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Gloucestershire Business News

'The Future of Gloucester' hot topic at property forum

More than 50 guests gathered at the historic Blackfriars Priory this morning for the Gloucestershire Property Forum, hosted by property and planning consultants Evans Jones.

The breakfast seminar focused on 'The Future of Gloucester' as the city enters a new era, with the £107m The Forum development scheme to regenerate King's Quarter.

Chaired by David Jones, managing director of Evans Jones, panellists included Jon McGinty, managing director of Gloucester City Council, Esther Croft, development director at Reef Group, Ruth Dooley, chair of GFirst LEP, Dorian Wragg from Bruton Knowles and Mark Owen of Punchline-Gloucester.com

The event kicked off with a pre-recorded opener from Gloucester MP Richard Graham, giving his input on how far the city has come in its redevelopment, and the hope he has for its future.

"Small cities like Gloucester are precious and vulnerable when it comes to redevelopment," he said.

Quoting Winston Churchill "we shape buildings, they shape us", Mr Graham enforced the point that there needs to be a strong and meaningful connection between new developments and the people of the city.

"With aligned and stable politics, a strong relationship between councils, residents support and ambitious but mindful developers - anything is possible."

"The main ingredients are here for developments, but care must be taken.

"Design matters and the cities green credentials need work in order for the city to continue to encourage private investors."

The discussion from the panel opened with Jon McGinty, managing director of Gloucester City Council, explained how only a small amount of property and land in Gloucester City Centre was owned by the council.

"Despite our small amount of council-owned land and property, we work with landowners to influence development decisions and move projects forward. Such as Kings Quarter, Gloucester's Transport Hub, the continuing work on the Railway Station.

"Significant investment and development decisions have been made in recent years by council officers, most notably the purchase of Kings Walk, Eastgate Shopping Centre and St Oswalds Retail Park. All decisions we feel will benefit Gloucester in the long run."

Mr McGinty also provided an overview of the city's successful Levelling Up Bid from the government which will help fund The Fleece, The Forum and the University of Gloucestershire's city centre campus.

Ruth Dooley, chair of GFirst LEP and partner at accountancy firm Hazlewoods then explained a little about the change see had seen whilst working in Gloucestershire across the last three decades.

"30 years ago, the only reason for coming to Gloucester would have been to visit The Antiques Centre for a browse. Now 30 years on, the city has so much going for it," she said.

Mrs Dooley also touched on £17million of key GFirst LEP investment projects both in the city centre and the surrounding area, that now have a direct impact on residents and businesses across the region.

"The GFirst LEP invested £4.3 into the Quayside development, with its new state-of-the-art medical centre and student accommodation sites. £6.4m of funding was also injected into the new Transport Hub."

"We also remain the only LEP in the country to open six standalone growth hubs across all districts, aiding economic growth throughout Gloucestershire."

Next up was Esther Croft, development director at Reef Group who are spearheading the development of Gloucester's £107m The Forum scheme.

She said: "Having worked on this ground-breaking project for more than four years, we have a real passion for getting Gloucester to believe in itself."

"Seeing the final touches of Kings Square come together for the official opening, its giving us a sneak peek of how a public realm like this can become a catalyst for regeneration."

"We are all so excited for things to come."

Dorian Wragg, partner at Bruton Knowles explained how the firm began in the city in 1862 and still has its head office here. "We have 170 surveyors across the UK, and 56 based here in Gloucester. We are proud of our roots."

Mark Owen, editor of Punchline-Gloucester.com continued this support and passion for the city and how far it had come in recent years. "Gloucester has seen a fundamental sea change over the last 30 years," he said.

"Together we all continue to invest and believe in the city - that is a big part of its continued success."

He also banged the drum for shopping local for the completion of these projects. "Use local contractors, specialists and suppliers for these projects. We will all benefit from it in the long run."

The panel discussion was be followed by a general discussion on the points raised, and guests were given a chance to share common issues and questions.

When asked what the council's biggest challenge was, Mr McGinty said: "It is really important for me that we make every single one of these projects inclusive for the people of our city. It is sometimes difficult to make local residents believe that these new and exciting developments are for them. We need to aspire people to live and work in these new and redeveloped sites across the city."

Mrs Croft said: "Relationships and partnerships are key and have aided projects like The Forum to progress at such a pace with such a complicated site."

Mr Wragg from Bruton Knowles explained that the industrial market locally was the strongest he had ever seen.

"Industrial land is being valued at the same level as housing land. The demand for space outweighs the space available by a long way and that creates huge opportunity for developers. It provides a very positive picture for Gloucester," he said.

"Good quality office space within the city also in short supply, and this why the REEF project is so important.

"We are receiving lots of interest from out of county, as well as some businesses in Cheltenham looking to relocate to Gloucester. Things are really looking up."

Mrs Dooley said: "Social inclusivity and equality of opportunity is very important and a key part of these projects becoming reality. The GFirst LEP work very hard on this, by being the voice of businesses across county.

When asked about how Gloucester can stand out from Cheltenham, Mr Owen said: "The connection between Gloucester Quays and the city centre has always been a problem. I believe the new Gloucester Food Dock will help with this, but we need to further champion the waterfront and linkages between the two."

The panel were then asked what small change could be made to improve the city.

Mrs Croft said: Changing the tone and design of the lighting throughout the city centre would have a big impact on its appeal, as well as bridging that connection between the city and the docks."

Mr Wragg suggested the promotion and development of the gate streets as destinations, which would draw residents into the city.

Mr Owen finished by suggesting the addition of bunting to the gate streets. "It will brighten up the centre and boost the mood of residents."

Mrs Dooley agreed, adding that street decoration is used all year round in Tewkesbury and compliments the architecture.

Also in response to the question, Mr McGinty explained that he had written to the chancellor recently to suggest the lifting of VAT on renovation and regeneration, similar to the system that is in place for new builds. Although not successful with his plea, he still believes this would positively shift developers focus from new build to regeneration.

"We need to make more use of the neglected buildings we already have. VAT is one of the barriers to that," he said.

Closing the event, David Jones asked what the panelists were looking forward to the most.

Mrs Croft and Mrs Dooley agreed that the official opening of Kings Square would be a big milestone for the city.

"Kings Square is looking great and it is already having a positive impact for the surrounding retailers," said Mrs Croft.

Mr Wragg said: "The Forum. It will be completed two to three years ahead of Cyber Central in Cheltenham and is already attracting interest from high tech businesses to our city."

Ruth Dooley finished by saying: "Most importantly, we look forward to a time when Gloucester is a buzzing environment for both young and old - who feel safe."

The event was supported by Punchline Gloucester.

Punchline-Gloucester.com editor Mark Owen said: "For me, the missing piece of the jigsaw is the redevelopment of Gloucester Prison by City & Country developments. We have really got to push them forward to finish this very special scheme, the very last part of the original magnificent seven project."

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