Huge £20m bid to ‘make Matson and Robinswood an even better place to live’
Gloucester will get £20m for improvements in Matson and Robinswood over the next decade and residents will help decide where it is spent.
The Government’s new Pride in Place programme fund will see £2m spent each year in the area.
This money be spent on anything from park improvements to fixing up empty buildings and shopping areas, but it is up to residents to decide what they want to do.
The fund relies on residents coming together to submit ideas for how to spend the £20 million and a call will go out for people to volunteer to sit on a local board that will help coordinate the project.
Labour MP Alex McIntyre, who campaigned for the funding, said: “Local people know their area better than anyone else and that is why the Government has decided to do things differently with Pride in Place.
“This is our chance to improve our area by giving residents the opportunity to shape the plans and make the big decisions.
“It is a pot of money intended to make Matson and Robinswood an even better place to live.
“When I was elected, I promised to fight for our city and to fight for areas like Matson and Robinswood that has been promised investment and regeneration for so long. I am really proud to have delivered on this promise.
“This £20 million will change lives over the next decade, and I will make sure it’s spent where local people need it most.”
Mr McIntyre is urging residents to share their views to shape how the money is invested.
The funding boost has been welcomed by Community Independent Councillor Alastair Chambers.
He represents Matson at Gloucestershire Coutny Council as well as at Gloucester City Council where he also represents Robinswood.
He believes it provides a “real opportunity” for communities.
“People here don’t lack pride or ambition,” he said. “What they need is proper, long‑term investment that strengthens local jobs, services, and opportunities — not short‑term handouts or decisions dictated from Westminster.
“This money must be spent on things that genuinely improve residents’ lives and secure the long‑term economic future of our neighbourhoods.
“I work with residents in Matson and Robinswood day in, day out. I see what works, what doesn’t, and what people are asking for.
“That’s why this funding must be shaped by local voices and focused on real outcomes — safer streets, better services, stronger opportunities, and neighbourhoods people are proud to call home.”
The City Council’s Liberal Democrat leader Jeremy Hilton (Kingsholm and Wotton) said he hopes the decade‑long commitment will help strengthen community connections, improve essential local spaces and support residents to shape the future of their neighbourhood.
“Local residents, groups, and businesses will help guide how the money is spent and I will learn from a government webinar next week about next steps,” he said.
Funding will be overseen locally by a Neighbourhood Board, bringing together residents, businesses, community organisations, councillors and others to decide priorities and ensure the investment addresses the area’s needs effectively.