This is something slightly different: not a big global or national issue but a very specific local one: what’s happening at Gloucester’s Walls Club? The Walls Club matters to many people - football teams, charities, Gloucester Rotary, all sorts of family and community events, birthdays, weddings - you name it - a big and very precious community space tucked away off Barnwood Road. The Club is owned by Walls of Gloucester (ice cream) which continues to expand and is the city’s largest manufacturer. Some years ago Walls decided not to run the club directly and it is extremely unfortunate that their tenant has gone into liquidation - which in turn has understandably led to speculation about what Walls intends to do next. Some people have told me ‘it’s going to be sold for development’. I’ve had several conversations with Walls and the truth is simple. Walls wants the Club to continue as a community entity forever and is not trying to generate a commercial return from it. |