University of Gloucestershire has revealed plans for its new campus that will bring nearly 4,000 students into the heart of Gloucester and bring benefits to local people.

The University's vision for the former Debenhams building has always been to transform it into a centre for learning, teaching, research, community partnerships; playing a leading role in the regeneration of Gloucester and delivering the highest quality student and staff experience.

At the heart of the plans are city centre access for the public, with facilities including the new Gloucestershire County Council library, a Health, Arts and Wellbeing Centre in partnership with the NHS Integrated Care Board, and a public café looking on to Kings Square.

The phased opening of these will begin in late 2024, when over 1,000 students will start to access teaching activity at the new campus. 

A packed programme of business and community engagement will run alongside, including the student-led Law Clinic, which will provide free legal advice to local people.

The new campus will be home to nearly 4,000 students and 350 staff when all phases are complete.

The University is also bringing forward its plans to create an Institute for Education at the new campus. The University has a proud heritage of training teachers and other professionals, and cutting-edge facilities at the new campus will help drive growth and development in these areas, with education, psychology and social work students and staff making the move in phase one.

Richard Graham, MP for Gloucester, said: "Our City Campus is taking shape and new announcements today of a free Law Clinic and an Institute for Education add to the many benefits of University of Gloucestershire's arrival into Kings Square.

"Easily accessible skills training is vital for our City Centre regeneration and the next stage of our journey to be Britain's Best Small City. I look forward to seeing the interior digital designs of the public spaces soon."

University of Gloucestershire Vice-Chancellor Clare Marchant said: "Having consolidated and strengthened our academic schools, we have taken the opportunity to look again at how our new Gloucester campus can best deliver a connected and high-quality student and staff experience; and help us meet our ambitions to grow and be more connected to our community.

"Having the teachers, psychologists and social workers of the future being trained in the heart of the city presents a unique opportunity for strengthening our community connections, through placements, research and outreach activity."

The new campus has been part-funded by a successful £20 million Levelling Up Fund bid  approved by the then Chancellor Rishi Sunak in 2021.

In January this year, a further £6.3m in Levelling Up cash, earmarked for the Fleece Hotel revamp, was diverted to the City Campus and The Forum developments. 

The City Campus building project has been far from straightforward with various archaeological discoveries, including the discovery of human remains.