Work is due to begin on 19 apartments and 5,000 square metres of retail space around King’s Square in Gloucester, after a family-run building firm EG Carter from the city secured the contract to go ahead.
Anyone who follows any of the Tuffley business’s social media feeds will know it has already been transforming the square itself in recent months.
But now it also takes charge of the first phase of the £85 million The Forum development proper, after being appointed by Gloucester City Council which has developed the scheme with Reef Group.
And it will not be hanging around – with work expected to start next week with completion expected in summer 2022.
Sam Carter, director at E G Carter & Co Ltd, said: ‘Forum is set to become a key part of Gloucester’s future identity, and it’s very exciting to have a role in creating this landmark space.’
Councillor Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: ‘The Forum which is set to be a transformative scheme for Gloucester, helping to make it a fantastic, ‘future ready’ place to live, work and visit.’
Esther Croft, development director at Reef Group, said: ‘The award of the contract to build Phase One is another hugely important step towards making our vision of a thriving new digital campus for Gloucester a reality.
It is set to be one of the UK’s first truly integrated digital communities, with the space and infrastructure to create a seamless link between city centre living and working.’
Phases One and Two are part of the 600,000 sq ft masterplan which also includes a multi-storey car park, alongside over one acre of public realm and landscaping work, 125,000 sq ft of office space, a shared workspace club and an innovation hub designed for cyber and incubator businesses.
There will also be a four-star hotel, a 9,000 sq ft gym, restaurants and bars.
By Andrew Merrell
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