Another attempt at Gloucester Quays

HERE we go again—'A magnificent £60million shopping and leisure development is on the way to Gloucester  transforming the city'.  Yes it's Gloucester Quays once more.

Peel Group has resurrected the failed Gloucester Quays development, that British Waterways piled £33.1 millions into—and lost.

This time however it is to be called the Quayside, with the promise of no less than 11 restaurants, a 10 screens cinema and lots of shops, on the back of the former failed development.  That we are again told will create jobs—550 of them.

Failed

The original development was also undertaken by Peel, in conjunction with British Waterways, but failed as many units remained empty, with the result that British Waterways had no option but to write off its investment.

The shops will be known as phase two Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet, with a further 55,000sq ft of extra retail space being made available.

Will be successful

Jason Pullen, Managing Director of Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet, believes that economic times and markets have changed, and that the new venture will be successful.

The emphasis this time will be as a night-time venue, with talks underway with restaurant operators  taking up the 11 new retail units adjacent to the cinema.

Difficult economic times

As to the former failure, Council Leader Councillor Paul James, pointed out that the Quays was opened in difficult economic times, hence its failure.

However, there is still the feeling that the dockside, being away from the city centre and across a busy road will never became a thriving shopping centre, as has so far proven.