Gloucester’s focus on city centre regeneration is set to move forward as the impressive £115 million Forum development officially opens its doors. Located off Station Road, the new landmark boasts a four-star hotel, a 399-space multi-storey car park, and over 106,000 square feet of modern office space.
The opening ceremony attracted developers, city leaders, and key stakeholders, including Gloucester City Council’s Liberal Democrat leader, Jeremy Hilton. He praised the Forum as a flagship project that has revitalised the King’s Quarter, describing it as a “superb facility” and a 21st-century icon set to serve the city for decades.
The Forum is expected to become a bustling hub with around 1,000 employees working on-site. Cllr Hilton highlighted its potential to energise nearby Kings Square, aiding efforts to fill vacant shops and attract new businesses. The recent opening of the Coro Lounge is an early indicator of this positive momentum, drawing on increased foot traffic from Forum workers and visitors. The council is actively encouraging other restaurateurs to establish a presence in the area.
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Former Conservative leader Richard Cook, who played a key role in advancing the project, voiced enthusiasm about the Forum’s future. He noted ongoing efforts to secure full tenancy and foresees the building becoming a vital city centre asset, complementing the university’s presence across Kings Square.
Looking ahead, the council’s regeneration priorities include the redevelopment of the indoor market at Eastgate Shopping Centre, part of the broader Greyfriars regeneration initiative dubbed “the next big job.” Significant progress is visible, with many units vacated and external refurbishments underway.
Additional projects include funding efforts for the Baker’s Quay redevelopment and the sale of the former council offices at Herbert, Kimberley, and Phillpotts warehouses, paving the way for their transformation.
A longer-term ambition remains the redevelopment of the historic Fleece Hotel, a challenging site currently secured and stabilised but hindered by funding constraints and negative equity issues.
To manage these diverse projects, the council is developing a comprehensive masterplan to determine optimal uses for key sites, many of which are clearly visible from the Forum’s new rooftop bar.
Further regeneration around Kings Square is expected, supported by council-owned properties and the increased activity sparked by the Forum, hotel, and Coro Lounge. However, some sites like Spread Eagle Court, still privately owned, present more complex challenges with limited council resources available for development.
Special meetings are planned to assess difficult projects such as Spread Eagle Court and the Station Hotel, focusing on potential restoration and adaptive reuse.
With the Forum now operational, Gloucester’s city centre regeneration is gaining fresh momentum, blending new development with strategic planning to unlock the potential of remaining ‘eyesore’ sites and transform the urban landscape.