As businesses across the South West navigate the return to the office, workers are flocking to Gloucester’s prime destination for modern workspaces; Forum.
The £107m mixed-use regeneration project is being brought forward by Gloucester City Council and developers Reef + Partners. The Forum’s high-quality spaces are meeting the region’s growing demand for sustainable and flexible working environments.
Embracing the spaces that Forum has to offer is the first business tenant, Fasthosts. The internet services and web hosting provider moved into No 2 Cathedral Walk in December 2024, taking all 19,000 sq ft in the building across five storeys.
Since moving to Forum and bringing all 250 staff under one roof for the first time, Fasthosts has found office attendance increase by creating a welcoming and collaborative environment.
Rupert Bedell, CEO of Fasthosts, said: “For us, it’s not about mandating time in the office, but instead making it a space people want and choose to come to. We have a range of desk spaces to allow people to work in a way that suits them, and we have worked with colleagues to implement initiatives that really matter.
“Our move to the Forum has been a key part of this, giving us a canvas to create a workspace bespoke to the team’s needs. The full-length windows bring in so much natural light, and I know that boosts morale. Many more colleagues are choosing to commute via bus or train now due to the ease of access too.”
Fasthosts has a hot-desk by default policy, with each workspace open to anyone. Colleagues are required to clear their kit into personal lockers at the end of each day.
To nurture the team culture, the firm runs gaming sessions, art nights and lunch clubs. Each floor has its own kitchenette, with a spacious kitchen and break room on the fifth floor, where breakfast is available each morning employees can enjoy unlimited hot and cold drinks.
Fasthosts’ space has been designed with employee wellbeing and functionality at the forefront and includes multiple break-out rooms, informal seating areas, multi-faith rooms and soundproof call booths.
With 88 percent of workers subject to some compulsory office attendance in 2024 and 39 percent making a full-time office return, the requirements of office space is changing once more.
Peter Langly-Smith, managing director at Reef + Partners, said: “For many businesses, the focus is now on spaces that prioritise innovation and employee wellbeing over simply volume of desk space. Offices are now increasingly being seen as hubs for connection, and Forum has been designed with that in mind.
“With flexible floorplates, panoramic views of the city, and leisure facilities on-site, Forum is the ideal location for businesses who want to design their spaces to maximise productivity, facilitate collaboration, and prioritise employee experience.”
Floorplates from 3,000 to 15,000 sq ft are available, welcoming small teams up to medium sized organisations. Exclusive terraces crown upper floors, and full-height windows throughout maximise natural light and ventilation.
As the South West thrives in post-pandemic world, Forum is leading the way in Gloucester’s return-to-office movement.
When complete, the Forum will offer:
- 142,000 sq ft of Grade A office space: providing flexibility for companies to adapt their work environment as teams grow.
- A sustainably built, mixed used development: built to a BREEAM rating of ‘Excellent’ and net-zero carbon in operation.
- The South West’s largest living wall: a 600 square metre vertical garden on the side of the car park, comprising 48,000 plants and set to capture the same amount of carbon as 32 trees.
- Hotel Indigo, IHG Hotels: the 129-bedroom boutique hotel, including a restaurant, conferencing facilities and rooftop cocktail bar.
- An innovative media façade: a first of its kind for the city, a 17-metre high and 9-metre wide LED lighting system integrated into the external walls of The Forum.
- Car park – Q-Park: 393-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: a Tesco Express sits 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. A further 24 apartments are due for completion in 2027.