Gloucester Quays open for business
The shops are open and the verdict is in, Gloucester Quays is great.
Crowds are milling through the multi-million pound development grabbing opening day bargains.
Gap, Next and M&S are all busy as people clammer to get in.Shoppers have got their credit cards at the ready for the opening of the Gloucester Quays Designer Outlet.
Hartpury student James Baldwin said he was impressed with how the centre looked but wanted more shops.
He said: "I thought there would be more places open. There's not for men my age but it looks great and when its finished it will be fantastic."
Pregnant Francesca Iles from Tredworth said: "I like the one in Swindon and this one is nice. Its very clean and fresh looking."
Karen Foley and pal Cindy Akyol had travelled to Gloucester especially for the opening.
Karen, from Thornbury, said: "I saw it advertised and decided to come up. We would like to see the other shops open but we would definitely come back again."
Cindy from Yate, added: "It looks so nice inside, I can't wait to come back."
Schoolmates Danielle Toon and Natalie Jones from Quedgeley were there with a group of friends.
The pair said they were impressed with what the Quays had to offer.
Danielle said: "I think it looks really lovely inside, really smart. When its properly open it will be great.
"It feels different from the rest of town, it feels posh."
Natalie added: "We've been in Rock Couture and the Cadbury's shop, the shops and the floors look lovely."
For Lindsey Ashworth, development director, the opening was the culmination of a massive project.
He said: "It was 1999 when I started this scheme and at the time I didn't think it was possible.
"Over the last 12months it has never ceased to amaze me how good it looks. This is something the people of Gloucester can be proud of."
With flagship stores Marks&Spencer, Next and Gap sitting alongside specialist names like Regatta and Wonderbra, centre director Franco Muccini said the Quays offers something which will compliment the city centre.
"We all agree Gloucester is in need of regeneration especially around the docks and that's what we want to do, there is more to come," he said.
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by Parent, Hardwicke
Friday, May 22 2009, 6:07PM
“I went to the Quays in my lunch time and browsed through.
It is very nice and impressive.
Has a good range of shops and yet many more to open, and by the way Kath Gloucester, there is a cash machine, just before you go in, i noticed it on my way out of the centre.
But, considering it is an outlet centre it is very expensive, i sell quite a few of these products from kids to adults in my store and is more competitive than the Quays.
Now lets hope planners take a good look at the city centre and Mall and do something there.
The Docks area could do with more attractions, the ferris wheel looks ok, but not like the London Eye, bring on the Gloucester Eye.
I will be back in there soon.”
by Barbara, Gloucester
Friday, May 22 2009, 5:43PM
“I visited the new outlet yesterday and had to pinch myself to be sure I was still in Gloucester! At last...something positive for our poor old City. I do hope all the empty units get filled with quality traders. This is just what Gloucester needed. I am concerned however that it will not have a positive effect on the city centre and fail to see how it is going to bring business to the independent trader who is hanging on in this recession struggling to keep head above water so to speak.
Who needs to go into Marks up town now for example?
Lets have similar quality regeneration around the bus station, Kings Square, Ladybellgate Street and Southgate Street.
What I have seen I think is fabulous...well done to all concerned. I can't wait to see it all open, full of traders and visitors to our city.”
by Chris, Cheltenham
Thursday, May 21 2009, 11:56PM
“This looks good for Gloucestershire and will bring more people into the county - we need something like this to be honest. It's a real shame however that they didn't think to do up the city centre first - let's face it - it's a lovely city in places but the centre is a complete hole and a nasty place to be - not at all enjoyable. So good start for Gloucestershire but so much more needed for both Gloucester and Cheltenham.”
by Kat, gloucester
Thursday, May 21 2009, 10:02PM
“R, Churchdown, majority of shops open. I'd say it's worth a look, & perhaps go back later when the rest of the shops are open (if they appeal to you). That's what I plan to do. anyway!”
by kath, glos
Thursday, May 21 2009, 9:56PM
“Went down and had a look around,thought it was nice also its a positive thing for glos,will go again when more is open.Hope when i go there will be a cash machine,as i was not the only one to find out not a hole in the wall yet!”
by R, Churchdown
Thursday, May 21 2009, 9:42PM
“What shops area actually open already? Is it going to be a waste of time me going there tomorrow ?”
by Tasty Fish, Gloucester
Thursday, May 21 2009, 9:38PM
“Just a few more thoughts.
The negative image of Gloucester only seems to be maintained locally. Hate to say it but mainly by snobby-nosed people from the other end of the Golden Valley by-pass.
However, leave Gloucestershire and it's a different story. Think of Gloucester and people think of the cathedral, a historic city and the Docks.
My girlfriend's from Chester and when she first came down she didn't understand why people thought it was so bad.
I've travelled a fair bit around the UK and you could live somewhere a lot, lot worse: Reading, Swindon, Warrington, Stoke, Burnley, Slough, Luton, Coventry, Hull, Wigan, St Helens, Ellesmere Port, Blackpool, Middlesbrough, Darlington just off the top of my head. Basingstoke anyone?
Maybe it's time Gloucestershire folk stopped knocking Gloucester and instead looked at what this City has and, more importantly, what it could have in future.”
by Michael, Gloucester
Thursday, May 21 2009, 9:30PM
“popped down after finishing work earlier and was suitably impressed.
Finally after years of talk about regenerating Gloucester, and people moaning about how run down it is, we have a bright shiny new shopping centre open when other cities schemes are being put on hold because of the current climate.
This area was once one of the most run down places within walking distance of The Cross. Now it is a beacon for what Gloucester can become.
Roll on the opening of Phase 2.
Roll on the opening of the new Sainsburys.
Roll on the redevelopment of Kings Quarter and the rest of the 'magnificent seven'
Oh, and Bri from May Hill - there's a developer on board now working on plans for the redevelopment of the old Gloscat sites.
Woolworths closing the council's fault? Pull the oter one, it's got tinkly jangly things on it”
by nathan, chelt
Thursday, May 21 2009, 9:27PM
“the quays looks really great and is just what glos needs. the same what they did to bristol. but why were TWO pcso's stood by the lights with no hi viz jackets on(they were nearly ran over) trying to get cars to go towards the quays when ppl can read the sign post and 2 yobs were trying to turn the place in to good old smelly glos.”
by Paul, Churchdown
Thursday, May 21 2009, 9:17PM
“Look forward to visiting the new shopping outlet soon when things have quietened down after the opening. Let's also enjoy the Tall Ships Festival. I thought the 2007 festival was interesting.
I hear talk that Blackfriars and the bus station area of Gloucester are next in line for redevelopment, so I am just waiting to see the outcome now.”