WHOLESALE retail giant Costco will be coming to the county as plans for a new store in the city have been approved tonight and it will start building as soon as possible.

Firstplan Ltd has been granted permission from Gloucester City Council to redevelop the former Interbrew site in Eastern Avenue and create up to 250 jobs.

What are the plans?

The proposals to provide a 13,109m2 warehouse club and a 18 bay petrol filling station along with tyre installation and sales, were approved by the planning committee.

The site is designed to have 612 car parking spaces which includes 24 disabled spaces, 30 electrical vehicle charging spaces and 20 cycle places.

And the plans include keeping the existing access to the site off Eastern Avenue with the creation of an access directly onto the site.

This will provide an inbound left-in lane for eastbound traffic, as well as an outbound left-out lane for eastbound traffic, developers say.

The new junction will include a central reserve and signalised pedestrian and cycle crossings.

Two extra accesses will be created along Chancel Close onto the site.

The first via a priority junction with two lane entry and single lane exit for vehicles wishing to access the car park, petrol station and service yard.

The second would provide an entry-only access to the petrol filling station.

Costco bosses say the site will lead to the creation of 250 jobs within the warehouse, most of which would be expected to be recruited from the local area.

An artist's impression of the Costco in Gloucester - which has been approved by councillors  (Image: Costco Wholesale)

Costco 'excited' to open 

Costco real estate director James Cheesemore, spoke on behalf of the American firm, at the meeting at North Warehouse.

He said the proposals would lead to a significant investment in the city and reuse of a site vacant for seven years.

“The nearest locations are in Bristol and Coventry,” he said.

“Costco is excited to find an opportunity to develop a warehouse in Gloucester. Costco own the site and wish to commence the development as soon as possible.”

He said wholesale retailer operates on a membership basis and is not open to the public.

It is only open to people who fall within specific employment groups, Mr Cheesemore added.

Costco does not use zero hour contracts and he said the new site would provide employment opportunities for Gloucester, he also said.

Mr Cheesemore said the plans will lead to regeneration of a brownfield site, provide opportunities to local businesses and provide 250 direct new jobs.

Internal view of a Costco Wholesale - library image (Image: Costco Wholesale)

Traffic safety issues raised 

During the debate, Councillor Pam Tracey (C, Westgate) raised concerns about traffic along Eastern Avenue.

She said she was late to the meeting because of traffic along that road which she said is already “diabolical”.

Councillor Alastair Chambers (Community Independents, Matson, Robinswood and White City) said he visited Costco in Shirehampton and said there were tailbacks of traffic there.

He said it was a good asset for the city but raised traffic concerns and asked why there was no slip road into the site.

“Traffic will back up to the junction there,” he said. “I guarantee that will be a safety issue.”

Highways officers said they were content there was sufficient parking on site and they “do not anticipate a significant blocking back issue being caused there”.

Councillor John Jones (L, Kingsway) said he was in favour of the development. He did echo concerns over the need for more bike racks at the site.

(Image: Costco Wholesale)

"It is a wonderful addition"

But Councillor Andy Lewis (C, Quedgeley Severn Vale) disagreed and said the nature of Costco is bulk buying. “You try getting it all on a bike,” he said.

“It’s going to get rid of an eyesore. It’s been well thought out.

“But bikes carrying stuff could cause a problem.

"It is a wonderful addition to Gloucester for the people to use and maybe come from afar.

“Hopefully there will be a lot of people from Cheltenham going there as well. I can’t wait for the work to get started on it.”

Councillor Alwin Wiederhold (LD, Hucclecote) said bike parking provision is important for staff.

And Cllr Roseanna Marshall (L, Barton and Tredworth) said Costco would be an excellent addition to the city and bring people into Gloucester.

But she did say traffic is a big problem in Gloucester.

Councillor Tracey said her biggest concern was traffic but said the plans were “well thought out”. “It puts Gloucester on the map,” she said. “The city will thrive with that.”

And Cllr Chambers said overall the scheme was good and employment is key. “The location is good,” he said.

“I have massive concerns with highways but ultimately I’m not a professional in highways.

“But mark my words, that is going to be absolutely terrible. Sadly, I think I’m going to be right.

“There’s going to be a delay on Eastern Avenue. I really hope I don’t say I told you so.”

Chairman Angela Conder (LD, Kingsholm and Wotton) proposed approving the scheme and this was seconded by Cllr Tracey.

The committee voted unanimously to approve the plans.

Opening hours 

The opening hours for Costco will be from 10am to 8.30pm Monday to Friday with the site only being open to trade members from 10am to 11am.

It will also open from 9.30am to 7pm on Saturdays and 11am to 5pm on Sundays with the store opening from 10am to 6pm on bank holidays.

The petrol station will open from 6am to 9.30pm Monday to Friday and from 6am to 8pm on Saturdays.

And it will also open from 7am to 6pm on Sundays and from 6am to 6pm on bank holidays.