Gloucester’s Kings Quarter regeneration takes further strides forward

Gloucester City Council’s planning committee approved an application to start major improvements to Kings Walk shopping centre, which will see £12m invested in creating a vibrant, connected retail destination with improved parking and public facilities.

Reef Group, the developers leading the Kings Walk project, will start work on the improvements next spring.

Gloucester City Council leader, Cllr Paul James, said: “People can see that the bold and ambitious plans we have set for this part of the city are turning into reality. This is testament to the confidence partners have shown in our shared vision.

“Our decision to approve the plans for Kings Walk and move forward with important work at Kings Square will see the area transformed in a way that attracts investment and brings visitors and increased vitality to our city.

“I know people in Gloucester want these improvements and welcome this latest step along the road to enable them to happen.”

Improvements to Kings Walk shopping centre will include:

• Remodelled shop fronts and building facades along Eastgate Street, Kings Walk and Kings Square.
• A new atrium roof to Kings Walk.
• Bold new shop fronts along the entrance to Clarence Street.
• Removing a redundant footbridge crossing Eastgate Street and improved shop fronts on either side of this structure. A new entrance will be provided where Eastgate Street joins Kings Walk.
• Improved car parking and new public toilets on the first floor of the centre at Kings Walk.

Stewart Deering, Chief Executive at Reef Group, said: “These improvements will bring huge benefits to Gloucester by creating a vibrant, modern destination for people to visit and spend quality time.

“This is an important part of wider plans to regenerate Kings Quarter, which have been extensively consulted on in recent months.

“People are excited by the plans for Kings Quarter and we share this view. We’re looking forward to starting work on this phase of the project.”