Major plans to transform Galleries Shopping Centre into ‘diverse hub’ with restaurants, new homes and hotel

Major plans to redevelop Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre have been unveiled.

The proposals, being put forward by developers Deeley Freed, would see the struggling Broadmead shopping centre transformed into a diverse hub with restaurants, shops, leisure facilities, new homes and a hotel.

Footfall in the centre is down 35% from pre-pandemic levels, and developers hope the project will bring the centre up to date, boosting the economy and ‘providing something for everyone’.

A spokesperson from Deeley Freed said: “This is an amazing, once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a world-class, sustainable, vibrant destination, one which will help reinvigorate Bristol’s city centre, responding positively to the changing ways we now live, work and shop.

“A change in shopping patterns, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, has led to a greater number of vacancies in the Galleries which has made the current centre’s future increasingly challenged.

“The proposals look to create a truly mixed-use and diverse scheme with restaurants, shops, community facilities and leisure destinations that support the day and night-time economy, office space, a hotel, open market and affordable homes, and student living.

The Galleries occupies five acres of the city centre and the plans aim to convert 30% of that into a ‘high-quality public realm’ with ‘new civic spaces and opportunities for urban greening’.

“Broadmead currently turns its back on Castle Park which is a missed opportunity,” added the spokesperson.

“The proposals look to reverse this along Newgate with new, vibrant pedestrian linkages into the city centre as well as terraces, with cafes and restaurants facing the park.”

Retail units and occupiers fronting onto Broadmead fall outside of the redevelopment proposals and are not part of the project.

With plans still at an early stage, developers are urging people to have their say at upcoming consultation events.

The public consultation events include:

• A webinar on Wednesday, July 13 at 6pm (register at www.galleriesfuture.com). 
• A public exhibition on Thursday, July 14 from 3 to 7pm, and Saturday, July 16 from 10:30 to 13:30, on the ground floor of the Galleries opposite Boswells Cafe. 
• Two walking tours are also being organised to discuss the opportunity Thursday, July 14 at 12pm and Saturday, JUly 16 at 13:30am. Visit the website to register. 

Vivienne Kennedy, from Broadmead BID, said: “Shops and shopping centres across the country have been struggling as they try to compete against online retailers and rising living costs, while at the same time trying to bounce back from the pandemic.

“The high street is constantly evolving, always trying to meet consumer needs as they too change, and we see mixed-use developments, with much more focus on the customer experience, as an excellent way to increase footfall, vibrancy and sustainability.

“We’d encourage people to get involved in the consultation as it’s in all our interests to get this important opportunity right.”

More information can be found on the project website: www.galleriesfuture.com.