⏩ The Gloucester Start: Thursday July 3rd
Podsmead's £45m fallout | Alley won't be closed | Things to do in Gloucester
Good morning, welcome to Thursday’s Start. This newsletter operates on a ‘pay if you can’ basis - I won’t run ads and I want to keep it freely available because news and community information should be accessible to all. I think it’s a valuable service, and a model that’s been proven to work elsewhere, but it’s one that takes significant daily effort too. If you’re able, and you can see the value, can I ask you to consider joining our small and heroic band of paid subscribers? It’s £5 a month, or £45 a year (that’s three months free) and you’ll be helping push the Start towards being sustainable long-term. And if you’re tempted but think something’s missing or needs to improve first - I want to hear it. Fill out the reader survey, reply to this if you’re reading the email version, or get in touch via the submission form.
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☁️ Today’s weather: Cooler than recent days with temperatures peaking in the low-20s and cloud cover most of the day.
❌ A £45million regeneration scheme that would have brought new homes, shops and a sports area to Podsmead has been rejected by Gloucester City Council. The plans, led by Gloucester City Homes, were debated by councillors who were concerned about the loss of green space. - BBC Gloucestershire
↪️ Gloucester City Homes said they had been working on the plans for eight years, in partnership with the council, and a ‘once in a generation opportunity’ had been passed up. - Gloucester City Homes
↪️ The planning committee debate on the application lasted two hours and followed the unusual step of council officers not offering a recommended decision to councillors. - Punchline Gloucester
↪️ The decision ‘essentially closes down hope for a positive future for the people of Podsmead’, said Ashley Green as he resigned his positions of Podsmead Big Local chairman and director of Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society. 👇
🏠 More new homes will be coming to Gloucester elsewhere after permission was regranted for 180 properties in Matson. The scheme was first approved two years ago but amendments have been made to secure Homes England funding. - Gloucestershire Live
🚪 Mercers Way - otherwise known as Pinchbelly Alley - off Westgate Street won’t be gated off. The city council sought public views after repeated reports of antisocial behaviour there. - Gloucester City Council
🗣️ Your views are being asked for on the reorganisation of local government under devolution plans. Three options have been drawn up for how Gloucestershire’s councils might be structured in future. - Gloucestershire County Council
🚨 A woman missing from her home in the West Midlands is believed to be in Gloucester. Police are appealing for anyone who spots Emily to contact them. - Gloucestershire Constabulary
🚨 A 15-year-old has been missing from home since Monday evening. Jaylan is known to spend time in Coney Hill and officers are appealing for information to help find him. - Gloucestershire Constabulary
📌 Community Noticeboard
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📌 This Friday July 4th the Longlevens / Elmbridge PCSO and VPCSO will be doing Free Bike Coding and giving out Crime Prevention Advice / Literature.
Where: Co-Op, 129 Cheltenham Road, Longlevens, Gloucester GL2 0JQ
When: Friday July 4th 2025
Time: 6pm-8pm
More details here.
📌 Discover paddle sports in the heart of Gloucester. The Canal & River Trust Gloucester Activity hub has got an open day this Sunday July 6th. 👇
📌 Join us this July for an exciting line-up of events at Llanthony Secunda Priory, Gloucester! From theatre and archaeology to garden gatherings and family fun – there’s something for everyone. 👇
📅 Things to do
Got an event coming up you want to shout about? Send listings through at least a couple of days in advance if possible, via this form. It’s completely free.
🖌️ Brush Party - Show me the Honey at The High Orchard | Thursday, 7pm-9.30pm | £33 | Details
📽️ The Salt Path, The Ballad of Wallis Island, How to Train Your Dragon, 28 Years Later, Elio showing at Sherborne Cinema | Various times | £6/£7 | Details
🔱 Roman Gloucester Walks from the Museum of Gloucester | Friday, 10.30am | £7 | Details
🍺 Drunken Duck Turns 2 Birthday Bash at The Drunken Duck | Friday-Sunday | Free | Details
🛍️ Orchard Street Market at Gloucester Quays | Saturday and Sunday | Free | Details
⚽ Big Football Day - Free Girls Taster Sessions and Euros Watch Party at Gloucester City AFC | Saturday, 5.30pm | Free | Details
🎉 Golden Anniversary Celebrations at Robinswood Hill | Sunday, 12pm-5pm | Free | Details
Top posts from Wednesday’s Start:
🪴 Police find 170-plant cannabis factory in Painswick Road
🖋️ Alex McIntyre MP’s letter to constituents after voting for welfare changes
🚆Trespassers on railway line cause delays and cancellations from Gloucester