I said at the start of 2018 that the year would be one of “openings and anniversaries” and “when it all starts to come together”. I believe the events of the last twelve months have proved both to be true.

We certainly celebrated the 1100th anniversary of the death of Aethelflaed and the 375th anniversary of the Siege of Gloucester in style, gaining national and international coverage. We saw the opening of our new bus station, the completion of Project Pilgrim at Gloucester Cathedral, and the restoration of Llanthony Priory and phase one of Bakers Quay (the new Premier Inn, Beefeater, Costa and Provender apartment building).

Other projects have started on site, including the new Next home and fashion store at the Peel Centre, the Discover DeCrypt project at St Mary de Crypt in Southgate Street and the housing development at Black Dog Way (all due for completion in March). Not to mention McCarthy & Stone’s retirement living complex and the Crest Nicholson Monk Meadow development alongside the canal.

Our focus for 2019 is the core city centre

Our focus for 2019 is very much the core city centre. I expect works to prepare the former BHS store in Eastgate Street for a new tenant and improvements to the Kings Walk mall and car park to start fairly early in the year, with Kings Square anticipated to be on site in the Autumn. That will certainly be something to celebrate. If our bid to the Government’s Cultural Development Fund is successful, Kings House (where Chambers pub is) will be transformed into a ‘cultural entrepreneurs hub’ – a workspace for the creative industries.

The City Council will also relocate from its Docks offices to move in with the County Council at Shire Hall, bringing more people to work in Westgate Street and freeing up the Docks warehouses for regeneration – ideally as a quality hotel.

2019 will also see the return of the Tall Ships Festival on the second May bank holiday weekend. I believe this year’s event will be the best yet. As well as bringing a number of stunning vessels into the Docks, which is always a sight to behold, this year’s festival takes on an adventure theme, with some exciting spectacles in store. Early bird tickets are available from the website www.eventbrite.co.uk.

2019 promises to be a year of continued progress for the city. I hope it brings you everything you and your family wish for too.