Skip over navigation
top| Gloucester Renaissance logo




start of content

Blackfriars

A new cultural and creative quarter that expands the city centre.

  • Blackfriars - video overview

    Flash Movie
  • Blackfriars - google map

  • Programme Performance Update

    25th July 2008

    Greater Blackfriars

    A team led by FCB and Savills have completed a feasibility study into the development of the Greater Blackfriars area. The viability of the development as a whole has been assessed, the needs of possible occupiers reviewed, and the funding gap refined. The results of the study were reported to URC & SWRDA Boards; with a view to seeking approval of funding for the next stage of work – the preparation of development briefs – this is now agreed.

    Tenders have been sought for the next stage of archaeological appraisal and for the preparation of a detailed development brief for the site. Tenders assessed 27th May 2008. Consultant Scott Wilson appointed 4th June 2006.


    Fleece Hotel/Blackfriars Priory

    SWRDA approval obtained for design work on Blackfriars Priory on the 6th December 07. This enabled detailed negotiation with English Heritage, the owners of the Priory, with a view to work being undertaken later this year to bring the North and East Ranges of the Priory back into regular use. Concept designs presented at Steering Group on 21st May 2008.

    Agreement reached on the outline proposals of the design in June 08 and the detailed scheme is being developed.





The Blackfriars project will create an important new public square surrounded by speciality shops, a new flagship hotel, the revitalised Blackfriars Priory and nearby office and commercial developments.

Blackfriars Square will link to, and integrate, the city centre, the Cathedral, the Docks and the ‘rediscovered’ frontages of the River Severn and Westgate Quay. It will also be a major city destination and visitor attraction in its own right.

Blackfriars Priory

Site description

Blackfriars and Westgate Quay forms a large regeneration area in the south-west quadrant of the city centre, located between Southgate, Westgate, the Docks and the River Severn. Blackfriars Priory, which is a substantial monastic building of national importance, is the principal feature of the site, but it is currently closed to the public and virtually unused.

Outputs

  • 1.1 ha of brownfield land reclaimed
  • 4,000 sq m comparison retail
  • 5,000 sq m bars and restaurants
  • 300 new homes
  • 1,500 new jobs
  • 18,000 sq m offices
  • 5,500 sq m hotel
  • £135m private sector leverage

English Heritage supports and is ready to invest in Blackfriars Priory and awaits proposals for its future uses from the Gloucester Heritage URC.

Dr Simon Thurley
Chief Executive
English Heritage



9 Comments
SB
I note that Southgate Street is to close to traffic with the loss of more city centre disabled parking. Where are all the blue badge drivers supposed to park to visit this redeveloped area?
Posted on 29/Jan/2009
sypeFiexy
Hello!
I do not discern there what is at involvement

P.S. I need to say that - www.gloucesterurc.co.uk sheer enchanting Web resource!
Posted on 9/Jan/2009
nicole
what connections does it have with the city centre and what are the plans for the redevelopment of the Blackfriars?
Posted on 6/Jan/2009
Phillip
With the intended relocation of the police station and council to here, does this mean that the eyesore building they currently occupy can be torn down and redeveloped?
Posted on 10/Sep/2008
Karran
I congratulate you on presenting you forward plans to the public. However, there are many who could not atteend for a number of reasons, eg. they had other plans or are disabled etc. Sadly this site has not been updated for many, many months and is well out of date. Neither does anyone answer queries posted on this site.

Can you please post all the new information presented at the open days on this site; presumably someone had the forethought to video it? Also can plans, picutres, drawings, timelines et al be placed on the site? And can someon e please answer the questions posted here? Failing this, sadly you may as well close down the site!
Posted on 4/May/2008
FJ
I would like to suggest maybe fully pedestrianising the quay, turning it into a riverside promenade. It would actually be nice to see the entire central area of the city turned into a car-free zone inside the quay, st oswalds rd, black dog way, station rd, Clarance st, parliament st and commercial rd. The only exceptions would be bikes, delivery vehicles, taxis and buses and the emergency services.
Posted on 22/Apr/2008
Anthony
With the intended re-location of the county council to a purpose built building within Blackfriars, the ingenious idea of the existing Shire Hall becoming a theatre would be a real asset to the city and its evening economy. You just have to imagine what an incredible sight it would be with the right lighting luminating the foyer entrance pillars. This really will tick all the right boxes for the performing arts etc. that is proposed for this area. Please look into the feasibility of this as the city really does lack a decent central theatre to rival Cheltenham’s Everyman.

With the ‘University of Gloucestershire’ decision of re-location of specific departments from Cheltenham to Gloucester, this is a major coup for the city and will fit well with what’s planned for the area and again help with the general vibrancy and evening economy. I’ve heard mention a student village could be built, this could be placed within the canal corridor perhaps, along with a rejuvenated cycle/pedestrian pathway alongside the canal into the city passing through the quays and docks areas then up into Blackfriars and the city centre.

I hear there is a possibility that Gloucester Prison could be de-commissioned in the long term future. This would allow potential re-development to take place; one use perhaps would to convert this Victorian prison into a hotel, much like what Malmaison chain have done in Oxford with great effect. This maybe would allow a quality sized square between the older prison buildings and the river waterfront. Perhaps tourist information boards could be placed with detailing historic info and pictures of the once Gloucester Castle!?!

Much in favour of the downgrading of the quay road, this will allow much more pedestrian footfall from Westgate Street through to the docks and quays areas as with the planned four routes recently announced. Can we expect the raised walkway over Alney Island between the Castlemead’s car park and the quay being upgraded at all?

What with the city council re-locating, the four star hotel, public squares and boutique shopping, this really promises to be class developed area of re-generation linking the city into the docks and adjoining quays areas.

Look forward to the plans coming to fruition and actual work commencing as this looks like a complex phased development.

Posted on 22/Apr/2008
Andy Foster
I trust that the planners and council have made provision for MORE than enough FREE parking for the whole development.
Posted on 30/Jan/2008
Beff
When will it all open?
Posted on 27/Jan/2008
What do you think? Post your opinion

Add your comment

Add your comments by completing and submitting the form below.


(will not be displayed on the website)


Please Note:
Your comments will be checked within the next 48 hours by an administrator before appearing on the website.

Back to top of the page |