Shopping centre firm will run whole Docks site
ALL Gloucester's historic Docks will be run by the firm which is breathing life into its waterfront.
The Peel Group has won the contract to manage the whole of Gloucester Docks, so it can bring the northern half up to the same standards as its Gloucester Quays outlet shopping centre. It wants it to become a destination not just for shopping but for museums and leisure visitors too.
Gloucester City Council leader Paul James welcomed the move, which will bring unity to the two halves of the area either side of Llanthony Road.
"There has always been a distinction between the Docks and the Quays and by drawing the two together, you have a better opportunity to provide a good day out," he said.
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Mark Owen, chairman of the Gloucester branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "This is fantastic news as it will bring the entire Docks area under one umbrella organisation which can only streamline the redevelopment process."
The contract sees The Peel Group, which owns Gloucester Quays, providing a facilities management service on a 10-acre area bordered by St Ann Way, Llanthony Road, Ladybellegate Street and the Docks, bringing the total area under Peel Group stewardship to 70 acres in Gloucester.
Peel manages security for the Gloucester Quays and has staged the Victorian Christmas Market and the Food Festival.
The new arrangement incorporates the cleaning, maintenance and landscaping of the Docks' public areas to ensure they are welcoming and attractive.
Earlier this year Peel also announced plans to build a new £60million shopping and leisure development on the site of the present Peel Centre.
The scheme will include eleven restaurants, a 10-screen 1,600 seat cinema, a revamped and expanded Quays, new shops and 550 new jobs.
Peel confirmed it's talking to "a number of quality brands" but won't reveal any names, for the waterfront development.
Jason Pullen, managing director of Gloucester Quays, said: "We're looking forward to working with Gloucester City Council and the Gloucester Docks Estate Company to continue to improve and maintain the high standard of management within the Docks."
Comments
by gpwatts1
Monday, November 12 2012, 12:31PM
“I'm not impressed by their management of the Peel Centre and their parking enforcement. If the parking were free I'd also go shopping at the Quays whilst at the Peel Centre. As it is they must lose their retailers lots of business.
Can we assume that we lose the existing free parking when the new cinema opens?”
by bdbear
Monday, November 12 2012, 11:39AM
“It is a shame they were not in charge of the docks 20 years ago .I am sure they would have done a better job than the current mess ,all the emtpy buildings would have been renovated and full by now with shops offices and flats great publis areas and they would have really made the area come alive . No I do not work for them, but see that the quays are the best bit of investment in the city in 50 years . In fact why not give them all of the city centre as well and hopefully buy out those useless lot who own kingswalk and the eyesore in kings square it is an appsolute disgrace that another year has passed and they have not refurbised it and got tenants or pulled it down and as for what they put up for christmas what a joke”
by Glos_Lad34
Monday, November 12 2012, 10:14AM
“I heard months back that the Peel Group was running the docks when it finally is finshed and updated.”
by Walker100
Monday, November 12 2012, 9:39AM
“Some more cracking investigative journalism from TiG.
So, how much is this costing us, how long is the contract, who else was invited to tender, what safe guards are in place if Peel holdings fail?
Call me old fashioned but isn't that what journalists are supposed to do rather than just publish Paul James' self-congratulatory missives?”