Transformational proposals are being brought forward by Bristol-based developer Deeley Freed together with La Salle Investment Management, to comprehensively redevelop Bristol’s Galleries Shopping Centre.
A number of consultation events were held in July including a webinar, two walking tours and three exhibition days held at the Galleries. You can view the exhibition material here or visit the display boards which will remain up till the 15th August.
This is your chance to have your say, are we going in the right direction, have we missed anything or have you any concerns? You can do this by completing our feedback form or getting in touch. The consultation lasts until the 15th August.
Footfall in the centre is down 35% from pre-pandemic levels. A change in shopping patterns, accelerated by the Covid-19 pandemic, have 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. It will provide a complementary balance and range of uses that support the local community, boost the economy, address Bristol’s changing needs and priorities and ensure it continues to provide something for everyone.
The Galleries occupies five acres of the city centre. The intention is to convert 30% of this into high-quality public realm with new civic spaces and opportunities for urban greening. Broadmead currently turns it back on Castle Park which is a missed opportunity. 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.
We’d like to emphasise that we are at an early stage and the Galleries will remain open as usual for at least the next two years. We’d encourage people to continue to shop and support their local traders.
Following the end of the consultation, we will review all the feedback and update the plans. We plan to host further events in October ahead of submitting our planning application early in the New Year.
Key principles

Reinvigorate the city centre
Creating a liveable, vibrant, safe and inclusive centre, with a diverse offer and animated public areas to stimulate activity and pedestrian flow, that provides something for everyone.

Environment, social and governance
Set the collective intention to build a community of social, environmental, political, economic and human hope at the heart of its vision, that is inclusive and responsive to local priorities.

Environment
Delivering a sustainable, low carbon development that improves air quality, boost local biodiversity, maximises green areas, and positively impacts on wellbeing.

Flexible and future proof
Provides a future-proofed scheme with adaptability and flexibility of uses being key for its long term sustainability.

Relink the city with Castle Park
Opening up the Galleries to Castle Park, with much improved connectivity and cafes and restaurants along Newgate facing the park.

Three levels of active frontages
The 10m level change across the site gives opportunity for interest, activity and access at multiple levels.

Maximum urban greening
Creating a scheme will deliver significant gains in biodiversity, as well as economic and social benefits arising from a "green" focused scheme. The scheme will lead to no tree loss.

Sustainable transport
Reducing car parking by 70% and replacing the remaining 30% with active and passive electric charging provision. Providing around 1,700 new bike spaces to serve the development and a new public cycle hub.

Creating new communities
Create a new community where people want to live, work and socialise; with new homes for all, a mix of market and affordable, starter, family, downsizing and student; that are designed to reduce climate impacts and energy costs. At least 20% will be affordable.
Proposed masterplan
Overview of the illustrative scheme - click to enlarge

Latest news
December '23 Update
Tue 5th Dec 2023 at 12:20Through 2023 the team have been continuing to develop the plans and we hope to be in a position to submit an application in early Spring. Ahead of that we are keen to update everyone and will be issuing an update in mid-January and hosting a number of engagement events at the end of the month. As always, if you have any questions, please let us know.
May '23 update
Tue 2nd May 2023 at 08:23The team are continueing to develop the plans, working with Bristol City Council and the City Centre Development and Delivery Plan. We will be posting updates and holding further events this summer and looking to submit an application this Autumn.
December '22 update
Wed 14th Dec 2022 at 10:32We'd like to thank everyone who got involved in the summer consultation and provided feedback and ideas. Since then we've been reviewing all the feedback and working with Bristol City Council planning officers, further developing and refining the plans. This work is continueing and we hope to be in a position to provide further details on the plans in the Spring with an application following soon after.
Timeline
Technical due diligence, concept development and initial stakeholder engagement
2020-2022Main consultation
July and August 2022Review and refinement of plans, and ongoing stakeholder engagement
2023Pre-submission public updates and engagement events
Jan-Feb 2024Submission of application
Spring 2024Anticipated construction start
2025Subject to planning
Anticipated opening
2027Subject to planning
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