Plans Pub could be turned into offices for growing health firm

A BUSINESSMAN has unveiled plans to move the headquarters of his health tech company to an empty pub building in Stapleton, and said he wants to double the size of the company in the next few years.

- Tristan CORK

Tariq Muhammad is the boss of Invatech Health, which employs around 50 people and is currently based in Stapleton Road in Easton.

Now the businessman, who also plans to create a new block of flats at the end of East Street in Bedminster, has presented plans for the old Merchants Arms pub to the community on the edge of Eastville and Stapleton.

More than 30 local residents, including ward councillor Lorraine Francis (Green, Eastville) attended the public meeting at Stapleton Church Hall last week, where Mr Muhammad presented his plans.

The large pub building is on a big site in the shadow of the M32 fly-over on the corner of Averay Road and Bell Hill. It closed as a pub in 2016, and has lain empty and unused ever since.

Mr Muhammad wants to transform the building with a 'stylish new facade', and convert the inside into 'eco-offices' alongside a community coffee shop and nine flats.