The new Gloucester Bus Station opens to the public on October 27 and business leaders have been given a preview.

They went on a tour of the complex - now called a Transport Hub - and most agreed it was a "stunning asset" for the city.

It has cost £8.5 million including highways works with funding of £6.4 million from the Government through GFirst LEP and the remainder made up by Gloucester City Council which has driven the prestigious project.

City council leader Cllr Paul James said: "What we have got is a striking building that provides a statement of our ambitions for the city and sets the tone for the rest of the (Kings Quarter) development.

"We are very fortunate to have got Government funding because it would have been very difficult for us to have made it happen without that support."

Gloucester MP Richard Graham tweeted: "Spectacular preview of new Gloucester Bus Station. They said it could not happen. It has been. Be proud."

And the Kier Group who led the construction said: "We were thrilled to showcase the brand-new Gloucester Bus Station and Transportation Hub today, kick-starting the city's Kings Quarter regeneration scheme."

@Stagecoach_West @RupertMCox 10995 the first bus to arrive into our new transport hub for Gloucester. pic.twitter.com/crum5x9dzy

— james.w (@james_scbus) September 28, 2018

Well I’ve spent most of the day in our new transport hub in Gloucester and what an amazing building it is now that completion is only a few weeks away. And I have a view for the first time ever @Stagecoach_West @RupertMCox pic.twitter.com/vhexvBhpl1

— james.w (@james_scbus) September 28, 2018