The redevelopment of Portsmouth’s City Centre could improve retail and cultural offerings in the area.
The Portsmouth City Centre development strategy put forward last year stated that 100 years ago the City Centre was a ‘vibrant residential neighbourhood’ situated next to a dockyard with Victoria Park and The Guildhall to the South.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson recently stated in a cabinet meeting that the land “has to be used for more than just flats” and stated that the council would strive to provide more facilities including a cinema.
The council leader commented: “Residents want to see a stronger retail offer in Commercial Road and the city council will work with landlords and retailers to do everything it can to improve the shopping offer.
“I don't know if we're going to be successful but I think we should make every effort possible to try to make sure that the shopping offer is as strong as possible. That's what people expect Commercial Road to be”.
Last year, Portsmouth City Council bought a former Sainsbury's site as part of regeneration plans to improve the city and open up new opportunities for long-term development.
Council leader Gerald Vernon-Jackson said the acquisition of the Sainsbury's site meant that Portsmouth City Council could now have the opportunity to turn their plans into action.
He said: “We've got the best chance we've had in a generation to make something happen in the city centre where there's been dereliction and decay for too long”.
The planning application for the development includes more than 2,000 homes and is expected to be submitted next month with an aim to start redevelopment work in 2024.
Council leader Vernon-Jackson added that the City Centre development scheme could also include a lending library, taking inspiration from a 'hugely successful' project in Southsea.
The cabinet member for culture, Ben Dowling, said that the council has been pushing to ensure that work on the City Centre will be brought forward.
Dowling added: “We're now at the stage where the future is becoming today and we can start to see some of it come to fruition.”
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