- Gloucester’s own Business Improvement District (BID) – Overwhelmingly approved by traders in a ballot, this will bring £2.4 million of investment in supporting the city centre over the next 5 years.
- City Protection Officers – Supported by the BID, City Council and Police & Crime Commissioner, City Protection Officers will take to the city centre streets in the next few weeks. They will deal with anti-social behaviour and tackle environmental offences like dropping litter.
- More students – 300 University of Gloucestershire students will be living at Blackfriars in a year’s time, with more to follow thanks to the expansion of the University and Hartpury College.
- Project Pilgrim – Already making good progress, this multi-million pound Heritage Lottery Fund scheme will improve the setting and the facilities at the Cathedral, our biggest asset.
- Kings Walk – Now bought by a partnership of Reef Estates and the City Council, much-needed investment in this rather tired shopping centre will happen very soon.
- Former BHS store – Standing empty after the department store went bust, rumours have it that this prominent unit will be filled by a big name (or two) following a major refurbishment, giving Eastgate Street a major boost. Annoucements are apparently due very shortly
- Former Kwik Save site – This long-term derelict site bordering Black Dog Way, Northgate Street and Worcester Street is being developed for 90 new homes, bringing more people to live in the city centre.
- New bus station – We’ve been waiting for it long enough, but the new bus station will be finished next August. Even with some enforced design changes, it will be a million times better than what we’ve been used to.
- Jumpin Jaks – This former nightclub on Brunswick Road has been derelict for well over a decade. Work has now started to reopen it as a bar/restaurant/club.
- Digital High Street – Gloucester has positioned itself at the forefront of the digital high street revolution. This won’t mean much to a lot of people at the moment, but long-term it’s vital for the city centre’s prosperity. Further announcements in October
Jason I J Smith
Place, Growth, Investment, Marketing
Jason I J Smith 