Next week sees a celebration as the Cathedral Quarter project comes to a close, which has brought much needed improvements to Westgate Street.
On Friday, 14th June, there will be a Makers Market craft stalls and entertainment, mural painting, workshops, trails and activities for families. There will be an exhibition in the Cathedral Quarter Shop and an opportunity to feed back on the project. Plus, on Saturday 15th June, there will also a chance to see Interactive Archaeology amazing 3D images of Gloucester’s past.
What has the project included?
Over the last four years, the Cathedral Quarter project has been making improvements in Westgate Street. Seventeen properties received funding for conservation and renovation works. Thirteen shop front improvements were made, re-instating traditional shop fronts and signage. Vacant buildings were brought back into use, with four new privately rented flats and high-quality student accommodation created, which are already occupied.
More recently, robust Corten steel planters with trees providing shade and water retention were installed, along with new seating to encourage appreciation of the street and its architecture. The trees bring greenery to the street and help with biodiversity.
Interpretation of the history of the street was improved, with renewed information boards, inscriptions about local people and stories on the benches and brass plaques explaining the outlines of lost buildings in the middle of the street. The existing mosaics were interpreted with brass plaques around their edges, and a Beatrix Potter Mouse trail was created, with ten brass plaques depicting mice from the much-loved story installed on the ground for families to find.
A series of events including Interactive Archaeology, We are Gathered Here, and Windows Through Time were conceived and organised with partners. The Cathedral Quarter Makers Markets are an ongoing legacy of the project organised by Gloucester Business Improvement District (BID).
This celebration event is a culmination of the project and provides an opportunity for local people to see what’s been achieved and give feedback.
Emily Gibbon, Manager at Gloucester BID says,
“The Cathedral Quarter Project has brought Westgate Street to life. The many renovations, improvements and additions have created a wonderful ambience to the street, encouraging more people and being a place to be proud of.”
Marc Waters, Trustee of Gloucester Civic Trust says
“We are delighted to see the improvements in Westgate Street and be involved in this event, which is a chance to celebrate some of the stories behind these historic buildings and this very important street in the development of the city over the last 2000 years.”
So, come on down, take a look and join in with the celebrations next weekend!
