Gloucester is set to see a fresh wave of public art installations as city leaders approve an innovative new strategy to enhance the urban landscape. Key locations such as King’s Square, The Cross, and the stretch from Barbican Road to The Docks junction have been earmarked as prime sites for new artistic features.
One exciting proposal includes installing an iconic entrance feature at the east entrance of King’s Square, serving as a grand gateway to the area. Another focus is the Postern Gate, a historically significant but often overlooked Roman fortification entrance, which the city hopes to make more visible and educational for visitors.
The plan also envisions transforming College Street, Berkeley Street, and Barbican Road into a linear art trail featuring a diverse range of artworks—from permanent sculptures and building-integrated pieces to landscaping elements and light-based nighttime displays that highlight architectural details.
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At the Barbican Road junction with The Docks, the city proposes erecting a dramatic entrance statement to complement ‘The Candle,’ the 21-meter-high sculpture currently dominating The Docks. This feature might include metalwork, subtle lighting, and creative hard landscaping to reflect the history of the complex docks railway tracks, and aid visitors in navigating the area. Emphasizing the proximity to the River Severn, the installations also encourage exploration of the docks and shipping canal.
Although The Cross will primarily host temporary projects that celebrate Gloucester’s vibrant arts scene, permanent works there face limitations due to the site’s historic importance and conservation considerations.
Council’s Culture and Leisure Cabinet Member Caroline Courtney (LD, Tuffley) presented the report and expressed enthusiasm about reimagining public art delivery in the city. Community, education, and cultural representatives have been consulted to shape the strategy, which aims to inspire residents, attract visitors and businesses, share Gloucester’s stories—including hidden histories—and influence the city’s future look and feel.
The strategy outlines a collaborative approach, involving the council, University of Gloucestershire, and Gloucester Culture Trust. An externally funded public art director will oversee implementation, with an emphasis on engaging local residents and artists every step of the way.
Additionally, the strategy features a public art toolkit to assist anyone interested in spearheading public art projects, offering resources and contacts. It also plans to repurpose existing assets like the British Home Stores reliefs currently in storage, potentially incorporating them into the Greyfriars redevelopment.
“This isn’t just an aspirational strategy,” Cllr Courtney emphasized. “It has practical, tangible steps to make our ambitions for public art a reality. It’s a living plan with clear actions, not something to be shelved indefinitely. It gives us positive momentum toward enhancing Gloucester’s cultural landscape.”