By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Gloucester’s new indoor market could open by Spring next year according to city chiefs as they issue an update on the major redevelopment at Eastgate Shopping Centre.
These plans are part of Gloucester City Council’s Greyfriars project which will see the market relocate within the Eastgate Centre to Bell Walk.
The project also aims to create a vibrant new arts and performance venue with the capacity for up to 450 seated or 600 standing spectators.
Addison’s Folly will also be stripped out and partly refurbished and the council will work with Historic England and English Heritage to improve the external appearance and setting of Greyfriars House and Monument.
The scheme also aims to breathe new life into the surrounding public realm by providing a new community led use for the former bowls club alongside much needed open space on the former bowling green.
The project was made possible thanks to the council’s previous Conservative leadership securing levelling up funding for the scheme with help in lobbying from then MP Richard Graham.
Now the Liberal Democrat administration at North Warehouse is moving forward with the project which saw its funding confirmed by the Labour Government in 2024.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Liam Harries (Quedgeley Severn Vale) asked for an update on progress with the major redevelopment scheme at yesterday’s cabinet meeting (June 10).
Council leader Jeremy Hilton (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) said the aim is to relocate the indoor market by Spring next year and work is underway to gut out the former shop units which will house the new market.
Building on the bowling green is envisaged that same year. And, subject to planning permissions, the cultural hub would be completed the following year.
“The scheme builds on the regeneration works already carried out at Kings Square, the Forum, the Hotel Indigo and a multi-storey car park,” he said.
“It focusses on retail and cultural activities breathing new life into the Eastgate Market and providing much needed cultural and entertainment facilities to Gloucester which will be set within revitalised public realm and much needed works to Greyfriars House and Monument.
“Bringing new life, activities and footfall to this previously quiet quarter of the city centre.”
Cllr Hilton also told Gloucestershire Live that the plan is that traders from the current indoor market will have moved to the new site before work begins there.
“People will have noticed that the shops have closed, we’ve emptied the shops,” he said.
“At the moment, they have been gutted. And once we have done that we will be looking to create a new events space in the old indoor market.
“Then we will be carrying out improvements and renovations to the Greyfriars House and Monument, and we will be looking to create a new public open space at the bowls green.”
He added that the completion of the project “would be the opening of the events space in 2028″.
“And before that, a year earlier, we should see the opening of the new indoor market.
“It will create a lot more trade there and better footfall. And will also see some of the other shop units being re-let and people moving in once the work is finished.”