The transformation of the former Debenhams building in Gloucester is entering an exciting new phase as the construction hoarding is being removed. The University of Gloucestershire’s City Campus, housed within the 20,000sqm landmark in Kings Square, is slated to open later this year, marking a significant milestone for the city.
Set over five floors, the first two levels will begin hosting teaching activities from summer 2025. On May 21, the ground-floor windows along Northgate Street and The Oxebode were unveiled, with parking temporarily suspended until May 23 to accommodate final preparations.
Rebecca Trimnell, County Councillor for Hempsted and Westgate, expressed enthusiasm for the project. “It is a long time coming, but absolutely worth the wait,” she said. “This development is a university fit for Gloucester’s future. We are eager to see it come alive and to welcome the students into this innovative learning environment.”
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The ground floor will feature a shared space including the county library, relocated from Brunswick Road, alongside the students’ union and flexible areas for teaching and events. The space will also serve business engagement purposes and house a student-led law clinic providing free legal advice and offering hands-on training opportunities.
The second floor promises advanced facilities such as a 160-seat lecture theatre and an immersive virtual reality room. Additionally, a specialized electroencephalogram (EEG) lab will allow students to study brain electrical activity under various conditions. The building will host health, arts, and wellbeing treatment rooms operated by Gloucestershire NHS Integrated Care Board.
To maintain historical authenticity, the university commissioned Crittall Windows—the original 1930s fabricator—to recreate the building’s iconic windows using modern double-glazed designs for greater energy efficiency.
Acquired in March 2021, the former Debenhams building is central to the University’s vision of driving regional growth and forging strong community partnerships. The revival of this iconic structure will transform it into a vibrant hub of education, innovation, and cultural activity.
“The graduates trained here will fill crucial roles supporting the future of our region,” a university spokesperson stated. “This project is set to contribute over £700 million in economic value to Gloucester in the coming years.”
The university’s construction partner, Morgan Sindall Group, alongside ADP Architecture’s multi-disciplinary design team, have collaborated closely to bring this ambitious vision to reality, anchoring the university firmly within Kings Square’s community life.