The final units at Kingsway Local Centre have been sold, marking a significant milestone in a bold 20-year development on the edge of Gloucester.
Developer Robert Hitchins Ltd and Persimmon have sold the last six units (5,000 sq ft in total) in Phase 2 of the Local Centre as investments to convenience store operator Kodee Subramaniam and Harkalm Investments.
Other occupiers in the Local Centre include a healthy mix of independents and national retailers: Sue Ryder, Tesco Express, Pizza Hut, Badham Pharmacy, Kingsway Veterinary Surgery and the Blue Orchid restaurant. A former farm building was converted into a Marston’s pub, The Barn Owl.
Kingsway has emerged on the site of the former RAF Quedgeley.
In 2003 Quedgeley Urban Village Ltd, a consortium including Robert Hitchins, Persimmon and Taylor Wimpey, obtained planning permission for a mixed-use scheme on the 340-acre former home of RAF Quedgeley.
The masterplan included 3,300 homes, a 40-acre employment site, community and leisure facilities, retail, sports area and primary school.
Phase 1 of the Local Centre, including occupiers Tesco and Countrywide plc, was completed in 2013. An ASDA store opened in the same year at the entrance to the new housing development.
Robert Hitchins then refurbished Avionics House which provides 16,000 sq ft of office accommodation.
QUVL constructed a new community centre, sports pavilion, BMX track, sports fields and trim trail which were handed over to Gloucester City in August 2014.
In the pipeline are much-awaited developments for a new healthcare centre and a family restaurant/public house, both of which are the subject of planning applications currently being considered by Gloucester City Council.
Senior Development Manager for Robert Hitchins, Michael Plimmer, said the recent sales are a vote of confidence in both the local economy and in Kingsway.
“The units are built to a high standard with good environmental credentials, mains services and lots of parking. The fact that they are at the heart of a vibrant residential area let to good covenants on long-term leases has been a major factor for prospective buyers.”
The joint agents for the Local Centre were KBW chartered surveyors and Johnson Associates.
