When you think of Gloucester what comes to mind? Perhaps you think of the historic Docks that have been around for almost 200 years, or maybe the soaring cathedral rises up in your imagination.
The city is certainly grounded in rich heritage, but businesses that are thriving are looking to the future as they put their mark on the way Gloucester is shaped going forward.
SoGlos takes a closer look at five pioneering commercial projects that are making people sit up and take notice of just where the city is heading.
The Forum
A whopping 135,000 sq ft of Grade A office space is being built by Kier Construction as part of the £107 million The Forum development and the first tenants, Fasthosts, moved in this January 2025.
The jewel in the crown will be a 131-bedroom Hotel Indigo complete with rooftop bar and access to the development's 9,000 sq ft gym and business innovation hub.
Gloucester Food Dock
The £3.5 million Gloucester Food Dock opened in October 2023 thanks to Bath-based Ladybellegate Estates, bringing with it space for 15 independent foodie hot spots. As of January 2025, there are only two units left to be filled.
Championing independent food businesses, the huge glass-fronted development situated beside the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum and overlooking the waterfront at Gloucester Docks has become a must-visit destination for visitors to the city.
Greyfriars Quarter
Still at a concept stage, Gloucester City Council's bold vision for a vibrant garden quarter in the heart of the city means a complete revamp of the area around the Eastgate Shopping Centre.
Greyfriars Quarter will see a new market and foodhall, as well as a park and gardens, all set within the grounds of the 13th century Greyfriars monastery. There'll also be a multi-purpose performance space, new serviced apartments, outdoor gym, play area and cycle hub, too.
University of Gloucestershire City Campus
Bringing one of Gloucester’s iconic heritage buildings back to life, the University of Gloucestershire's newest campus will begin operating from September 2025. Once complete, the building will house nearly 4,000 students and 350 staff.
The City Campus development is a key part of the £200 million regeneration of the city centre by Gloucester City Council and its partners the Reef Group, as well as the university.
The Phoenix Village Project
The vision for the state-of-the-art Phoenix Village is for a full-service provision for care leavers and young adults who have missed out on traditional education, are not in employment, education or training, or are struggling with homelessness.
By providing supported accommodation in Gloucester, a structured program for skills training and advanced mental health provision, the new village aims to create brighter futures for those enduring hardship. In 2024, the project secured the Fleece Hotel site and was given the green light by Gloucester City Council.
