New city market expected to open within a year

5 hours ago

Carmelo GarciaLocal Democracy Reporting Service

Traders are being moved from the old site (pictured) to the new site at Bells Walk

LDRS The entrance to Eastgate Market Hall - a dated indoor market at a shopping centre, where trader stalls can be seen inside. — Traders are being moved from the old site (pictured) to the new site at Bells Walk

A city's new indoor market could open by the spring of 2027 as part of a major £13.8m redevelopment project.

Gloucester City Council's Greyfriars project revolves around the regeneration of the area near the 13th Century Greyfriars Monastry, with the creation of a new market and food hall, an arts and performance venue and park and gardens planned.

Shops have been emptied so traders from the current indoor market in Eastgate Shopping Centre can move to the new site - Bell Walk - before work begins.

Leader Jeremy Hilton told the council cabinet on Wednesday the first phase is expected to be completed within a year, and the project as a whole should be finished in 2028.

E-scooters could soon be rolled out to new areas

Tributes to 'kindest boy' after sudden death

New section of A417 Missing Link project to open

Levelling up funding secured by the council's previous Conservative leadership made the project possible, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The Liberal Democrat administration is moving forward with the project, after the Labour Government confirmed the funding in 2024.

Hilton said the new events space will be created at the site of the former 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 told the cabinet meeting.

The indoor market is moving slightly further down Eastgate Shopping Centre to Bell Walk

LDRS Empty shop units with regeneration branding on them inside an indoor shopping centre, where no customers can be seen — The indoor market is moving slightly further down Eastgate Shopping Centre to Bell Walk

Building on the bowling green is planned for 2027 and, subject to planning permissions, the cultural hub would be completed the following year.

Addison's Folly will also be stripped out and partly refurbished, and the council will work with Historic England and English Heritage to make improvements to Greyfriars House and Monument, Hilton said.

He added the project will bring "new life, activities and footfall to this previously quiet quarter of the city centre".

"It will create a lot more trade there and better footfall," Hilton said.

"And will also see some of the other shop units being re-let and people moving in once the work is finished."

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.