Gloucester City Council and Reef Group’s new technology campus in the heart of Gloucester is set to get underway this year following the appointment of Kier as main contractor on the £107m project.
The Forum will provide 135,000 sq. ft. of Grade A workspace for tech firms, tapping into the booming digital and cyber-technology industry, alongside a 130 room 4* hotel, rooftop restaurant and bar, state-of-the-art digital conference facilities, a wellness centre and a member’s club and rooftop bar. The project will also delver 43 one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and new cafes, bars and restaurants at street level.
£5 million of funding is being accessed from the levelling-up fund, a Government fund to support the regeneration of town centres and high streets and the provision of new transport infrastructure across the UK regions. The £5 million levelling-up funding will support The Forge – a high-tech ‘incubator’ hub for fledgling businesses in the tech and digital sectors based at The Forum. The Forum is part of wider regeneration underway in the city centre and a central part of the council’s King’s Quarter regeneration, which will deliver two acres of pedestrianised public space.
Kier’s local Gloucester office will deliver The Forum focusing on local supply chains to ensure investment remains in the local economy, the contractor will also create a physical and virtual on-site learning hub to provide training and job opportunities for the local community. The learning hub will remain in place following completion of the project in order to continue supporting local residents into employment. Kier will work alongside future office occupiers to develop and employ new talent within the campus.
The Forum is set to attract a mix of tech businesses from start-ups to big occupiers and will benefit from the movement in talent to UK regions as a result of pandemic lifestyle changes that have occurred over the last two years. The digital campus will be at the forefront of digital innovation providing one of the most digitally connected and cyber-secure developments in the country.
Esther Croft, Development Director at Reef Group, said: “Kier’s commitment to sustainability, learning and employment opportunities and connection to Gloucestershire made them the ideal contractor to deliver The Forum. The digital campus is going to be at the cutting edge of tech innovation and will provide attractive workspaces for the next generation of tech talent in the UK. The project is progressing at pace and will be a fantastic addition to the city, retaining graduate talent as well as appealing to tech professionals looking to relocate.”
Andy Bolas, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: “Working with Gloucester City Council and Reef Group, we look forward to delivering this flagship digital centre which is set to be a beacon for technology and cyber security businesses in the south west.
“Over 85% of the project team are based in Gloucestershire which means we will utilise our local knowledge, skills and supply chain partners to complete this project. The learning hub is also a unique and enduring legacy which aims to provide sustainable job and training opportunities for the Gloucester community.
Councillor Richard Cook, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “The appointment of Kier represents a significant milestone in bringing forward The Forum, and making a reality of our vision of Gloucester as a hub for the digital and cyber sectors. As well as attracting new investment into the city, The Forum will be an inspiring and attractive place for residents and visitors, completely transforming what was formerly a tired part of the city.”
The Forum is expected to complete in summer 2024. Reef Group has appointed agents JLL and Bruton Knowles to target local, national, and international tech occupiers.