You Can Now Enjoy an Open Air Gallery on the Gate Streets

Gloucester City Council and Gloucester BID have transformed empty shops into an exhibition of colourful artwork which highlights the local community.

The Gate Streets Gallery, launched on Friday, August 6, and features vibrant portraits commissioned by Gloucester artist Russell Haines. The artworks have decorated the windows of ten empty shops on our city’s gate streets and in East Gate Shopping Centre. Throughout the gallery you can discover people who have played a part in the life of the city. The project which is also supported by the Cathedral Quarter High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ) is funded by Historic England and the European Regional Development Fund.

Following the difficulties retailers suffered during the pandemic and the gallery hopes to encourage more people into the city through cultural activities and revitalise the high street. The inspiring exhibition which trails through the City shows just how walkable the city is as well as supporting local retailers.

Councillor Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said:

“We’re delighted to have such a talented artist helping us to give a new lift to the city centre. It’s been a tough time for retailers due to the pandemic and although we’re seeing a lot of interest in our shops at the moment with new ones opening weekly we also know the nature of the high street is also changing. People want their city centres to also be about recreation and culture not just shopping and the Gate Street Gallery we hope will give visitors something a bit different to enjoy as they rediscover our city centre.”

Russell Haines, local artist who took up painting while recovering from a stroke is delighted to have his work exhibited around the city.

He said:

“It is a fantastic initiative by Gloucester City Council to brighten up our city centre in new and innovative ways. I am very excited to be able to contribute to this with some of my paintings adorning shop windows throughout the city. Covid has been particularly difficult for some of the retail and arts sector and we have to think of new ways to encourage people onto the high street so this project is an important step in encouraging people to re-visit the city centre"