A major Gloucester employer has moved 250 staff into the new £107m Forum development in the city centre.
Technology firm Fasthosts Internet has taken 19,000 sq ft across four floors at No 2. Cathedral Walk, bringing all its employees under one roof.
The Forum is part of wider plans to regenerate the centre of Gloucester and attract high-tech firms including cyber businesses to the city, officials have said. The mixed-use development is being brought forward by Gloucester City Council in partnership with developers Reef Group.
It will provide premium office and retail space, restaurants, a Hotel Indigo (IHG Hotels) and a rooftop bar. The 398-space car park, operated by Q-Park, will include 39 spaces with electric vehicle charging points.
Rupert Bedell, chief executive 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.”
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “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 “a number” of other potential tenants are in talks to move into the building.
He added: “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.”
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