GLOUCESTER RENAISSANCE
The campaign to make Gloucester magnificent again
The renaissance of Gloucester has been a major turning point in the long and distinguished history of the city. And the Docks was always going to be at the heart of Gloucester’s regeneration. When Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (GHURC) was set up in 2005, one of its key objectives was the repair and re-use of 83 buildings listed as historically important, with 36 on the “at risk” register. New uses needed to be found for around 100 hectares of brownfield land. GHURC was also tasked with helping to address the wider social and economic problems in the city. At that time, Gloucester had the second highest crime rate in the South West, with economic activity lower than the county average and the unemployment rate higher. Almost a third of people living in the GHURC area had no recognised skills or qualifications. Much credit for the formation of the GHURC must go to former Gloucester MP Parmjit Dhanda, who lobbied the then Prime Minister Tony Blair for his support. The sitting Gloucester MP Richard Graham has continued to drive regeneration. The GHURC - the 16th URC to be established in the country – had a range of targets. These included: The creation of 2,000 jobs Some 30,000 sq metres of retail floorspace Around 15,000 sq metres of commercial floorspace Some 3,000 new homes Attracting £1 billion of private investment Consultants Terence O’Rourke produced the area
regeneration framework which identified the key development sites – the Magnificent Seven. These are:
Greater Blackfriars Gloucester Docks Gloucester Quays Greyfriars King’s Quarter Railway Triangle Canal Corridor
Just a few years after the creation of the GHURC, the UK found itself in the global recession of 2007-08 and business was badly hit. Despite this, it managed to maintain the momentum of regeneration in the city. It was chaired by Dr Greg Smith, who was then principal and chief executive of Gloucestershire College. He demonstrated tremendous skill in bringing together many diverse groups with varying interests in the regeneration. He worked hard to ensure everyone was on board and was also adept at managing egos. Greg Smith’s vision led to the demolition of the run- down Gloucestershire College in Brunswick Road and the relocation of the college to the Docks in a state- of-the-art waterside building. He was ably assisted by GHURC vice-chair and former Gloucester Citizen editor, Ian Mean, whose no-nonsense approach, passion for business and drive to get things done would prove invaluable. By the time the GHURC was wound up in March 2013, it had attracted some £600 million of investment in Gloucester over its lifetime. In our special report we return to the Magnificent Seven sites and see how they have progressed l
22 | July 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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