online, as an engaging and interesting way to interact with clients and customers."

The 22Midnight video shows where the company currently stands, what we do and what we offer to the marine sector around our shores in 2024.

Jonathan Wilson, managing director of UK Docks, said: “We’re delighted with 22Midnight’s work which is perfect as a visual presentation of where the company stands and the services it can provide.

“It’s important in business to use every tool at your disposal to highlight and explain your services and a video like this is a simple but very effective way of getting our message across.

“There’s also some great drone footage on there, which helps the viewer get a grasp of what UK Docks facilities are about - something which is hard to appreciate sometimes when you’re at ground level.”

HMS Scimitar now cuts a dash as MV Lady Jean

A former Royal Naval patrol vessel has found a new life as a hospital ship in Africa, thanks to the work of engineers and specialists at UK Docks in Gosport.

HMS Scimitar was a patrol vessel that served with sister ship HMS Sabre as part of the Gibraltar Squadron for many years, safeguarding the waters around the entrance to the Mediterranean.

Both were brought back to the UK, decommissioned and sold, with HMS Scimitar being bought by The Vine Trust charity and converted by UK Docks into a medical ship, the Scimitar being renamed the MV Lady Jean at a naming ceremony in Portsmouth.

Once the conversion work was completed, the new look vessel made a poignant final pass by sister ship HMS Sabre, which was bought by a private owner, before being moved to Southampton where she was loaded on to a vessel transiting to Mombassa.

The refitted and rejuvenated former HMS Scimitar bids a last farewell to sister ship HMS Sabre before heading to Africa.

Having arrived in Kenya, she is now due to be lifted onto a specialist lorry and moved to Lake Victoria in Tanzania where she will operate as a mobile medical vessel, serving the numerous islands on the lake.

Charles Barley, UK Docks director at Endeavor Quay said: “It was an unusual and interesting project for us to work on and it brought several challenges we had to rise to as we worked through the conversion but it was really satisfying for the team.

“It was quite touching at the end, seeing her alongside HMS Sabre for the last time but it’s great that she has important new duties ahead of her.

“As HMS Scimitar, she did Royal Naval work which kept people safe, now, as the MV Lady Jean, she’s doing medical work which will protect people’s health.”

The former HMS Scimitar, now the MV Lady Jean, being lowered back into the water to begin life as a hospital ship.

The year-long conversion was funded by international defence company Babcock, who contracted UK Docks to undertake the work.

UK Docks offered discounted rates, free lifting of the vessel and free storage during conversion which took place on both Victoria and Endeavour Quay.

The changes included a new generator, conversion of the wheelhouse and forward accommodation to suit the needs of a hospital vessel and new galley with fridges, ovens, sink, serving areas and air conditioning unit installed.

There was a total redesign of the aft transom with guardrails, boarding steps and boarding platform put in to allow people to board.

Additionally, a new engine had to be sourced and as the Scimatar’s former engines were obsolete.

That sparked a two-month, European-wide search before, a new MAN truck engine was sourced in Holland. 

Once the engine was shipped back to the UK, it was stripped down and rebuilt into a new engine using parts from both engines, over the course of the next two months with stringent testing being carried out on the resulting engine. 

This solution proved to be a great success and UK Docks were thankful for the help and assistance they received from other collaborators during the project. 

Fully restored and refurbished, the new MV Lady Jean.

UK Docks managing director, Jonathan Wilson, said: “Our company carries out servicing and maintenance of vessels from the North East down to the South Coast and each project is unique in its own way.

“But the conversion of HMS Scimitar into the MV Lady Jean was a particularly special one.

“We would like to thank The Vine Trust and Babcock for entrusting us with the work and we wish the MV Lady Jean many years of successful service on Lake Victoria.”

UK Docks' team helps restore Arbeia Roman Fort herb gardens

A UK Docks team in South Shields has helped the town’s historic, Roman Fort win back herb gardens which became overgrown during the pandemic.

The volunteers made the short trip from River Drive to the fort to spend all day clearing thick brambles, wild fennel and weeds from the former gardens and surrounding areas.

And the hope is that the sweet smell of success will follow in the coming months as the herb gardens at the entrance to the fort site in Baring Street are returned to their former glory.

UK Docks clear overgrown herb gardens at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort watched by Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums staff Alex Croom and August Fenwick

Overseeing the work was Alex Croom, Keeper of Archaeology at Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums, who said: “It’s great that UK Docks chose us for their latest clean-up.

“It has taken us a big step forward in terms of getting our herb gardens back.

“Herbs were of great importance to the Romans and other cultures at the time when Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort was a fully-functioning garrison and we are looking forward to restoring them.

“In Roman times, herbs like woad were used for dyeing cloths, many others, like comfrey, were used for medicinal purposes and of course, they cultivated the likes of thyme, lovage and rue for cooking.

“Finally, herbs had a ceremonial and religious purpose, which is why we see such plants as roses, violets, rosemary and wormwood”

Digging for victory, UK Docks at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort 

August Fenwick, customer service assistant at Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort, said: “The extra hands have been a big help because we would have struggled to do it by ourselves.

“We got so much more done because of their collective efforts and there was a great buzz about the place on the day.

“The herb gardens used to be a popular part of a visit to the Fort because straight after coming out of the visitors’ centre you were met by all these lovely aromas.

“It became overgrown during Covid though and it’s lovely to think we might soon have them back - visitors loved them and sometimes asked if they could take a bit of mint or other herbs with them, which we didn’t mind if it gave them a nice memory of their visit.”

Wheelbarrows, forks and spades were at the ready first thing in the morning as office manager, Emma Bryson organised a team which transformed the look and feel of the site by the end of the day, clearing the site and replacing cobblestones.

Emma said: “It was hard work for us all but enjoyable - we got to get out in the fresh air in a beautiful, historic spot and it was good for team spirit and bonding.

“Arbeia, South Shields Roman Fort was a great project to work on because the gardens had been an attraction once and it was rewarding to watch it starting to come back to life as we cleared the ground.

“Now we’re looking forward to returning when the gardens are fully restored.”

UK Docks carried out a beach clean of Littlehaven Beach before work at Arbeia and is now planning a full programme of volunteer events among the workforce every other month.

UK Docks welcomes aboard Royal Navy veteran Richard as Vessel Manager

A warm UK Docks Marine Services welcome to new starter Richard Cheel who has joined the company as Vessel Manager based at our offices in South Shields.
Richard, pictured here (left) being welcomed aboard by Technical Manager, John Lally, may be new to the company but he's also a veteran.

He is an ex-Royal Navy marine engineering Warrant Officer with over two decades of service to the country under his belt.
UK Dock has always acknowledged the contributions our serving armed forces bring to commercial organisations like ours and many of our team are ex-service personnel.
Richard becomes the 16th member of staff from the Forces, to be based in our North East offices and we also have four people who have direct relations serving in the armed forces.
The company's commitment to the armed forces was recently recognised with a Silver Award under the Defence Employer’s Recognition Scheme.
The scheme recognises individual company's commitments to the Armed Forces Covenant in their business practices.
We're proud to support the UK's Armed Forces at every opportunity but UK Docks also benefits from the knowledge and expertise people like Richard bring to our business.