Preserving and promoting Gloucester’s history is a key part of future plans for the city

Forming part of the Great Place scheme, funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund and Arts Council England, the strategy aims to keep Gloucester’s heritage at the forefront of the city’s culture, regeneration, tourism and economic development.

The City Council worked with local and national heritage organisations to write the Heritage Strategy 2019-2029, including Gloucester Culture Trust, Gloucester Civic Trust, Gloucester Historic Buildings Trust, Gloucester Heritage Forum and Historic England.

The work the city council will carry out as part of the strategy will see Gloucester’s architecture reinstated to a higher quality as part of the planning process and through grant schemes such as the Townscape Heritage Initiative in Southgate Street and forthcoming High Street Heritage Action Zone in Westgate Street. Works will include restoring historic shopfronts, reinstatement of timber windows, improving signage and public realm and encouraging regenerating vacant upper floors in the gate street.

As well as larger heritage led regeneration schemes such as Llanthony Secunda priory, Project Pilgrim, Discover De Crypt, to name a few, the strategy will influence decision making across the city and proposals include the creation of a local list of heritage assets, enhancing design aspirations for the city and providing greater training and traditional skills opportunities to all.

The strategy has also contributed to proposals under the Gloucester City Plan which will be open for consultation later in the year.

Cllr Paul James, leader of Gloucester City Council, said:"We know that Gloucester’s heritage is really important to our residents. This strategy sets out the work the council will do over the next ten years to make sure Gloucester’s history is kept alive and at the forefront of plans for the City."

Cllr Steve Morgan, cabinet member for culture and leisure at Gloucester City Council, said: "Gloucester’s heritage is a very important part of our culture. With this strategy in place we can make sure we make the most of Gloucester’s history for both residents and visitors to the City."

Hollie Smith-Charles, Director of Gloucester Culture Trust, said: "The city’s extraordinary history is at the heart of our ambition to put Gloucester on the cultural map. We welcome this strategy, which provides a roadmap for how we can strengthen, promote and celebrate Gloucester’s heritage over the next decade."

More information and the full strategy document can be found here.