Ambitious plans to transform The Galleries shopping mall in Bristol city centre into a mixed-use development have been submitted to the city council.
Bristol-based developer Deeley Freed has spent the past four years working with The Galleries’ owner LaSalle Investment Management on the project to replace the 70-store centre, which opened in 1991, with several hundred flats, offices and a hotel as well as new retail units. 
Deeley Freed has described the new scheme as a “once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a world-class, sustainable, vibrant destination”.
The firm said if approved, the scheme would provide a major boost to the city, delivering much-needed housing and workspace as well as responding to the changing retail environment.
It would also transform the site into a much more diverse and landscape-rich environment, said Deeley Freed, creating a day and night-time destination which focuses on community, place and bringing people back to the city centre. 
The outline plans include up to 450 homes, 20% affordable; 10,000sqm of ground floor space for retail, leisure, food and beverage, health, and community uses; modern, highly sustainable employment space of around 40,000 sq m, a 250-room hotel or aparthotel, up to 750 student beds and 1.5 acres of high-quality public realm and green space.
Deeley Freed director Max Freed said: “We’re delighted to have submitted this planning application after a lengthy pre-application process.
“This is a vital scheme for Bristol and we’re very thankful to all those who have got involved in the consultation that has been going on for four years.
“This is a once-in-a-generation chance to re-invent, revitalise and modernise such a large part of the city centre.”
He said the firms’ vision involved completely transforming what was an inward-looking, 1980’s shopping centre, making the site more diverse, safe and green.
“The development opens up the city centre to Castle Park, with a real focus on addressing Bristol’s priorities around housing, health and wellbeing, climate, ecology, tourism and the economy,” he added.
“In response to feedback through the planning process, we’ve increased the public open space, incorporated more community space and reduced the height of the tallest element.”
When the refurbishment was first made public two years ago Deeley Freed, which has been responsible for some of the biggest property schemes in Bristol over recent decades, said footfall in The Galleries was down 35% from pre-pandemic levels.
The application is expected to be live on Bristol City Council’s planning portal shortly with determination anticipated later this year. The shopping centre remains open as usual.
