Good news for Gloucester shoppers as Virgin Media opens up
SHOPPERS and business leaders have welcomed a sudden surge of new retailers opening up in Gloucester.
Since the opening of the Gifts Direct store in the former Hawkshead building on The Cross, another four premises have either opened or are set to open.
First Choice travel agents will soon start trading in the former Early Learning Centre store on Eastgate Street, while both Virgin Media and Amber Clothing have opened in King's Walk.
A fifth empty retail unit will be reopened this morning at 11am, when the Marie Curie cancer charity shop also opens in King's Walk.
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Shopper Kerry Williamson, 29, from Tredworth, said the news was good for shoppers.
She said: "The more shops we can get into the city centre, the better. We don't have a bad selection these days."
Mark Owen, chairman of Gloucester's Federation of Small Businesses, said: "It is excellent news for the city and it highlights that Gloucester is bucking the trend.
"It also comes on the back of the fantastic news that the old B&Q site is being renovated and opened up by Go Outdoors and work is going on to convert the old Courts store, and plans for the former Kwik Save.
"It shows retailers from across the country are realising that Gloucester has a strong retail future, and we should support our city as much as possible by shopping here."
Council chiefs are also pleased with the retail boost.
Councillor Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "It shows a sense of confidence in our city's future."
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, who represents the area on Gloucestershire County Council, said: "It is encouraging to see new businesses opening. However, the big one we want to see filled is the old Woolworths store."
It is believed Marks & Spencer will take over the site next year. Although it has not confirmed plans to relocate to the Eastgate Street venue.
Comments
by Bemused, Gloucester.
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 9:53PM
“Jas, Quedgeley. I was well aware of the demise of the Virgin Megastore chain, I was hoping this may have been a bit of a revival for them. I take it then that the man in Eastgate Market will now have a shop to lurk in, instead of pouncing on passers by and trying to flog them HD TV packages.”
by jas, quedgeley
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 8:50PM
“Bemused, Gloucester
You are a bit behind the times.
Virgin Megastores have not existed for at least a couple of years now.
The Virgin Media ( I think the clue is in the name ) store is a welcome addition, I'm glad that they chose Gloucester to open up there only store in the County and not Cheltenham.”
by chris, glos
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 7:04PM
“zala, gloucester, do you not use google at all, its already been reported that the old woolies store is going to be m and s but these things take time”
by Roger, Brockworth
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 5:20PM
“Bemused, I hoped it would be like 'OUR PRICE RECORDS'”
by Bemused, Gloucester
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 5:04PM
“When I saw Virgin Media opening in Gloucester I thought it was like a Virgin Megastore selling CDs and DVDs. Can you imagine my disapointment when it turned out to be a glorified phone shop.”
by Kath, Chelt
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 1:24PM
“@Dean. We are not all snobs in Cheltenham, we can, however, string a sentence together!”
by GP, Dursley
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 1:22PM
“Well Cheltenham's flagship store is Cavendish House but have you been in there lately?
Put it this way, go to John Lewis at Cribbs Causeway or in Cardiff THEN compare.
Maybe Cheltenham was once the best place to shop, not now.”
by Peter, Upton
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 1:18PM
“I don't think all Cheltonians are snobs, Dean, but I do agree they get the better shops; for example, they get Lakeland, an up class kitchener and we get tat on the Cross. Like Nobby, I am dismayed at our drab city centre but if you want to cheer yourself up, spend some time wandering round the cathedral. It is one of the most glorious buildings in Europe, if not the world. Beats anything Cheltenham has anyway.”
by Dean, Gloucester
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 12:34PM
“Ignore below message
Cheltenham are a bunch a snobs than Gloucester. They get all the best stuff shops, parks etc we get squat.”
by Dean, Gloucester
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 12:25PM
“Cheltenham are a bunch a snobs than Gloucester Peter. They get all the best stuff shops, parks etc we get squat.”