New Leisure Quarter

The Peel Group have revealed new plans for the creation of a leisure quarter at Gloucester Quays and the expansion and refurbishment of the Peel Centre retail park.

The proposals would see the development of “The Quayside,” a £60 million new area that will bring to the city a dining and leisure offer not currently present in Gloucester to the City and with it 500 new jobs. Plans are in place to capitalise on the waterfront setting and location next to the Historic Docks by creating an inviting environment for eating, drinking and entertainment.

Key to the proposals would be the building of a state of the art cinema complex, up to 11 new restaurants & bars and a health and fitness centre. This includes the conversion of Cineworld's existing building into a modern retail space. This is a comprehensive set of proposals which can only be delivered as a complete package.

The new cinema will be built above the retail units on High Orchard Street with a ground floor foyer entrance opposite the existing Pizza Express and Nando’s restaurants on Merchants Road. The entrance foyer will have a licensed bar, fast food outlets and a ticketing area. An atrium will be accessible by escalators, stairs and lifts that take visitors to the first floor.

A state of the art 10 screen cinema will feature the very latest in digital sound and projection. Visitors will be able to enjoy more comfortable, wider seats that will offer the best possible viewing experience. A variety of screen sizes will allow increased choice in types of films and performances that cater to all audiences.

Discussions have been held with a number of national cinema providers and it is expected that Cineworld UK will be the cinema operator. The Cineworld located at the Peel Centre was one of the earliest multiplex cinemas in the UK back in 1990 and further investment is now needed in a new complex that harnesses the latest technology and comfortable surroundings.

Eleven new restaurants will complement the cinema providing a wide range of dining experiences appealing to families, couples and singles alike. Merchants Road and Pillar and Lucy square will be transformed into a cosmopolitan, vibrant place that will take customers from day to night in a safe but fun environment offering a variety of restaurants from family friendly food options to fine dining for all budgets and occasions.

Peel Centre Retail Park 

The existing cinema site will experience its own regeneration and has been identified as a great location for further additional retail that complements the retail offering within the City and Gloucester Quays.

As well as submitting a planning application for the new leisure quarter development, Peel intend to submit an application to convert the existing cinema building and approved extensions to it, into retail units totalling 55,000 sq ft (5,000 sq m).

The existing units will be refurbished at the same time to ensure that the high quality of the new development is reflected and carried through the retail park. A successful retail park needs to be an integral part of the Gloucester Quays offer.

The success of the Quays developments can have a positive effect on the city as a whole and it is important to continue to build on the progress that has been made and secured for the future of Gloucester.

For more information on the Peel Centre Retail Park: Click here.

 

Exhibition

The public exhibitions, which took place on 28th and 29th September 2011, asked members of the public to come and meet the team, have their say and see the images of the proposed leisure quarter.

The Peel team requested those who attended complete a questionnaire to discover their reaction to the proposed development and more than 300 questionnaires were completed.

96% of respondents have confirmed that they support the plans for a new cinema and additional restaurants at Gloucester Quays, whilst 95% support increased choice of shops at the Peel Centre.

The questions included asking people if they thought that the range and quality of restaurants needed improving of which 91% said yes and also asking about where they currently go to the cinema. 73% of respondents confirm they currently leave the City for a night out at the cinema including travelling to Cheltenham and as far as Bristol and Birmingham. 

By drawing more of those customers back into Gloucester the scheme will create 500 new jobs, in addition to the 2,000 jobs already brought to Gloucester by the development of Gloucester Quays.

Jason Pullen, Managing Director at Gloucester Quays says:

We would like to thank each member of the public who came to see us at our exhibitions. The feedback we received is invaluable and we are very pleased that an overwhelming majority of people clearly want to see our plans for “The Quayside” happen and show such enthusiasm for a new leisure quarter for the City” 

 

Highways & Traffic

The highways network at Gloucester Quays was extensively improved with the completion of Phase One, which included the construction of the new canal bridge at St Ann Way and the completion of the inner relief road.

Gloucester Quays are carrying out Highways studies to ensure that the Highways system will cope with projected increases in traffic.

The Gloucester Quays green travel plan will be extended to include the retail park and encourage visitors to use alternative means of transport to access the Quays.

 

Have Your Say

The view of the people of Gloucester matter to Gloucester Quays and we would like to hear any comments, observations or questions you may have about these proposals.

Written comments can be sent to:

Leisure Quarter Proposals
Gloucester Quays Outlet
St Ann Way
Gloucester
GL1 5SH

Or emailed to: leisureproposals@gloucesterquays.co.uk