TACKLING GLOUCESTER’S EMPTY SHOPS

HAVE YOUR SAY!

A collage of three empty shop storefronts in Gloucester, with the words "TACKLING GLOUCESTER'S EMPTY SHOPS" written across the images, and a logo at the bottom reading "ALEX MONTURE STANDING UP FOR GLOUCESTER".
Vintage black and white photo of a woman and man standing outside a store with a sign that reads "Stroud Brewery Ales & Stout." The store has a large glass window displaying various products and an outdoor display of crates filled with bottles and cans of beverages.
Black and white photograph of a street corner with old buildings, shop signs, and cars parked along the road, likely from the mid-20th century.
Black and white photo of a busy city parking lot filled with various cars and a few pedestrians. Buildings with storefronts, including a theater, line the street behind the lot.
A black and white photo of a busy city street with vintage cars, pedestrians, and buildings. String lights are hanging across the street, and a church or cathedral with a tall spire is in the background.

When I’m out talking to constituents on the doorstep the state of Gloucester city centre comes up time and again, with people in areas of the city like Quedgeley telling me they haven’t been into the city centre for years. 

That’s why I’m launching my empty shops campaign, to support our traders and encourage future business owners to invest in our city centre. I’m working with colleagues in the Labour Group on Gloucester City Council to put forward workable solutions to revitalise our Gate Streets and make Gloucester city centre a destination again. 

A protest sign supporting the high street rental auction proposals by Gloucester City Council, Greenlit by Labour, with the word 'Unanimously' in green across the middle.
Informational poster titled 'How It Works' with steps for a process involving property leasing, including shops empty for over 12 months, market setting rent, council auction, and landlord acceptance, with the logo 'Alex McIntyre Standing Up for Gloucester' at the bottom.
A graphic with large bold text reading 'What this means for Gloucester' over a background of a city waterfront with boats and colorful buildings. Green arrows point to the text, which says 'More shops open,' 'Stronger local economy,' 'Revitalised city centre,' and 'Residents can feel proud of our city centre again.' At the bottom, a logo features the name 'Alex McIntyre' and the phrase 'Standing up for Gloucester.'
A man in a suit sitting at a wooden table with coffee and a slice of cake smiling at the camera in a cozy cafe.

There is so much to celebrate about Gloucester and our independent businesses, which is why I’m making it my mission to eat a meal or have a drink at every independent café and restaurant in the city.  

These business owners need our support, and they need Gloucester City Council to do more to ensure the city centre is somewhere people want to visit, to spend their time and hard-earned money. 

We’re not short of innovative people with fantastic ideas in our city, but they need support to get those ideas off the ground. I hope that through my campaign we can get the city council to take serious action to support the local economy and get our city centre thriving again.  

UPDATES

Man in a suit standing outside an art or gift shop with a teal storefront and large glass windows

09/10/2025

I recently visited Weirdsmith, the newly opened pop-up art shop in Gloucester City Centre today.

I’m really pleased to see local creators being given the opportunity to step into entrepreneurship while showcasing their work to the community.

Weirdsmith is a marketplace for local artists, featuring a range of locally made artwork, ceramics, and textiles. Supported by the building's owner, Gloucester BID, and Gloucester Culture Trust, it aims to bring a fresh breath of life to our high street.

The pop-up shop will be open until the New Year, so do go and check them out!

18/09/2025

I welcome the news that the council unanimously voted in favour of Labour’s proposed introduction of High Street Rental Auctions, as such, I am working with colleagues to press for a full list of vacant properties.

Empty shops shouldn’t drag down our high streets; they should be full of life and opportunity. That’s where High Street Rental Auctions come in.

Here’s how it works:

➡️ Shops empty for 12+ months become eligible for the scheme.

➡️ The market sets the rent, not the landlord.

➡️ The council holds an auction for a lease of up to five years.

➡️ The landlord must accept the winning bid, bringing the space back into use.

What This Means for Gloucester

✅ More shops open – no more rows of empty units.

✅ A stronger local economy – more jobs, more footfall, more buzz.

✅ A revitalised city centre – breathing new life into our streets.

✅ Pride in our city again – Gloucester looking and feeling its best.

A graphic with text and checkmarks indicating that Gloucester City Council, Greenlit, and Labour's High Street Rental Auctions passed unanimously, and includes the name Alex McIntyre.
People standing in line outside a venue with 'Liquid' signs, brick building facade with arched windows, posters, and ropes forming a queue.

18/10/2025

It’s great to see a new owner taking over at the former Liquid/ Atik nightclub on Eastgate Street. I know many people were concerned when it closed without much warning earlier this year, so it's good to see a new owner taking on the business. 

Gloucester’s nightlife and hospitality sector are an important part of our local economy, and it’s encouraging to see new investment and energy in the city centre. Along with the refurb at Butlers Bar#103 further along Eastgate Street, there are positive signs that we'll continue to see this area of the city thriving and offering a fantastic night out to residents, visitors and students in the city. 

I wish the team at Monkey Bar Events every success.