Shopping in Gloucester
The main shopping area of the city fans out from The Cross. This is where the ancient streets of Northgate, Eastgate, Southgate and Westgate meet. You will find well known national brands interspersed with independent traders.
The Westgate Quarter encompasses a growing number of small, independent shops and cafes on Westgate Street. Down the charming College Court, you can find attractive boutiques nestling in this charming thoroughfare including the House of the Tailor of Gloucester - the actual house that Beatrix Potter set her story. On College Street you will find more independent and family-run businesses set against the precinct of the breathtaking Gloucester Cathedral. There has been a quiet food revolution in Gloucester and the Westgate Quarter has an excellent delicatessen, several cafes and the odd historic pubs pecialising in local produce.
The Eastgate Shopping Centre with its magnificent portico (built in 1856), features more high street names plus there is also the indoor Eastgate Market with its plethora of stalls ranging from traditional Gloucester sausages at the butchers to a haberdashery. The market is open Monday to Saturday. Across the road is the Kings Walk Shopping Centre with stores featuring leading fashion, music and entertainment brands. There is a plaque on the floor of the centre which marks the site of one of the original Roman defensive towers.
Gloucester Quays. An outlet centre where keen shoppers can save up to 70% off well known brand names. Gloucester Quays is home to a number restaurants and cafes and hosts an annual Food Festival, Easter Home and Garden Party and the Victorian Christmas Market. The centre is currently being extended with a new £60 million leisure quarter promising 11 new restaurants and a 10-screen multiplex cinema. Gloucester Quays is just a 10 minute walk from the city centre.
Markets. The Gloucester Farmers Market takes over the Cross in the heart of the city every Friday and specialises in local produce including speciality meats, seafood, locally grown fruit and vegetables, cheeses, bread, cakes and even locally produced pies and curries. There is a definite buzz when the Farmers Market comes to Gloucester. The Cherry and White Market in Kings Square takes place every Friday and Saturday and features fruit and veg, butchers, jewellery, clothes and household items. You can find the Orchard Street Food and Craft Market at Gloucester Quays on the first Saturday and Sunday of the the month (till November 3rd and 4th). There are also specialist markets such the Italian Market, Craft Market and the award-winning Gloucester Night Market that take place from time to time.
Antiques Trail. Gloucester is blessed with several high quality antiques stores which is not surprising, considering the city’s historical heritage. There’s Fab and Faded (Longsmith Street), The Dandelion (Cross Keys Lane), The Cottage (South gate Street) and the Upstairs Downstairs (Severn Road) antiques emporium located just behind Lock Warehouse on the historic Docks has a wealth of period lighting and furniture plus much, much more.
Gloucester Antiques Centre, based at Gloucester Quays, is one of the largest and longest running antique centres in the country. With three floors and antiques from over 100 dealers, Gloucester Antiques Centre houses one of the widest collections in West England. The Antiques Centre are also organising the Gloucester Quays Antiques Fair (19-20 October) which is located on the upper deck of the shopping centre.
