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Councillors Ashley Bowkett and Jeremy Hilton outside Debenhams in Kings Square

Councillors to debate future of Debenhams building

Councillors are set to discuss the future of the Debenhams store in Gloucester city centre later this month. Liberal Democrat councillors have tabled a motion to be debated at a meeting of the city council on March 18. The motion calls on city council leaders to work with whoever buys Debenhams to retain, restore and repurpose the building. It also calls on the council to block any attempt to demolish the Art Deco building for redevelopment. The department store in Kings Square is facing closure after Debenhams went into administration and the brand was bought by online fashion retailer Boohoo Group. All 124 stores across the country will close with the loss of 12,000 jobs as Boohoo relaunches Debenhams as an online-only retailer later this year. The building, which has been trading as Debenhams since 1973, is adjacent to the £110 million King's Quarter regeneration scheme and could be a key part of that project. It is the largest store in the city and is owned by Aviva, with recent reports suggesting it is u

10 Mar 2021
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Councillors Jeremy Hilton and Declan Wilson discuss the Lib Dem budget amendments

Gloucester Lib Dems propose freezing the council tax

Opposition councillors are proposing freezing council tax for residents in Gloucester this year. The Liberal Democrats on Gloucester City Council have tabled an amendment to the budget proposing a one-off 0% rise to council tax bills in April. It is in recognition of the huge financial strain being placed on families due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Freezing council tax in 2021/22 would cost nearly £200,000 and would be funded partly from a recently received Government grant and by maintaining the council's working balances at £1.408 million. The Conservative-run city council is proposing to increase its share of the council tax bill by 2.4%. The council tax residents in Gloucester contribute pays for services provided by the city council, county council and the police. The Liberal Democrats are also proposing to freeze off-street car parking fees for one year, which would cost £55,000 and be funded by reducing the Recovery Fund. The Conservative council is planning to increase parking charges, meaning for examp

23 Feb 2021
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Rebecca Trimnell

Give carers a break, say Lib Dems

A local Liberal Democrat who works in the social care sector is supporting calls for the Government to give carers a break by providing emergency funding to local authorities for respite care.

19 Feb 2021
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National News

People shopping in a supermarket
Cost of living

Tackling soaring food prices

British people are struggling with eye-watering food prices and yet this Conservative Government is refusing to help. Liberal Democrats are putting forward a proper plan to make food cheaper.

LD
2 May 2023
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Ed Davey
Latest UK News

Ed Davey's speech to Spring Conference

We love our country and want to transform it for the better. To build a liberal Britain, and spread real opportunity to every city, town and village across our great United Kingdom. To deliver the fair deal that the British people deserve.

LD
19 Mar 2023
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Woman in scrubs with hand on shoulder of older woman
Health, Care & the NHS

Our plan for social care

Everybody should be able to get the high-quality care they need, when they need it. But across the country, social care services are in crisis.

ED
19 Mar 2023
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