Work set to begin on phase two of The Forum

Recently announced contractors Kier are ready to start enabling works on the second phase of The Forum that will include the development of Grade A workspace, a 4-star hotel, rooftop restaurant and state-of-the-art digital conference facilities, as well as a wellness centre and members club.

Phase one is already under construction and will see 43 one, two and three-bedroom apartments; cafes, bars, and restaurants and 5,000 sq ft of retail space which will be occupied by Tesco. This phase is due to complete by autumn 2022.

Market Parade will partially close from Monday, March 7 to allow phase two to begin and a diversion for vehicles will be in place.

To allow for the closure, the 94 Bus Service will stop at the bus station instead although pedestrians can still access the area and the Kings Walk Shopping Centre car park will also remain accessible.

The Forum, which is being brought forward by Gloucester City Council and its partners Reef Group is due to be completed in summer 2024.

It’s set to attract a mix of tech businesses from start-ups to big occupiers, tapping into the booming digital and cyber-technology industry, as well as providing workspace suitable for ‘hybrid’ working.

The development is part of the massive multi-million pound regeneration scheme underway in the city centre that includes the revamp of Kings Square into a world class events space.

Jon Topping, Head of Policy and Resources at Gloucester City Council, said: “This is a significant milestone for this development which will help to make the city a ‘future ready’ place to live, work and visit. Not only will it allow us to nurture home grown talent and develop skills locally but attract talented people from across the region to come and help invest in our city.”

Esther Croft, Development Director at Reef Group, said: “It’s exciting to be able to start this next phase of the works which will totally transform this part of the city. This development will really set Gloucester ahead of the game in establishing the city as a centre for technological and digital innovation.”

Click on the link for a map of the closure (PDF, 111.9 KB) for more information. For more on The Forum visit www.forumdigital.co.uk