Fasthosts unveils new office space in £107m Gloucester city centre development

Published
Internet services and web hosting provider Fasthosts Internet Ltd has unveiled its new high-specification office space at The Forum in Gloucester city centre.

Taking all 19,000 sq ft in No2. Cathedral Walk, the technology firm welcomed its staff to site this week with a champagne reception to officially open the space.

Fasthosts have brought all areas of operation and 250 employees under one roof in moving to The Forum, with bespoke fit-outs across four floors.

Rupert Bedell, CEO of Fasthosts, said: “Having our whole team under one roof is fantastic for the company. Our collaborative break-out spaces have already allowed for new ideas and new initiatives to be developed. Since we’ve moved in, we’ve seen a complete change in how our employees feel, it’s the perfect space for them with plenty of natural light, different areas to work and spaces to relax too.

“As one of the biggest employers, we’re looking forward to playing our part in the city’s regeneration and we are looking forward to working with Gloucester City Council, our MP, and other businesses in Gloucester.”

Fasthosts operate a hot-desk policy throughout the building, with staff putting their equipment into lockers at the end of each day, meaning different departments and teams regularly interact.

The space has a kitchenette on each floor, as well as a large kitchen and social space on the fourth floor, which leads out onto a shared balcony. There are numerous break out spaces, a training room, and a multi-faith room too.

At the heart of the wider regeneration of Gloucester city centre, The Forum is a mixed-use development brought forward Gloucester City Council in partnership with developers Reef Group. It will provide premium office space, retail space, restaurants, a Hotel Indigo (IHG Hotels) and a rooftop bar.

Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, added: “I’m delighted to see a Fasthosts take residence in The Forum, a key milestone in this multi-million pound development transforming our city. The Forum is becoming a hub for innovation, and with Fasthosts’ presence, the city is well-positioned to attract further investment and create a dynamic environment for future growth. Congratulations to Fasthosts in this exciting new chapter for Gloucester."

Pete Langly-Smith, managing director at Reef Group, said: “To have tenants in occupation is hugely rewarding and we’d like to extend the warmest welcome to the Fasthosts team.

“We are in conversation with a number of other occupiers to sit alongside Fasthosts, all of whom have been attracted to The Forum for its quality, connectivity and sustainability credentials. 2025 is an exciting year for The Forum, with Hotel Indigo and its rooftop bar opening in the summer as the final phase of the scheme.”

Sustainability is at the heart of The Forum, which features one of the largest vertical gardens in the South West with its 600 square metre living wall. To promote sustainable travel, The Forum is next to Gloucester’s new 6.4m bus station and the train station, and has bicycle parking on-site.

The 398-space car park, operated by Q-Park, will include 39 spaces with electric vehicle charging points.

When complete, the Forum will offer:

·         A sustainably built, mixed used development: built to a BREEAM rating of Excellent and net-zero carbon in operation.

·         135,000 sq ft of Grade A office space: providing flexibility for companies to adapt their work environment as teams grow.

·         Hotel Indigo, IHG Hotels: the upscale brand hotel will open as a 131-bedroom boutique hotel, including a restaurant, conferencing facilities and rooftop cocktail bar.

·         Car park – Q-Park: 398-space car park, with 39 electric vehicle charging points.

·         Green-commute friendly transport options: situated adjacent to the Gloucester transport hub, including the £6.4m new bus station and the train station, as well as providing bicycle parking on-site.

·         Stunning views of the city centre, cathedral and surrounding countryside.

·         Retail space: Tesco has relocated a Tesco Express within the development.

·         Whitefriars: 19 award winning apartments designed to minimise energy use, including the use of air source heat pumps, low energy light fittings, and sustainable materials. The apartments won Small Residential Development of the Year at the Insider South West Residential Property Awards 2024.

To discover more about The Forum, visit www.forumdigital.co.uk.