Public views sought on Kings Quarter transformation

The redevelopment is set to revitalise the area that includes the old bus station, Grosvenor House, Bentinck House, Kings House, Bruton Way Car Park and Market Parade.

The plans which go out for public consultation today, include a replacement multi-storey car park, new commercial space and offices as well as room for a hotel.

In total the scheme could provide:

• Over 2500m2 of commercial space,
• Over 400 new parking spaces including 23 disabled spaces
• Nearly 2000m2 of creative workspace as well as space for a new hotel
• Over 4000 m2 of new office space and up to 140 new 1, 2 and 3 bed homes.

Kings House will become a new creative hub supporting the start-up and growth of creative businesses. The move aims to provide support to the creative industries in Gloucester and make it easier for younger people to find employment in this growing sector. 

A food court, on the ground floor of Kings House is also planned, particularly aimed at local and start-up food producers.

Kings Square will stay as an open space but will be a more welcoming and visitor friendly area that can hold a wide range of events and performances.  It will include modern and contemporary way finding signs and a water feature, in response to support in earlier public consultations.  The scheme also includes a big screen.

There will also be at least two artistic commissions for public art and seating areas. And also included within the planning application will be the initial proposals for Market Parade and the new ‘Cathedral View’ pedestrianised street linking Kings Square and the railway station as well as a refurbished and repurposed Kings House.

The area is one of the main gateways to the city so it is intended that it reflects the changing face of Gloucester, which is currently undergoing a multi-million pound regeneration.

The Kings Quarter Regeneration scheme will be complemented by the new bus station and a significantly improved railway station, including the subway to Great Western Road. The investment in Kings Walk Shopping Centre will also boost the overall economic impact of the planned improvements.

The scheme reflects Gloucester’s ambitions which could include a bid for City of Culture 2025. The new square is being designed so that it is suitable for hosting world class events and performances and is available to cultural organisations such as the Guildhall to extend their events space. 

It is intended that work will begin in Autumn 2019.

Councillor Paul James, Leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “I hope the public will agree that these are bold and ambitious plans that will transform a currently run-down area of the city centre as well as giving a much better arrival point for those travelling by bus and train, providing a vastly improved first impression of Gloucester. 

“The City Council took back control of this scheme to take it forward so we no longer were relying on others.  We decided to move away from a retail-led scheme to more of a mixed-used gateway scheme that will help to strengthen the core of the city centre by bringing in new uses.  Events have proved this was the right approach.” 

“I am particularly excited that we are finally going to deliver a refurbished Kings Square after so many years of waiting.  I know it is something people in Gloucester really want to see happen.”

A staffed public consultation will be held in the city centre from today until Saturday.

September 27 - Gloucestershire College - 11am – 3pm

September 28 - Eastgate shopping centre - 10.30am to 4pm 

September 29 - Kings Walk shopping centre - 10.30am to 4pm 

The plans will then go on display in the former Furniture Recycling Project shop at Grosvenor House, Market Parade for further comments.

For more information visit www.kingssquare.info a video is available at http://bit.ly/2NMfmKc