GLOUCESTER Green in the centre of Oxford could soon be revamped into a “piazza”.

The square’s new owner, NewRiver Retail, has put together plans which involve redeveloping the George Street cinema and removing the taxi rank.

In a document seen by the Oxford Mail, the firm has outlined proposals which include redeveloping the “dated” cinema with cafes or restaurants on the ground floor and the cinema above.

A performance space could be included in the centre of the new piazza, the document said.

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At a meeting of Oxford City Council on Monday evening Carfax city councillor Ruthi Brandt asked council leader Bob Price what stage talks are at with the developer.

Mr Price said: “The council is not in negotiations with NewRiver at the present time.

“The developer approached the council and expressed an interest in joint working and has shown some initial concept drawings.”

City council spokesman Chofamba Sithole said: “NewRiver capital fund managers purchased the Gloucester Green retail units from Aviva last year. They wish to invest further in Gloucester Green and have approached the city council with initial development sketches.

“These include proposals as to how the Odeon cinema site, which is owned by the council, might be included in a wider regeneration scheme.

“The council is considering the principle of development, but no decisions have been made. The cinema building is leased to Odeon Cinemas, and the council has not had discussions with Odeon at this stage as this would be premature.”

Since last August the market in Gloucester Green has been run by two private firms – Geraud and LSD Promotions – rather than the city council.

Charles Spooner, associate director at NewRiver Retail, said: “We’re making great progress with various opportunities being explored which we look forward to sharing in due course.

“We are excited to try and activate the space into a real community, retail and leisure hub.”

It is very untidy but it’s been around for a long time and it probably does need smartening up.

WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK

Oxford Mail:

  • Christine Borer

Christine Borer, 66, Long Hanborough, retired There’s such a lot of potential there that’s wasted.

 

Oxford Mail:

  • Andrew Beal

Andrew Beal, 56, Blackbird Leys, assistant facilities manager at the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries It’s a bit of a wasted space when the market’s not there.

Oxford Mail:

  • Silke Zahrir

Silke Zahrir, 46, South Oxfordshire, graduate studies administrator The idea that there’s going to be greater use sounds like a good thing.

Oxford Mail:

 

The idea that there’s going to be greater use sounds like a good thing.

Robert Travers, 66, North Oxford, educational consultant


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