Glos Vegas: We want Eastgate Street pedestrianised until 5am
NIGHTLIFE in Gloucester is changing. Huge investment is being pumped into the after-dark economy to make the strip of bars and clubs a more attractive destination for late night drinkers.
Eastgate Street is the city hub of evening entertainment, an area affectionately known by punters as 'Glos Vegas'.
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Eastgate Street
When pubs close, people head for 'the strip', home to venues Fever, TNT, Zest, Butlers and Liquid.
Fever manager Simon Ellis said it is a tough time for night clubs. "Economic conditions will always dictate people's choice about how and where they spend their money to have a good time," he said.
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"It is hard for everyone at the moment.
"We offer a safe environment for people to enjoy themselves and try to give them as good a time as possible."
Although part of Eastgate Street is pedestrianised, club and bar managers are calling for an extended area to be cut-off from traffic from 10pm until 5am. They said a ban on cars and better lighting would improve safety making the area more appealing.
Liquid has invested more than £20,000 in a refurbishment to maintain its status as one of the city's premier venues.
Sid Kostomin, deputy manager there, said: "If more big name brands took the gamble and opened up in Gloucester, that would help other existing businesses.
"We could do with a Vodka Revolution or something similar, but variety is important. The docks has seen big investment, but it is more suited to a family environment."
Councillor Tarren Randle, (C, Barnwood) heads up Gloucester's evening economy action group, a panel of business owners and bar managers with a mutual interest in improving city night life.
"I have built up a strong bond with a lot of the pubs, clubs and restaurants owners over the past year, and we are all looking to the future," she said.
"Making Gloucester's night time economy a safe and diverse area for all ages to come out and enjoy is our main priority."
Steve Donnelly took charge of Gloucester's oldest pub, the New Inn, earlier this year. He hopes to attract more people into the historic venue by offering alternative entertainment nights.
"Our figures have picked up since we moved in, that is encouraging," he said. "It has taken a lot of work and we have cut back on staff but we are at full capacity most Friday and Saturday nights in the hotel."
The pub is holding its first night specifically aimed at over-30s on Friday, October 26, a tarts and tramps fancy dress theme with live music. If successful, it could become a monthly event.
An online survey has been launched to ask what the over 30s want to see in Gloucester.
Fill in the online Eastgate Street survey
Comments
by TimMessanger
Sunday, November 04 2012, 8:52PM
“Pity the sign says no motor vehicles Friday and Saturday 10pm - 5am so at 12pm on a Saturday night the road opens up again. Should read Friday and Saturday 10pm - 12pm, Saturday and Sunday 12pm - 5am”
by honslknjklyt
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:09PM
“Why is their a cheltenham racecourse advert covering up comments!
It certainly is a dump. The last time I went out in town, it was after 9pm and that beggar/big issue seller who is usually outside marks, was stood by the cross making eye contact with as many "pleasant drunks who were feeling kind" and asking them for money. Several were happy to give.
Getting rid of him would do something to tidy the town up, giving into the drunks who can't responsibily share the town with traffic, then they should be arrested for being a danger to themselves. Drunk and disorderly.”
by GlosYap2
Thursday, October 11 2012, 7:55PM
“Odd comparison. A casino might make "Glos Vegas" more of a worthwhile place to visit...”
by Haw_Haw
Thursday, October 11 2012, 7:46PM
“Right then clever Dicks...
What about the buses ?
A one way street is the best you can hope for...”
by windy_pants
Thursday, October 11 2012, 5:36PM
“If the clubs want it, they pay for it.”
by foamcow
Thursday, October 11 2012, 5:22PM
“Las Vegas is also a dump. There's just a lot of money invested in that particular dump to make it shiny.”
by gunnersaurus1
Thursday, October 11 2012, 4:00PM
“bring back the cars why give in to drunks ect better still make it all vanish its a dump anyway and how dare people compare it with las vegas i would rather walk down the street there and ive been there four times no trouble at all”
by SELINA30
Thursday, October 11 2012, 2:14PM
“What happens in Glos/Vegas stays in Glos/Vegas......like the rubbish.”
by system64
Thursday, October 11 2012, 10:03AM
“Fair enough :)
In all honesty the area looks a complete and utter mess anyway. It would help the nightlife ( and daylife ) if the road / pavements were sorted out a bit.
I personally think it would be good if that road was turned into a complete one way system.
Remove one lane and extend the path outside the shops and bars into where the road used to be making it a much bigger area.
This way you could keep the cars there at night but also making it many many many times safer for drunken clubbers.
Yes yes yes, we know that all this drink and partying makes the place look messy etc etc however before we get the red arrow brigade out, You need to realize that this is part of City life.
I do think however that it may be a little counter productive making that area too appealing as the new kings area and the new phases to the quays are really the better targets for boosting night life.
Trying to make 3 separate areas all busy and appealing in a smallish city like Gloucester is quite a large task.
Then again, If done properly.. It could be very very beneficial to the city.”
by HuckiePhil
Thursday, October 11 2012, 9:55AM
“System64 - yes, I have, but my post was meant to imply incredulity at the term. I mean, come on, look at the picture above, and even if you have never been to Las Vegas, seen a film or picture, can you possibly imagine anywhere less deserving of the comparison?
Let's just face facts - Eastgate Street running into Barton Street is a dump, and when the rioters had a go at it a while back they did £thousands (if not tens of £thousands) worth of improvements.”