TK Maxx and b&m stores take former M&S shops in Gloucester

“Only on this website can the news of two new shops opening in the city be greeted with moaning. The usual suspects mind you. No city centre the size of Gloucester would be mad enough to offer free parking, the car parks would be a free for all and then you lot would be moaning because you couldn't get a space. I'm pleased to see Gloucester is filling up its empty shops in both the centre and at the quays, having lived here most of my life I am noticing a marked difference in the atmosphere of the city both in the day and in the evenings. With the opening of the new cinema at the quays, the kings quarter redevelopment and the opening of these two new shops, Gloucester is on the up, don't let the doom mongerers tell you otherwise!”

“Does this mean Gloucester is bucking the national trend?”

“who cares woolworths was empty for nearly 4 years and i would rather a see a shop open than a closed shop, whatever its selling its employment and it brings trade to gloucester.”

“spindles12,
Amongst other things Mary Portas recommended:

More (overpriced) coffee shops to make town centres a 'social' place to be/meet.
Bring back open-air markets to attract shoppers back to town/city centres.
Offer free parking to encourage shoppers away from out-of-town shopping centres & supermarkets.

I think my 9 year old daughter could have come up with those things.

We already have too many coffee shops charging £2.50 for a cup of milky froth, doesn't Gloucester already have an indoor & outdoor market, and how likely is the city council going to halt a major revenue stream they have gotten used to?”

“Mary Portas Needed Here So Badly!!! :0)"

Oh no, surely not!! What has she achieved in her reorganising of the High Streets, we haven't heard anything lately, although there was much trumpeting about what she was going to do, can anyone please tell me? I have read that Stockport, one of Mary's Pilot projects was rejected, or at least ignored, much to her annoyance!

She had a go at sorting out a charity shop and also Primark on a TV programme but I think that didn't go down too well, especially as she sneered at both the shop assistants and customers in Primark and likened the place to a jumble sale. Her idea was to have assistants being "helpful" i.e. accosting you while you were quietly browsing. It may work in her outlets in House of Fraser but not everywhere because more assistants mean more wages to pay. When I shop I don't want to be pestered while I'm looking, just so long as there is someone on the till when I want to pay then that's good enough for me. Mary's ideas would cost money which is something that shops can't seem to afford these days, going out of business and leaving the empty shops that Mary is supposed to revitalise. Mary may be used to selling hundred quid handbags and dresses costing over £200 but with the financial situation as it is today, perhaps the emphasis should be on places like TK Maxx and B&M and even, dare I say it, £1 and charity shops. I have a feeling that the King's Quarter shops that are proposed will go the same way as many other town centre shops with Closing Down Sale notices in the windows a year or two after opening. The Oxbode, if it still exists after all the building work, far from being the road to a vibrant, swinging collection of shops and restaurants could end up a huge white elephant - I hope I'm wrong.”

“Well At Least It's Better Than A Rather Empty Quays Outlet. At Least You Can Pick Up A Cheeky Bargain In There From Time To Time. Still I'd Rather It Had Not Been Animal Closing Down,That's Not Good. Mary Portas Needed Here So Badly!!! :0)”

“Tim, less news than The Citizen? Surely you must be wrong, what great value for three times the inflation rate new price of 50p.

Take today's bumper issue, a unique supplement full of houses for sale that no-one can afford or want. A selection of secondhand car adverts you could now put on the back of a postage stamp (now that Jason Jones has stopped advertising) It's cheaper than buying a budgie cage liner Tim.”

“You are correct the big issue beggars are a pain with their constant shouting trying to sell the little mag with less news than the citi$en.”

“I wonder if big issue beggar will get back to his old spot for the rush when the new shop opens!

TK Maxx is a jumble and I don't like it so won't go, B and M, I would like as I have been in them before and like them but not if beggar is there.”

“Tim, TK Maxx is a jumble sale too, the one at Great Western Road, Swindon is.
Never mind the new shops - what about 2 hours FREE parking for shoppers to encourage them to visit Gloucester rather than local out-of-town shopping centres or supermarkets, or tempt them away from on-line shopping?”