Bold vision for huge car boot arena in Gloucester with concert plan for 15,000 people

How the venue would look under Reg Daldry's plans
-Credit: (Image: Reg Daldry)


A car boot and market on the edge of Gloucester could be transformed into a huge arena with space for 12,500 people at a concert and parking for 1,200 cars - if a bold vision comes to fruition. Car boot organiser Reg Daldry wants the new venue open 365 days a year at Hempsted Meadow.

The site is now used for a carboot and market but Mr Daldry has detailed his dream of a sustainable venue and says it's exactly the kind of thing that the city needs. No planning application has been made although a petition calling for support has been launched.

Gloucester Carboot and Market, which takes place every Wednesday and Sunday, sees traders set up stalls for customers to purchase items and hosts its own Flea Market. The site is located at David Hook Way just off the city’s Southern Bypass and is very dependent on the weather.

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Announcing his vision on social media, Mr Daldry said: "This is my plan for the future of Gloucester carboot and market, turn this site into a 365 day venue so we are not weather dependent, the roof completely covered in solar and this will put Gloucester on the map again. This will cater for 12,500 people standing at a concert, 1,200 cars and 150 charging points. I’m waiting on the council but I’m trying me hardest to push for this and get things moving. Fingers crossed we will have an answer soon for the site."

Images show how the proposed car boot arena would look
Images show how the proposed car boot arena would look -Credit:Reg Daldry

The petition says the new facility will “revitalise our community and put Gloucester on the map as a vibrant destination for events and entertainment” and “would enable the carboot to run all year round without any cancellation.”

Creating a fully-covered space with a solar panel roof, providing ample parking and bringing economic growth to Gloucester is what Reg believes this new venue would do, describing it as “game-changer.” Reg said: “It would be great for the city and Gloucester needs something like this to bring people out and give something back into hospitality. Gloucester has not got anything like this and the city centre is falling apart in my honest opinion.”

The petition adds that it “will create a unique space for our community to enjoy entertainment, arts, and cultural events without being dependent on weather conditions.”

People have been reacting to the proposals
People have been reacting to the proposals -Credit:Reg Daldry

A spokesperson for Gloucester City Council said: “We have not received a formal planning application of this nature for this site. If one is received, we will review it as we would with all planning applications. We are about to undertake a process to put the site on the open market to agree a new lease, and will ensure this is done in a transparent and robust manner."

A link to the petition can be found here.

People have been having their say on the suggestions.

It would transform the area
It would transform the area -Credit:Reg Daldry


The plans appear to have gone down well on Facebook. A number of people have posted supportive comments.

Jen Cole said: "This would be amazing, for the boot sales, markets, antique and collectors fairs as well as an entertainment venue, well done. Here’s hoping our Council embrace your vision and it will become a not too distant reality."

Zoe Cliffe said: "What an amazing plan. I hope the council recognise the good this will do for the city, Let’s hope it get the thumbs up."

How the car boot arena could look
How the car boot arena could look -Credit:Reg Daldry

Vix Ela said: "Looks amazing, Reg. Would mean boots are not cancelled due to weather, multi-purpose venue for many things."

Angela Knowles said: "It looks great, I love going to the carboot and it would be good to have it undercover. It would be good to go some where for music too. I live in Hempsted , on main road, and I hear the music and fireworks from the rugby club and it doesn't bother me.

"It's good to have somewhere to go and if they kept to the music down or off after a certain time it would be great . Good luck Reg."

But Rhiannon Byron said: "Definitely don’t want a music venue - we live very local to the site and the noise would be a big issue for residents. Also don’t think the local roads are big enough for that number of cars."

It was in April 2023 that demolition boss Reg Daldry of Gloucester-based UK Demolition & Construction announced that he was bringing the car boot back. This was three years after the sale 'moved' to Ross-on-Wye after the previous operator was told their licence would not be renewed.

After the site was vacant, it was used as a Covid-19 testing site during the pandemic. A whole infrastructure of temporary road surfaces and buildings were put in place.

The three acre site, off the bypass, is prone to flooding and can only be used during good weather. The management of the site was marketed through a third-party by Gloucester City Council.