2023 is not going to be just another year in the story of Gloucester’s regeneration, but actually it’s going to be a remarkable year.

The Forum buildings, including the hotel and 130,000sq ft of office space, will really be taking shape during the year, as it is expected they’ll be occupied in 2024. The University campus in the former Debenhams building should see the first students starting in January 2024, so the bulk of building works on the ground and 1st floor will be complete. It is expected that Gloucester central library may move in as well.

The introduction of significant new (non-retail) activity into the city centre will be a game changer, bringing thousands of new people into the city centre every day, supporting existing activity in the city and bringing new interest and uses. The city campus will bring 4,500 new students and around 500 new jobs to the city centre, whilst the Forum will bring over 1,000 new jobs when finished.

Bringing new residential occupation to the city centre

Westgate Street building improvements will be completed and public realm improvements largely completed by the end of 2023. This will enable developments which could bring new residential occupation to the city centre.

The Food Dock overlooking the Victoria Basin should be completed during 2023. It will be interesting to see all the different food offerings which will be provided here.
St Oswalds design, master planning and public consultation for the 300 homes to be delivered there will commence. Another 300 homes are planned for delivery off the Great Western Road railway triangle.

Railway station upgrades, including the long-awaited refurbishment of the underpass, should be completed during 2023. Improvements to access to the car park both from Bruton Way and Metz Way have already been completed.

Several dozen affordable homes at the back of Whitefriars by Gloucester City Homes should also be well-progressed in 2023.

And what else might happen during 2023? Building of new homes in Bakers Quay is on the cards. Several hundred new homes will be delivered over the coming years in Kingsway, completing the house building there.

2023 is going to be a year of memorable progress and I hope it’s a good year for you too.