Multi-million pound cinema refurbishment proposed for Gloucester
THE city's Cineworld cinema is set for a multi-million pound revamp.
The impressive £9 million plans for a multiplex would create up to 30 jobs and almost double the cinema site in size.
If the plans are approved four new screens would be added to the existing six and four units of restaurants and bars would be added next to the cinema.
Developers Peel Investments says, if it gets the go ahead from Gloucester City Council planners, it could enhance Gloucester's economy and provide residents with better leisure facilities.
Peel Investments has applied for full planning permission to extend and refurbish the existing Cineworld cinema at St Ann Way, Gloucester.
The new cinema (which would still be Cineworld) would increase in size by 3,197 square metres to 5,500 square metres.
If planning consent is granted later this year by the planning committee, the development will be completed next summer.
Grenville Bird, senior investment manager at Peel said: "As part of the overall regeneration strategy for the Gloucester Quays area, Peel is keen to improve its St Ann Way Retail Park, which was constructed in the late 1980s and is now beginning to look dated.
"We want it to reflect the quality and design ethos we have built into the designer outlet and the application for the cinema extension is the first step in that process.
"Gloucester Quays will bring many more visitors into the area, especially when the new Inner Relief Road and Canal Bridge opens later this year.
"The cinema operator is keen to take advantage of this, as well as improving the facilities it can offer to its existing customers, providing some of the best facilities in the area."
But the developer says it is not yet known which restaurants, cafes or bars will fill the four plots next to the canal.
Leader of Gloucester City Council Paul James has also provisionally given the development a thumbs up.
He said: "Gloucestershire deserves improved cinema facilities and this will deliver them.
"It will deliver new leisure services to the city. Rather than the cinema being isolated, it will be an integral part of the Gloucester Quays and Gloucester Docks regeneration.
"It will certainly enhance the evening economy and bring people into the docks and the city. Everyone will benefit from it.
"For Gloucester to only have six screens is a bit on the light side. This will take us where we need to be as far as cinema provision is concerned."
Cineworld was not available for comment.
37 Comments
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by DIGGER, Gloucester (Thank God)
Tuesday, August 19 2008, 4:34PM
“AT LAST! I am SO fed up with going to Cheltenham to see the latest releases. The last time I went to Chelters I got mugged! Let's face it. Cheltenham is a rough place. Gloucester is far safer.”
by Anon, Glos
Tuesday, August 19 2008, 12:03PM
“I moved down here from the grim north and I love it, you really dont appreciate what you have here.”
by Matthew, Gloucester
Tuesday, August 19 2008, 10:10AM
“Yet again the citizen is reporting incorrectly "4 new screens to the existing 6" they forget to mention that 1 screen is being removed meaning that this will only be a 9 screen cinema not 10 !!!
Also disapointingly only the 4 new screens are going to have stadium seating leaving the old 5 screens pretty much as they are in the dark ages.
I guess we'll have a half decent cinema shame they cant do all of it properly - I'd say most of the money being spent is going on the 4 new bars / resturants which are welcome but the cinema is only getting a portion of the money it needs.”
by t, glos
Monday, August 18 2008, 10:13PM
“were get charged for the parking next”
by Craig, Newent
Monday, August 18 2008, 6:48PM
“Funny how it is always the Cheltenham residents are are the ones who start the 'Ours is better than yours' argument.
Don't get me wrong, I like Cheltenham - nice buildings, clean, good range of shops, lovely setting, BUT the inhabitants do look down to any outsiders, especially those from the COUNTY CAPITAL.
And Barton Street maybe bad, but would you really feel safe around Cheltenham at night? Thought not.”
by Peter, Gloucester
Monday, August 18 2008, 4:56PM
“I stopped going to the Gloucester cinema because it had become too run down. Stroud's cinema may be smaller but it's nicer and the seating is much better.
I think the cinema is better on the outskirts of town because you don't get ripped off for parking like you would in the centre (with most films you would need 2-3 hours parking).
Finally, to add my opinion the the Gloucester Vs. Cheltenham argument - At least Gloucester isn't trying to be something it's not. If Cheltenham residents are happy with an artificially inflated cost of living just because "It's Cheltenham" then good for you.”
by *, *
Monday, August 18 2008, 9:09AM
“yeah but andrew where do u think all the imagrants are gonna live if they don't build all these house, their ones they are being built for really if u think about it, do we uk ppl get free houses, noooooooooooo!!! but ppl coming into this country that claim they will be killed or what ever other excuse they have 2 get out of there country into ours gets eveything free even a 200,000 house in kingsway but we have to sruggle thats where all the goverment money goes and council money!!! sorry but it really annoys me and no doubt annoys alot of other ppl!!!”
by andrew, gloucester, quedgeley
Sunday, August 17 2008, 11:25PM
“welll im still young but what is the point gloucester a terrible place 2 live always will be no doubt every building is terrible.
people still avnt got homes from the floods nor are geting insured because they dont want to pay for the damages that the house owners cant afford where isnt there fault and its just pathetic spend it on something better and stop building houses in quedgeley we can make our selves a town soon n just getin more trouble with more houses built give stuff to do build an ice rink we havnt got that yet im fed up of going to swindon spending all that money wen they want to rebuild a cinema wich is perfectly fine its just pathetic really”
by ian, gloucester
Sunday, August 17 2008, 7:20PM
“wouldnt it make more sense for the city to have its cinema in the city centre & not out of town? glouceser city centre is a dump & whilst huge amounts of money is being spent on the development @ the quays where is the investment in the city centre?
oh yeah - there isnt any money at all being spent. that is criminal & the likes of Paul James have no vision - they simply want to put their names to big money developments so that they can have their pictures taken looking smug, self satisfied & important.
gloucester is having its heart & soul ripped out by greedy developers & the City Council who simply have no idea of what the people actually want.
gloucester is one of the few citys in the uk that is slowly being strangled by short-sighted planners.
birmingham, manchester, bristol, sheffield, leeds, cardiff etc etc are being regenerated with the money being spent in the city centre - not on vast concrete lumps like the quays.
well done gloucester city council. another nail in the coffin of a once proud & flourishing ciy centre.”
by Fact of life, Chelt
Sunday, August 17 2008, 7:11PM
“Let's face up to the fact that Gloucester is a terrible place -”