King’s Quarter Development – a major step nearer

A major new city centre development for Gloucester – with features to match those in Bath and Exeter – is now a step nearer.

The scheme is predicted to help shoot the city 20 places up the national retail rankings.

Now the City Council’s Cabinet is being asked to approve a decision to enter into detailed contractual arrangements with Stanhope plc which would see it become the ‘developer partner’ for the King’s Quarter regeneration scheme.

Council officers and Stanhope have been working together for the last six months under an ‘exclusivity arrangement’ which has seen the developers come forward with a concept for the scheme.

It would include at least 200,000 sq feet of new space to include five big stores and 21 smaller shops.

The scheme includes a brand new bus station – modelled on recent examples including the one in Bath and a totally refurbished Bruton Way car park.

The ‘streets and spaces’ concept would take its lead from the highly acclaimed Princesshay area in Exeter.

The company has a ‘target list’ of tenants for the shops and stores and almost all  would  be ‘new to Gloucester.’ The development would see the city rise ‘significantly’ up the retail index of shopping and leisure destinations.

Council Leader, Paul James, commented: “ This will be another major step forward in the regeneration plans for the city. King’s Quarter – principally King’s Square and the bus station -  is all about ‘step change’ in the performance of the city centre. Benefits will extend way beyond the scheme itself and will considerably boost existing shops and businesses. There is still a very long way to go but this is a significant landmark.

“ The concept designs demonstrate that there is huge potential for this  scheme which will be done to the highest architectural standards. Developments of this magnitude take time to pull together and we will all have to show a degree of patience.

“ But it is hugely exciting and local residents will have a lot of opportunities to get involved and have their say on the ideas.”

The Cabinet meets to take its decision on July 6th which  if approved will see the company start to undertake a full public consultation programme .