Gloucester MP Richard Graham says the recent opening of a new men's clothing store in the city is further evidence that Gloucester is on the up.

And with several regeneration projects taking shape around the city footfall is also rising.

Gloucester rugby legend Phil Vickery opened his Raging Bull clothing brand store in Westgate Street last month taking over from former menswear retailer.

Richard Graham said: "There are always plenty of people ready to knock our city centre, even though there's been a 40 per cent drop in the number of empty shops since 2010.

"But there are also those who back Gloucester, who see the changes of the last few years and know what is coming up.

"They can see the speed at which new homes going up on Brunswick Road, Blackfriars and Worcester Street, know the footfall in the city centre is already increasing sharply and have analysed the positive implications for retailers."

The MP said the opening of the Raging Bull store was "a really positive investment in our city centre by a great sportsman and successful Glosterpreneur."

Picture: Phil Vickery (left) with Richard Graham MP