Proposed Buildings

I Proposed Buildings (areas marked brown on map; number of storeys bracketed in bold)

1. EXTENSIONS TO KINGS ARMS HOTEL (1- 2)

2. COMMERCIAL BUILDING (3- 4)

3. ARCADE WITH SHOPS (2) on the same level as King's Square, rear access servicing from lower level.

It is probably due to the invention of artificial daylight lighting that the shopping arcade is returning, via the New Towns, to the English scene. It is peculiarly suited to our wet climate, although its origins can be found in countries requiring protection from sun. The continuous arcades of Nash's Regent Street have disappeared, but a good small local example is the Pump Room at Cheltenham. Those at mediaeval Chester are well known. Historically such arcades or colonnades were more than a convenience, and they were usually associated and contrasted with a splendid environment. Consider the Stoa of Attalos at Athens: 'It is now possible to visualise this noble centre in relation to the adjoining Acropolis. The Stoa is broad, with shops on one side, and was a dignified setting for casual conversation and discussion.'

SHOPS along Northgate Street (3)

CONFERENCE HALL (2 - 3), VIEW TERRACE, AND RESTAURANT ABOVE with access from arcade and from courtyard at lower level behind. Linked to car park by pedestrian bridge.

4. MULTIPLE STORE (4)

5. MULTI-LEVEL CAR PARK (4), open sided, shops on lower level. New road passes under.

6. SHOPS (2 above King's Square) with rear service access below.

7. SHOPS (3 above King's Square)

8. HOTEL (10 above King's Square) 84 bedrooms, public rooms on top floors. Ground floor and first floor shops. Service access and car park beneath King's Square from north. Main entrance from forecourt in King's Square.

9. SHOPPING MALL (2)

10. STORE (3)

11. SHOP (3) Upper floors bridging over extension to New Inn Lane.

12. STORE AND SHOPS FACING EASTGATE STREET. (3) Upper floors bridging over King's Place with kiosk under.

13. SHOPS (2 on Eastgate Street, 2 - 3 on New Market Arcade)

14. MARKET (2 - 3) with car park underneath. Access from service court.

15. RESIDENTIAL (4)

16. TECHNICAL COLLEGE EXTENSION (1 - 6 as already planned)

17. PROPOSED FUTURE EXTENSION TO TECHNICAL COLLEGE (4) Upper storeys spanning existing Southgate Street.

18. COURTYARD HOUSES (1 - 2) AND

19. FLATS (1 - 2) Overall housing scheme by City Architect's Department

20. EXTENSION TO KING'S SCHOOL (1 - 2)

21. GARAGE (2)

22. SHOPS, GARAGES AND OFFICES (3) mainly connected with the motor industry. Could incorporate new Methodist Church and Sunday School.

23. SHOPS OR OFFICES OR WALLED GARDENS (2)

24. OFFICES (3)

25. OFFICES AND SHOWROOM (3)

26. OFFICES AND SHOWROOMS (3 - 4)

27. CIVIC CENTRE AND COUNCIL CHAMBER (3)

The antecedent of the Civic Centre was the Bothall, first mentioned in Corporation records in 1230, and built on the site of the present Shire Hall in Westgate Street. It was used as a market, as the headquarters of the Guild Merchants also for the holding of the king's and other courts. This association with the market was kept when both Guildhall and Market were moved to Eastgate Street in the nineteenth century, and looked at each other across the street. It is therefore of interest that these two historic companions, greatly enlarged, have gravitated again together towards the south-east.

28. COLLEGE OF ART (4 - 5), spanning across road.

29. EXTENSION TO COUNTY HALL OFFICES

30. MULTI-STOREY CAR PARKS (4)