Officially opening on Friday 12 July 2024, A Rule of Tum's newest venue, Dr Foster, invited SoGlos for an exclusive look inside before the first customers come through the doors.
Formerly known as Dr Foster's Waterside Bar & Restaurant, the iconic pub on Gloucester Docks has had a complete transformation inside and out, giving it a new lease of life in A Rule of Tum's signature style, restoring the historic Kimberley Warehouse to its former glory.
The acclaimed restaurant group owns a collective of award-winning brands just across the border in Hereford and Worcester, including Maneki Ramen, The Bookshop, Burger Shop and Leaven Pizza — with Dr Foster not only being the team's first Gloucestershire venue, but the largest of them all, with a total of 350 covers.
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The updated Dr Foster interior is comfortingly familiar to pubs throughout the Cotswolds, while having its own distinctive look and feel.
The exterior and conservatory colour palette features a shade of green often seen on the painted exteriors in Cotswold villages, while the interior decor incorporates exposed brick, burnt orange and rich green hued velvet and plenty of lush foliage, along with upcycled furniture — including old church pews! — sourced from antique markets for a unique, laid-back style.
With the impressive renovation taking just 10 weeks and costing around £350,000, everything from lighting and wall art to the bathrooms have been carefully and creatively considered to optimise the environment, establishing a dining hub suitable for any occasion — whether you're popping in for a coffee after walking the dog; treating your partner to a romantic waterside meal; indulging in a family brunch; or tucking into a Christmas feast with colleagues.
As a food-led business, the gastropub offers reservations upstairs, operating with table service; while downstairs, presenting 100 covers, functions in a more 'standard pub style', with guests choosing whichever table is available and ordering at the bar.
Expect a diverse menu featuring brunch dishes like Foster’s Baked Eggs with yogurt, nduja sausage crumb, dukkah, and sourdough; and tempting evening meals like the classic chicken, thyme and leek pie, served with A Rule of Tum’s famous buttered mash potato; as well as its locally sourced, Hereford 'over coal' steaks, cooked in a bertha oven.
Veggies and vegans won't miss out either, with menu items such as the ogleshield and onion pie, and coal-roasted harissa aubergine with pomegranate and chimichurri. Gluten-free alternatives are also available for most of Dr Foster’s dishes.
Describing themselves as catalysts for regeneration, Dorian Kirk from A Rule of Tum commented: 'We thrive on breathing new life into spaces rich with character, focusing on areas on the cusp of regeneration. A journey similar with the transformation of Worcester’s Arches with our restaurant Burger Shop, where we witnessed first-hand the incredible impact a well-loved establishment can have on a community.
'Now, with our new location in Gloucester Docks' historic Kimberley Warehouse, we're not just opening a venue—we're looking to ignite a spark showcasing Gloucester as a foodie destination.
'We're passionate about creating a vibrant hub that inspires others to invest and grow, fostering a ripple effect of renewal and excitement throughout the area. Our commitment to quality and dedication, hallmarks of all our brands and will be the cornerstone of this new venture, bringing new life into the great British pub.
'We can’t wait to see Dr Foster serve as a catalyst for positive change, encouraging a wave of new businesses to join us in revitalising Gloucester.'
For more information or to book, visit thepublican.pub.
