Traders show faith in Gloucester with host of new shops
A HOST of traders have shown their faith in Gloucester and opened shops here this week.
And a bumper list of businesses are also lining up to kickstart their stores within the next few weeks.
Treasure Seekers opened in College Street on Thursday selling handmade crafts and retro sweets.
It's arrival means the shopping hot spot is fully stocked with traders for the first time in nine years.
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It was swiftly followed by the opening of jewellery franchise Pandora in Northgate Street.
Brothers Mark and Andrew Warr and dad David have invested £700,000 in making it a dazzling addition to the city.
They already own 15 David Christopher stores across the South West but this is their first venture into Gloucester.
Mark said: "We think Gloucester is great and underestimated.
"We have faith in Gloucester and faith the shop will do well."
Today Barratts is due to make its return to Eastgate Street in the unit next to Marks & Spencer.
B&M have opened in the old M&S shop in Southgate Street and TK Maxx is due to take over the other unit in Northgate Street by February.
Budget chain The Gym Group is also due to open its branch at Gloucester Quays on December 19.
Two supermarkets are also thought to be arriving soon.
Co-op has submitted a planning application for the former Animal shop in Kings Walk and Tesco is thought to be taking over the JJB shop in Southgate Street.
Council leader Paul James said: "There's been rumours for a long time that Tesco will take the unit.
"If these finally turn out to be true it will be good to see a long-standing empty unit brought back into use."
Down at the docks, Leigh Phillips is opening a barber shop in the 19th century Grade II listed Weighbridge House.
Young Gloucestershire opened The Link in Southgate Street on Monday.
Comments
by SandraPee
Monday, October 29 2012, 11:00AM
“Have got to agree with dontyaknow and Bonkin2003, . I can't see that the next year or so will see any great improvement in people's ability to have any disposable income to speak of with food, energy and fuel prices rising all the time . Affluent people will always spend, but, unfortunately,, probably not in Gloucester city.
Personally, with more supermarkets /shops being built, or extended out of the city centre there will be even less reason to go into the city centre. Does the city centre need a Tesco's ? Yes, it would take over an empty shop, but, it's worrying just how many outlets Tesco already have. Remove the Banks from the gate streets and the city centre would be really in trouble . With internet banking being pushed/recommended more and more the long term prospect could see a major change on the high streets .
The sooner work begins on King's Quarter the better .
Very worrying times indeed , but, without disposable income I fear there's going to be little improvement in the fortunes of the retail sector. If you've not got it , you can't spend it ! That's just common sense .”
by dontyaknow
Sunday, October 28 2012, 3:49PM
“It's great to see the new shops opening up, and something a bit decent for a change - Pandora looks like it actually offers something a bit different rather than the usual boring cheap shops that keep opening.
Agree with thomas, parking needs to be looked at. A couple of hours free parking could really draw in the shoppers.
With all that said though, I also agree with Bonkim. The economy is in the doldrums - 2013 & 2014 are set to see the economy sink further, so it remains to be seen whether people will actually have the money left to buy the non essentials once they have spent what little money they have on food, utilities, rents and mortgages.”
by thomas1996
Sunday, October 28 2012, 3:05PM
“All we need now is 2 or 3 hour free parking for shoppers. Oh yes a nice new Debenhams to replace the cramped/dated one we have and in keeping with the new Kings Square development.”
by zalapompadoo
Sunday, October 28 2012, 1:49PM
“more jobs for gloucester people so its positive”
by Bonkim2003
Sunday, October 28 2012, 8:40AM
“Hope people have jobs and money to spend - that is more important than shops opening selling non-essential goods - mostly imported.”
by honslknjklyt
Sunday, October 28 2012, 12:51AM
“Beggars are a legalised rip off and a scam. I give them nothing.”
by TimMessanger
Saturday, October 27 2012, 9:38PM
“The number of beggars in Cheltenham is just a joke, I got asked if I could "spare some change" seven times within half an hour!”
by honslknjklyt
Saturday, October 27 2012, 2:15PM
“I think it is marvellous and really hope these ventures do well. Good luck to them.
Considering college street is such a "hotspot" though shouldn't the licenced cafe - "the comfy pew" be open longer than 3pm, officially closing at 4pm but the broom by the door at 3.15 to stop anyone thinking of going in.
Good luck to everybody and yes, I think it will improve gloucester.”
by Tree1974
Saturday, October 27 2012, 10:06AM
“I was in the hairdresser's yesterday in Gloucester. It was so nice to hear everyone being so upbeat about how the city centre is improving.
I went to Cheltenham the other day and other than the Prom, it is a huge disappointment in comparison to Gloucester, and Gloucester is going to get better and better if empty units continue to be filled!”