Hip to be Square Live music plans for landmark site
KINGS Square is coming back as Gloucester’s place to be, with the city council’s new culture and leisure chief seeing big screen sports and live music events in its future.
“All the young people and university students in town will then have somewhere to go. It’s going to be brilliant – a big open space that will get people into the city centre,” says Councillor Andy Lewis, new cabinet member for culture and leisure.
Cllr Lewis (Con, Quedgeley Severn Vale) is to replace Councillor Steve Morgan (Con, Grange) in the role at the end of the month.
At the forefront of Cllr Lewis’ plans is the regeneration of Kings Square, which he hopes will soon become a popular space for live events. He said: “We’ve got big ambitions. “I’m hoping Kings Square can be used for events.
“We want to host live music shows and show big sports games on a big screen there.”
But Cllr Lewis admits that this process may take some time, with building work at Kings Square not expected to finish until the start of next year.
He explains: “These things obviously take time, and culture changes don’t just happen overnight.
“It’s an exciting time for Gloucester, and I just hope people will appreciate it. It’ll be good to freshen up the city and give people somewhere new to go”
Cllr Lewis was quick to thank Cllr Morgan for the work that he has done in the role over the last two years.
He said: “I’m very grateful for the work that has gone on before me and hopefully now I can reap the benefits and push the city towards where it should be.”
Cllr Morgan said he really enjoyed the cabinet position despite it being a challenging role.
He says he is extremely pleased with the progress they have made with the Gloucester Culture Trust, Kings House, and the fact the city will have an opportunity to host outdoor activities in Kings Square.
“I’ve worked with a lot of super people in the creative and artistic industries,” he said.
“We’ve moved the culture scene in Gloucester further along. It’s never fast enough but we are making good progress.
“I was a bit torn because I was thinking about staying on until Kings Square was up and running.
“But I decided a short while ago that it was time for someone else to bring fresh energy and a fresh viewpoint.”
Cllr Morgan, who has been a councillor for more than 19 years, said he will continue to serve his city council ward.