VIDEO: Groundbreaking event for next stage of The Forum
By David Wood and Mark Owen | 24th June 2022
A groundbreaking event took place Friday morning (June 24) for the main part of The Forum development in Gloucester.
In February this year, Kier was appointed by Gloucester City Council and Reef Group as main contractor for Phase Two of The Forum - a new, mixed-use digital quarter for Gloucester that will be at the forefront of digital innovation providing one of the most digitally connected and cyber-secure developments in the country.
Phase Two will see the main campus of The Forum delivered. This includes 135,000 sq. ft. of Grade A workspace alongside a 130-room 4-star hotel, rooftop restaurant and bar, state-of-the-art digital conference facilities, a 9,000 sq ft wellness centre and a member's club.
Speaking at this morning's groundbreaking event, Gloucester MP Richard Graham said: "Three things really matter about this site: The first one is it will ultimately only succeed if the partnership between Kier, Reef and everyone who is involved, including the council, is absolutely firm.
"Secondly, people are very skeptical about big projects so they need to be delivered on time. You did it with the bus station and I hope very much you will be able to do it here.
"Thirdly, when it's completed, it's very symbolically important for Gloucester that everybody gets the 'Wow factor' that we've had from looking at the artist's impressions. I've got absolutely confidence in everybody here being able to achieve it and I wish you all good luck in succeeding. When it is done, as everybody is saying, we are going to be very proud of it and very grateful for all the hard work that's been put into it and the taxpayers will feel that it's been really good value."
Speaking to Punchline on site, Mr Graham said: "Real progress is being made. The next stage is to get rid of Grosvenor House which will be demolished before Christmas and then this project will leap forward fast really quite fast when all the groundwork and utilities are put in.
"It is exciting. What I'm confident about is that the partnership between Reef, who are delivering this project, Kier who are doing the construction work, and the city council who are the key partner, is this will lead to a project delivered on time with a big Wow factor for Gloucester.
"Taxpayers want to see a good result for their investment through the levelling up fund. We can have great things in Gloucester of the same quality they are having in London."
Esther Croft, development director at Reef Group, said: "There are so many faces surrounding me now who have worked so hard over so many years to get to this point. Reef Group are hugely supportive of Gloucester. We are really keen to continue our relationship with the council.and there's lots more to come."
Andy Bolas, regional director for Kier Construction Western & Wales, said: "This project is incredibly exciting for Kier. We are part of Gloucester. Our office is just down the road, 80 per cent of my staff live in and around Gloucester and this will have an impact on staff and their families and in terms of employment, apprenticeship and engagement with the community."
Asked about the rising cost of materials, Mr Bolas said they had carried out a lot of early procurement. "We are here today breaking ground but we've already procured 60 per cent of the value of the project," he said. "The supply chain is really positive so it helps."
Mr Bolas said there were currently around 50 people on site but at capacity this would rise to between 250 and 300.
Construction firm E G Carter & Co Ltd started work on Phase One of The Forum in spring 2021. This phase will see the creation of 19 apartments with views to Gloucester cathedral along with 5,000 sqm of retail space to be occupied by Tesco.
Phase One of The Forum is expected to complete by autumn 2022, with Phase Two expected to complete in summer 2024.
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. This includes the £5m transformation of King's Square, which was officially launched for public use in April. Reef Group has appointed agents JLL and Bruton Knowles as agents for The Forum.
For further information on The Forum visit www.forumdigital.co.uk
Related Articles
Copyright 2024 Moose Partnership Ltd. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any content is strictly forbidden without prior permission.