Gloucester City Council is being notably reserved regarding the causes behind the latest delays to its £107 million flagship development, The Forum. Initially hailed as a transformative project for the city’s King’s Quarter, this mixed-use development includes 135,000 sq ft of premium office and retail space, dining venues, a multi-storey car park, a rooftop bar, and a new Hotel Indigo.
However, the ambitious project on Station Road has encountered multiple setbacks. During a recent council meeting, officials attributed the delays to “teething problems” and “snagging” issues but refrained from detailing the specific complications.
A council spokesperson confirmed that early-stage delays stemmed from the unexpected discovery of an uncharted 24-inch gas main requiring intricate repairs, as well as an archaeological excavation prompted by remnants of a 13th-century Friary found on the site.
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Beyond these initial hurdles, insiders reveal further difficulties. An engineer familiar with the project reported weight-bearing concerns within the building structure, corroborated by eyewitness accounts of metal girders being installed to reinforce the framework. Additionally, there have been complications with the multi-storey car park. A council source acknowledged that some aspects of the car park’s construction required redoing, though officials described the issue as “isolated” and not related to public safety.
“We continue to work diligently to deliver a top-quality development that Gloucester and its surrounding areas can be proud of as the project nears completion,” stated a council representative. They emphasized the complexity of a project of this size and the need for meticulous attention to detail.
The spokesperson reiterated that, despite the extra work needed, there are no urgent safety concerns for the public. They also confirmed that the multi-storey car park and public open spaces are targeted to open this autumn, while recruitment efforts are well underway to welcome guests to Hotel Indigo early next year. Furthermore, No2 Cathedral Walk has been completed and is already occupied, with other office spaces structurally finished and awaiting tenant fit-outs.
In a notable highlight, The Forum recently received the Regeneration Project of the Year award at The Michelmores Property Awards 2025, with judges praising it as “frankly brilliant,” underscoring the project’s significance and potential despite ongoing challenges.