Gloucester: The Fleece pub could become enterprise hub

Phoenix Village will be a place people can live, work and socialise

A disused pub could be transformed into an enterprise hub for young people.

The Phoenix Village Project hopes to create a 'one-stop' for 16-21 year olds struggling with unemployment and homelessness in Gloucester.

It is hoped plans will breathe new life the Fleece pub on Westgate Street, which has sat empty since 2002.

The mixed-use scheme will also include food, retail and leisure opportunities. The council now intends to apply for grant funding for the project.

A business plan for the historic site is currently being drawn up, which also includes the neighbouring Longsmith Street Car park and former Gloucestershire Academy of Music building on Mercers Entry.

Marksteen Adamson, CEO of the Phoenix Village project, said: "Young adults in Gloucestershire will have a chance to come in and train, we will give them purposeful activity as well as accommodation.

"What we want to do is bring in businesses who can also be part of it who can give employment and work experience to young people who have fallen through the gaps."

The Fleece on Westgate Street has sat empty since 2002

The plans have been put forward after it was revealed last month that millions of pounds set aside for the buildings planned revamp into a boutique hotel had been redirected.

More than £6m of funding was reallocated to the Forum and new University of Gloucestershire City Centre Campus, after interest from developers Dowdeswell Group "fell away".

Mr Adamson added: "The Fleece is another piece of history which has been neglected for decades.

"The main reason why nothing has happened with that is because if you just take The Fleece on its own it's not financially viable.

"Our funding will come from capital investment as well as grants. Our enterprise business will run the operations, and we have the charity which run the academy and all the training."

The historic building, which dates back to the 1200s, has been under the council's ownership for 13 years and is on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register.