WINCHESTER — A decade after police raided a cannabis factory on Jewry Street, the same 19th-century building now hums with the sizzle of steak on grills and the clatter of fryers. Helch Market, the city’s newest food hall, opens its doors Friday following a £1.8 million overhaul that erased the site’s notoriety and reshaped its identity.
Key Points
- ✅ Former Vodka Nightclub and cannabis factory transformed into food hall
- ⚡ Opens to public May 22 with ribbon-cutting at 12 p.m.
- 💡 Seven street-food vendors including brunch-focused options
The venue’s metamorphosis began in spring 2023, when developers secured planning permission to convert the two-storey brick structure—a building long associated with crime and neglect—into a modern food and social destination. Helch Market’s owners, a Hampshire-based hospitality group, declined to name the architects but confirmed the design preserved original Victorian façade while gutting the interior to create an airy, industrial-chic hall.
Thursday night’s preview drew over 300 residents, many of whom had watched the site’s decline and rebirth unfold. Among them was local councillor Priya Mehta, who called the project “a testament to what happens when derelict spaces meet bold investment.” Mehta, who represents the St. Thomas ward, said she’d campaigned for years to see the site repurposed.
- Steak & Grill Co — Dry-aged cuts and hand-cut fries
- Taco Lab — House-smoked meats and nixtamalised corn tortillas
- Brunch Cartel — Weekend-only open-faced sandwiches and Vietnamese-style coffee
- Birdhouse — Nashville hot chicken and honey drizzle
- Pasta Pirate — Fresh egg pasta with seasonal fillings
- Vegan Bites — Plant-based bowls and jackfruit tacos
- Sweet Tooth — Artisan doughnuts and churro waffles
| Aspect | Before 2023 | After May 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Occupancy | Empty since 2012 police raid | 7 vendors, 300+ capacity |
| Lighting | Broken windows, florescent tubes | Natural light via skylights, LED strips |
| Sound | Silent after 6 p.m. | Live DJ sets on weekends |
Security footage from 2012 shows officers in riot gear exiting the building carrying black bin bags—reportedly cannabis plants—after a raid linked to organised crime. The property changed hands three times before planning permission was granted, with Hampshire Constabulary confirming no active investigations remain tied to the site.
💡 Pro Tip
Visit on a Saturday morning before noon to avoid the brunch rush. The soft light through the skylights makes the hall feel like a cathedral of food—perfect for photos.
Helch Market will operate daily from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., with extended hours on weekends. A £5 cover charge applies after 6 p.m. Friday and Saturday for patrons who arrive after 6 p.m. to manage crowd flow and maintain service quality. The charge funds live entertainment and staff wages during peak hours.
📋 By The Numbers
- £1.8m — Total renovation cost funded by private investors
- 18 months — Duration from planning approval to opening
- 24 — Number of full-time jobs created
The Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust has praised the project for removing a long-standing eyesore, though local conservationists note the building’s original Victorian brickwork now sits behind modern insulation—a trade-off between heritage and energy efficiency. The trust’s head of urban projects, Tom Wallace, called it “a pragmatic win for Winchester’s skyline.”