Eastgate Shopping centre and market revamp is a go as Labour confirms £11m boost for council

By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter

Ambitious plans to transform Gloucester city centre are a step closer to fruition as the Government confirms it will provide £11 million of levelling up funding.

The bold new vision for a vibrant garden quarter in the heart of the city proposed by Gloucester City Council, can now go ahead following the budget announcement that Gloucester will receive £11 million for it.

The new Greyfriars Quarter will mean a complete revamp of the area around the Eastgate Shopping Centre complementing the massive multi-million-pound regeneration currently taking place right across the city.

The proposals will see part of the shopping centre including the market hall, given an overhaul and repurposed with spaces set aside for community activities, a new market and foodhall, as well as a park and gardens, all set within the grounds of the 13th century Greyfriars monastery.

The market hall will be relocated to another part of the shopping centre, with a contemporary new design that would see it open up onto a landscaped courtyard garden.

While the current market would be refurbished to house a multi-purpose performance space for dance, music, fitness, community and leisure events.
The plan also includes a proposal to create serviced apartments, providing a unique place to stay and the creation of flexible workspaces within the refurbished 18th century house adjacent to the friary.

The exciting new scheme supported would also see the construction of a new urban park, outdoor gym, play area and cycle hub.

Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said: “We’re delighted that this exciting scheme can now start gaining some momentum.

This investment will allow us to begin regenerating that part of the city centre to bring it in line with the other areas that have already received massive investment.

“City centres are evolving into spaces where people not only work and shop but choose to live and enjoy their leisure time.

“It’s essential for Gloucester to keep pace with these changes. This is another piece in the jigsaw along with The Forum, Kings Square, and the Food Dock all supported by the council, ensuring that Gloucester remains a lively and inviting place to visit.”

City MP Alex McIntyre said the announcement was fantastic news for Gloucester and it signals the Labour Government’s commitment to ensuring investment is delivered in a meaningful way across the country.

“It’s unfortunate that we had to wait until the Budget for this, however the previous Conservative government had not actually set aside funding for this project, or any of the other ‘Levelling

Up’ projects across the country, despite promising they could go ahead. As such this Labour government had to make the decision to allocate this funding as part of the wider Budget.

“I’m thrilled that the Labour government has chosen to invest in Gloucester. In particular it will make a real difference for the traders in the Eastgate Market, many of whom have been in business for a long time. It’s great to see the government supporting independent businesses and their livelihoods in this way.”

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