More information has arrived about the relaunch, on October 15th, of what was the Milsom Quarter and is due to return to its original name of Shires Yard.
Here’s the full press release l have received from Yarrow PR:
‘Set within Bath’s upmarket shopping quarter, Shires Yard is a contemporary redevelopment cocooned between Georgian townhouses stretching from Milsom Street to Broad Street. It sits just a stone’s throw from landmark sites such as the Royal Crescent and the Circus.
Comprising 75,000 sq ft of listed buildings, suntrap courtyards, terraces and vaults, the design blends heritage roots with modern finishes to create a stylish and sympathetically reimagined space.
The exterior landscaping has been recently implemented by Jon Wheatley, RHS Victoria Medal of Honour recipient and fourteen-time RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medal winner, whose team will continue to curate seasonal planting and displays.
Previously named Milsom Place, the site was first named Shires Yard in the Georgian period, operating as a working stable yard that would transport goods and art from Bath to London. Now under new ownership, its latest custodians are keen to bring this past to life, restoring the original name to honour its past energy and dynamism.
The area around Shires Yard has been part of Bath’s cultural reputation since the 18th century. Now, visitors and locals alike will be able to discover an array of independent businesses, with a focus on new British heritage and West Country talent.
The aim is to become a collective hub of creativity, from established names to breakthrough brands, spanning retail, food and drink, wellness and lifestyle.
William Riordan, who is leading the project, commented:
“This is about creating a place where people feel connected – to the makers and partners within the estate, to the stories and the memories created on site, and above all, to each other. We want to foster a sense of belonging that goes beyond shopping or eating and drinking, creating a community for the people of this very special city and those who visit.”
WHAT’S NEW?
Recent additions this summer include Magari, cooking fresh homemade pasta, Coret Coffee & Wine, serving speciality teas, coffees and wine, and The Cookery Studio, delivering hands-on masterclasses in their specially designed space.
Moving into the former Jamie’s Italian restaurant, occupying an expansive space over two floors and a rooftop terrace, will be Root by Josh & Holly Eggleton’s The Pony Group and co-patrons Rob Howell and Meg Oakley-Howell.
Serving Root’s signature vegetable-led plates in a double-height, light-filled space, this will be their first site in Bath and the largest Root to date, with the addition of a casual dining and drinks space on the ground floor serving a dedicated Root cocktail menu. It will open in October 2025, joining their two existing sites in Bristol and Wells.
Another notable opening this autumn will be Bramley, with its first standalone store. Following the successful launch of their new Bramley Skin spa range, the serene space will showcase their full range of natural body and skincare products, with plans to offer skincare consultations and experiences.
These new additions join existing restaurants Bosco pizzeria, The Botanist, Bandook Indian and Côte Brasserie, and there will be more new openings from retailers and restaurateurs in the coming months. In line with Bath’s thriving cultural calendar, there will also be a programme of special events throughout the year in 2026, tapping into key moments and bringing the site to life with each season.
A REINVESTMENT IN THE HIGH STREET
Shires Yard directly fronts Milsom Street, which has a fashionable history and has been part of Bath’s food and cultural reputation since the 1770s. In Georgian times, this grand shopping street became renowned for its restaurants, shops and social scene; and was home to some of the earliest ‘retail showrooms’ in the UK.
Today, the surrounding streets boast the likes of Mulberry, Kiehl’s, Piglet, Aesop, Jo Malone, TOAST, Farrow & Ball and Devol Kitchens.
Adjoining Shires Yard is Green Street, a charming side street with newly opened independent eateries, including 18 Green Street and Green Street Butchers, joining the likes of Paxton & Whitfield and an 18th-century pub, The Old Green Tree.
The latest development and branding of Shires Yard hark back to its original name and heritage. In the 18th century, every Wednesday and Sunday, Thomas Wiltshire’s ‘Flying Horses’ left from Shires Yard on the two-and-a-half-day journey to London’s Holborn Bridge, sometimes carrying the works of the Bath artist Thomas Gainsborough.
A small shopping mall opened on this site in 1988. It later re-opened at twice its original size, incorporating a second Georgian courtyard. It is now set to enter its next phase under new ownership and direction, maintaining Milsom Street’s place as the fashionable heart of the city.’
At risk of sounding picky, it wasn’t Shires Yard, it was Wiltshire’s yard – ie, the stable yard belonging to Mr Wiltshire. He also owned the inn next door – the King’s Arms. Can’t it be called Wiltshire’s Yard?
Reversion of the name back to Shures Yard is welcomed and will give a better idea of the origins. Now all we need is for King Edward’s School to be actually finished and opened. That area will then take off.
A sign of the times that the new arrivals are all cafes/restaurants, or offer ‘hands-on masterclasses’ or ‘skin consultations’. You can’t eat over the Internet.