The work done by Gloucester City Council to improve trade, business and the local economy has been recognised by the government.

Gloucester is one of only seven local authorities in the country to be awarded funds from the High Street Renewal Awards.

The Department of Communities and Local Government will be giving the City Council  a total of £130,000 to continue its work in this area.

It follows a successful bid by the Council’s Economic Development Team which outlined all the steps that have been taken to ‘transform the high street’ as well as the local economy.

These include:
•    £700 million worth of investment either spent or committed to major developments across the City.
•    Nearly 400 businesses have either started up, expanded or relocated within Gloucester.
•    A package of help for new businesses which includes grants for rent/rates, building repairs and improvements. Free start up courses, specialist advice and specialist incubator space.
•    The award winning ‘Night Market’ bringing more people into the City at night.
•    ‘Independents Day’ to coincide with American Independence day and which recognised and supported the 64 independently-owned shops in the City.
•    The Gloucester History Weekend and Heritage Open days – recognised as one of the best events of its kind in the country – which bring thousands of people into the City.

Council Leader, Paul James, commented: “ This award is a tribute to the ideas, efforts and enthusiasm we have made in working to support local business and the local economy.

“ I am delighted that this has been recognised by the government as examples of good practice that could be followed and emulated by other authorities across the country.

“ In Gloucester we have been bucking the economic trends. We are seen as a good place to live, work and do business. There are a lot of detailed statistics that sit behind these examples. We work very hard to make a difference.”