Lib Dems welcome £20m leveling up grant 

Liberal Democrat councillors on Gloucester City Council have welcomed the news the city is to receive £20 million from the Government's Leveling Up Fund.

The decision was announced in the Chancellor's Budget statement on Wednesday.

Councillor Jeremy Hilton, Lib Dem group leader, said: "The three group leaders met ahead of the local elections to agree on the three projects the council would bid for and tasked officers to prepare the bid document.

"The bid went in shortly after the elections and was sent in with all party approval. I was happy to endorse it for the Lib Dem group and I am delighted that the council has secured £20 million towards three important regeneration projects.

"At long last we may see the restoration of the historic Fleece Hotel. The £9.5 million towards the new university campus in the old Debenhams building will drive this project forward and the £4 million for the digital innovation centre will bring in much needed high tech jobs."

The three projects are:

- Debenhams (£9.5 million) a new campus for the University of Gloucestershire

- Restoration of the Fleece Hotel (£6.5 million)

- The Forge (£4 million) a new digital innovation centre on phase two of the Kings Quarter project