Despite the economic downturn, Gloucester continues to buck the trend with over 350 new investors over the last two years, over £500m worth of private sector investment with a further £200m in the pipeline and major regeneration projects continuing to transform the City.
Renowned developer, Stanhope, is working up proposals for the £55m development of the Kings Quarter area, which is hoped to attract over 30 new retailers, restaurants, two new squares and a cinema.
At Gloucester Quays, the Peel Group is developing a new £60m leisure quarter to include a health and fitness club, 10 screen cinema and 11 restaurants.
LXB Developers are committed to regenerating the Railway Triangle, which in addition to the new Morrisons supermarket will accommodate high tech manufacturing and engineering businesses.
Big businesses, such as Debenhams, M&S and Ecclesiastical, who are developing their new HQ in the docks, are committing to the city with multi-million pound developments.
Phil Staddon, Director of Regeneration, Gloucester City Council gives us his view: "Unlike many places in the UK, Gloucester has a young age demographic, 40% of people are under thirty but things don't stop there. The city has a big growth agenda, with significant population growth forecast over the next twenty years, much of this growth will be in the 16-65 age range.
"The city itself has an exceptional catchment, with over 85% of the immediate population falling within the ABC1 socio-demographic profile, higher than average wealthy executives, affluent greys, flourishing families as well as drawing from an affluent hinterland - over 8,400,000 people live within 90 minutes travel time."