GLOUCESTER | Full Summary of Projects

[GlosN]

A planning application has been made to Gloucester City Council for a microbrewery at an existing Waterways Museum workshop at Llanthony Warehouse in the Docks.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co....ail/story.html

What a great idea!

[GlosN]

Pilot, a shop which specialises in teen and young ladieswear, opened at the Quays on Saturday 2nd July.

I can't believe that there are not more restaurant chains looking at investing in the Quays; as Pizza Express and Nandos are always jam packed when I'm there.

[Erebus555]

From Egi yesterday:

Stanhope goes ahead in Gloucester
Annabel Dixon 07/07/2011 12:45

Developer Stanhope was approved as Gloucester council's partner for the £70m redevelopment of the city's King's Quarter scheme at a cabinet meeting last night.

Council officers and Stanhope have been working together for the past six months to come forward with a concept for King's Quarter - principally King's Square and the bus station.

The 200,000 sq ft scheme (pictured), which has an investment value of £60m, will comprise five big stores and 21 smaller shops and a bus station.

Stanhope will now start to undertake a full public consultation programme. Work is anticipated to start on site in 2014, and the scheme could take two to three years to be fully completed.

Martyn Chase, director at Stanhope, said: "We are very pleased to be selected as Gloucester's development partner. The city is underperforming in terms of its retail offer, and we are confident our scheme will attract new retailers and more shoppers."

[old spot]

Kimbrose Sculpture on the way up - taken about 10 mins ago.

[gntzpope]

Originally Posted by GlosN

Pilot, a shop which specialises in teen and young ladieswear, opened at the Quays on Saturday 2nd July.

I can't believe that there are not more restaurant chains looking at investing in the Quays; as Pizza Express and Nandos are always jam packed when I'm there.

Totally agree, GlosN. Always busy, something is sure to be announced soon!

Tefal brand have opened a outlet store today, Double TWO are set to open tomorrow and also ROOM look to be setting up a store too. What with Pilot opening earlier this month makes four new stores within as many weeks, long may it continue with news of restaurant/bar too!!

Anyone heard more of the plans for the new Cinema, recently heard Kings Quarter developer speaking on BBC Glos and he mentioned that Peel still had big plans but when??!? (in relation to a smaller possible one within there plans).

[kelbyuk]

Was photo of sculpture but deleted by twitpic.

[gntzpope]

There's talk of a multiplex cinema going above the Gloucester Quays outdoor stores block (White Company, LK Bennett etc.). These stores are rumoured to be moving into the main mall (phase 1) to allow construction to commence but then I have not seen any planning permissions sort for this. Is there enough room up there for a multiplex, can see one screen but more!?! I need more information!! This will allow the existing Cineworld to be demolished sometime in 2013 once this new one opens, it is unclear if it's still to be a Cineworld.

This sounds like a great idea. If Peel can see this through I can see potentially being a great move. One it will attract lots more people to stay longer, hence more restaurants and bars to open up quicker and would be very similar to that of Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth which looks to be doing great business and attracting new retailers.
Sorry to sound vague but is all I have. If anyone knows more, 'ATTERS72' please let us know as you've been spot on so far!

[davejack82]

that sounds like an amazing idea, would reduce the amount of shops they'd need to fill and attract loads of restaurants. makes perfect sense as well, why expand the current cinema when you've invested half a billion over the road which is currently under used. Go for it i say...

the council are looking to save some money by upgrading the Quay whilst Central Networks lays some new cables. sounds like a another great idea if you ask me. the river in Gloucester is a wasted asset and would be another link between the docks and the cathedral..

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england...shire-14322752

and more from thisisgloucestershire, ignore the same old crap that some people choose to write on the comments bit. people need to encourage change and work with the councils and not criticise past mistakes or inabilities.

http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co....ail/story.html

[pharmj]

Replacement Tesco St Oswolds (£25million)

Tesco have submitted plans for a massive new £25million store to replace the current store at St Oswolds Retail Park. The new Tesco Extra would be 3 times the size of the current store and be built behind the one currently there. This would then be demolished once the new one is ready.

HOPES of a new £25million Tesco in Gloucester have moved a step forward.

Bosses at the supermarket giant have formally submitted a planning application to the city council.

As The Citizen revealed in May, the new store will create 160 new jobs and will be more than three times as big as the current supermarket.

But now the pictures show just how big the new store will be – and just how many parking spaces will be included on the site.

The store will come with a bumper car park – space for 990 vehicles. It currently has 540 spaces.

Under the plans, Tesco wants to build the new store, 19,245 square metres in size, behind the current one.

Once the new store is ready to open, they plan to bulldoze the existing store, which is 5,863 square metres in size.

Under the plans, there would be two retail units on the site, available for rent by local traders.

The application is expected to be considered by the authority's planning committee by September, and work could start as soon as November.

The store's bid to expand has led to fears it could harm trade in the city centre.

Barry Leach, from the Gloucester City Centre Community Partnership (GCCCP), said: "We want to be totally convinced the impact on the rest of the city centre will be minimised before we back this.

"We have not seen the detail of the application yet but we want those assurances. The extra jobs it will create is good news, but if it takes jobs away by harming trade in the city it defeats the object."

Councillor Paul James, leader of the city council, said: "We need to look very closely at it, and a key issue for the planning committee will be what impact it could have.

"We want to ensure the retail park offer improves and this is part of that.

"That part of Gloucester has a strong future."

The application focuses considerably on the economic boost the store would have.

It states that the "economic benefits this estimated £25 million investment in Gloucester can bring to the area are significant."

Gloucester Citizen 29/7/11

Asda to open new 25,000 sq ft store in Kingsway.

So far as I can tell, this will be a sucess given the number of new houses both here and in Hunts Grove (will be in total about 6000 i think once completed). Seems odd given that the Tesco in Quedgley has just been expanded but I guess there is room for them to compete with each other.

A NEW supermarket is on the way to a Gloucester estate – creating 230 jobs.

Asda is in exclusive negotiations to open a brand new store at Kingsway.

It is expected to be 25,000 sq ft in size and will sit on 4.5 acres of currently derelict land.

The news is a major boost for people in the area, who have complained about a lack of facilities.

Landowners Robert Hitchins and Asda have not officially confirmed which supermarket chain will be taking on the site, sources close to the talks say the deal is all but signed.

Both the store and developer are planning to start consultations with the public from September before handing in a planning application to the city council. People who live nearby have welcomed it.

Tracey Cooksey, 39, who lives opposite the plot, said: "It would be great news for everyone. We are desperate for a supermarket."

Ben Hunt, 41, of Woodvale Road, a property surveyor, said: "I've tried to move from here twice because I don't think there's enough amenities – a supermarket would make a massive difference."

There are 1,700 homes on the estate, with planning permission in place to take it up to 3,300.

Every month new residents are taking up new properties, making the area a potentially lucrative one for a food store.

At the moment residents in Kingsway have to travel to neighbouring Quedgeley to visit Tesco.

Councillor Barry Kirby, chairman of Kingsway Residents Association and who lives in Thatcham Avenue, said: "This is a very good thing for Kingsway.

"We live on the other side of the A38 and it's a round trip of around two-and-a-half miles to the Tesco in Quedgeley. I'm really pleased."

The 340-acre site, part of the former RAF Quedgeley airfield, has planning permission for a mixed use scheme of homes, a 40-acre employment site, community and leisure facilities, retail, and a primary school.

Developers Quedgeley Urban Village created the homes, while Robert Hitchins has almost completed a small shopping centre including a Tesco Express, hairdresser, chemist, cafe, estate agents and a Marston's pub.

A spokesman said: "We are aware that thousands of homes have been built in Kingsway and that residents have repeatedly said they'd like more services and choice."

The store could be in place by early next year if all goes to plan.

Gloucester Citizen 28/7/11

[pharmj]

Work has started on the old Woolworths unit. Heard lots of noise and they have put plastic up. Looks as though it is the asbestos removal. Should be good once M&S are in there.

Noticed that Jessops have taken a large unit in Kings Walk on the corner next to HMV.

Former Adams has become a Savers store. Not a great store but at least the unit is active.

Debenhams refit is fully underway with new escalators now in and new flooring going accross the the ground floor. New cosmetics counters and a total update so the store is looking good. New signage has freshened up the outside and I especially like the large 'DEBENHAMS at the top of the building facing Kings Square.

Barclays Bank on Southgate Street look like they having a pretty major refit as well.

Wandering down there, the new Kimbrose square and public realm wor looks fantastic. Totally transforms that end of town. I know the shared space scheme has been controversial but I think the main people causing issues are drivers going too fast. People disobeying it is no reason to scrap it. I like the visual impact it has had. Will work well with the downgrading of the Quay to a similar look.

Gloucester Quays was fairly quiet it has to be said considering we are now in the summer holidays, I think its custom must be fairly up and down. I hope we see some more new stores as the empty units are a little depressing after so long.

I think Peel could do a lot more to advertise the centre in the local media/paper/TV. We get lots of adverts for Swindon Designer Outlet or Cabot Circus.

Tesco Express on Station Street at the bus station is taking shape having swallowed up 5 units of that parade of shops. Looks to open in August.

Work has also started in earnest on the old Courts building on Bruton Way. Roof has been removed and the whole building gutted. Should be a vast improvement to the area having that done. The Limbrick Architects have done a fantastic job with the Carriage building (old Dunelm).

[davejack82]

http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/artic...-in-gloucester

am i the only one that wished, if they were going to put another supermarket on the land less than 1/2 a mile from asda and a mile or so from Sainsbury that it should of been a Waitrose....

[pharmj]

I think this is such a wasted opportunity. With Tesco they are replacing an existing store and with the new estates I can see Asda would be used, but this Morrisons i feel is a total waste of time.

With Asda right alongside, sainsburys at one end of eastern avenue and morrisons in Abbeymead/dale, I cannot see the use of this.

The original ideas put forward for a new university campus and/or a Science park would be far far better and work well alongside the hospital and offices already there. Some high quality residential and good landscaping would complete it.

THere are a lot of people who still want a station here.

I think the council are settling too easy by letting this happen.

[GlosN]

Originally Posted by davejack82

http://www.retailgazette.co.uk/artic...-in-gloucester

am i the only one that wished, if they were going to put another supermarket on the land less than 1/2 a mile from asda and a mile or so from Sainsbury that it should of been a Waitrose....

There was some rumour on TIG last month about a Waitrose opening at the Quays (in the comments relating to yet more Tescos in Gloucester). However, I couldn't find the quoted evidence on the Waitrose website. http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co....omment-2385465

[davejack82]

http://www.glcstrplnng11.co.uk/AWMWe...6314321250.PDF

Railway triangle masterplan

[pharmj]

Still think its a massive shame they have even submitted this. Supermarkets are the bain of Gloucester at the moment.

A real shame to hear that Currys in town has suddenly closed. Quite a sizeable unit so hopefully will not be empty for too long. Renovation still ongoing for new M&S but not heard anything about what will be going in the old M&S stores on Southgate and Northgate streets.

[pharmj]

In some other news;

Down at Kingsway the local centre is currently under construction and the first tenents that I know about are Tesco Express (surprise surprise) and Badham Pharmacy.

Badhams have also opened in the first unit of the new Whittle Centre down in Brockworth.

[gntzpope]

Also, a 'Hawkin's Bazaar' have now opened a store in the ex-Jewel Nation unit in Kings Walk.

Debenhams is looking great with a completion within the first week of Sep, official re-opening a week later.

Gloucester Quays has appointed new leasing agents Chameleon Retail who also lease for the very successful Gunwharf Quays in Portsmouth:

'CRC are appointed as leasing agents on the Mixed Use centre which forms the heart of the Gloucester Quays redevelopment.'

http://crc-retail.com/index.php?opti...=79&Itemid=113

"The scheme includes an Outlet Centre which opened in May 2009, a leisure plaza which will feature a new 10 screen multi-screen cinema, there are plans for numerous waterfront bars and restaurants which also link to an inner courtyard and the existing retail centre."

Cinema plans still ongoing!

Don't forget its the Gloucester Tall Ships Festival this weekend, hope you can all make it and show that Gloucester can make a success of it all! Spread the word if you can!

[GlosN]

Disappointed to notice that the Bearlands Restaurant seems to have ceased trading; a little while ago judging by the weeds. Hopefully, it will soon reopen under new management. We lost count of the number of times we tried to book a table without finding anyone at the other end of the phone, or risked turning up within opening hours (as stated on the door) only to find everything dark with the gate locked. However, on nights when the moon lined up with the stars and the place was actually trading, it offered really good food at a fair price in a quirky subterranean setting. I often wanted to arrange business lunches there (the Americans and Japanese would have filled up their SD cards) but, on reconnaissance trips, it was always closed despite lunches advertised in a flyer.

Random opening arrangements remind me of the 'Inn at the Docks' where they served cheap but decent draught beer (albeit within an internally renovated but still truly horrible building) but you never knew whether they would still be open if you turned up at 9pm! The last straw was being told that they were only going to serve bottled beer (that I could buy at Sainsbury's for a fraction of the cost and not be subjected to nasty seventy's architecture). Do the owners realise why it is now only the car park that is used!

It can be difficult at times to spend money in Gloucester (maybe I'm just being fussy expecting restaurants to serve food and pubs to serve beer). However, my faith returned yesterday with the lovely atmosphere from the Farmers Market in the Quays all the way through to the Gloucester Day activities in the city centre; cars even stopping for pedestrians in the shared space en-route. Thank you to everyone involved!

[pharmj]

Application has gone in for a change of use of one of the units from retail to a gym. Kiss Gyms are possibly going to open there.

[gntzpope]

Webbs of Wyncbold outlet set to return to Gloucester Quays in October.