Why Invest in Gloucester?
Gloucester, with its rich history and excellent transport links, presents a compelling case for investors. Known historically as the ‘Crossroads of England’, the city has always been a well-connected hub, offering direct motorway and rail access to Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, and Oxford. This connectivity, combined with its location in the heart of Gloucestershire, has made Gloucester an attractive base for businesses.
The city has also undergone significant regeneration in recent years, with over £800 million invested in major projects, including the transformation of the Gloucester Docks and Quays area into a vibrant destination for leisure, dining, and tourism. This urban renaissance has sparked renewed interest in the city, making it an increasingly popular place to live and work.
Gloucester Business Park, located at Junction 11A of the M5, is a prime example of the city’s thriving business community. Covering over 276 acres, the park is home to major companies like Lockheed Martin, Laithwaites, Horizon Nuclear Power, DHL, Ageas, and EDF Energy, providing thousands of jobs.
The University of Gloucestershire, with its campuses in the city, is also a key player in the local economy. The university has received funding from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which aims to improve communities and support local businesses. The university’s plans for the former Debenhams store in the city centre include an information centre, a digitally enabled public library, and a drop-in wellbeing centre.
Gloucester has an exciting pipeline of regeneration projects, including the £85 million King’s Quarter development, which will create over 125,000 square feet of office space, an innovation hub, a hotel, a gym, restaurants, shops, and apartments. The city council has also invested £5 million to transform King’s Square into a modern city centre square, attracting private developers to the area.
Gloucester has a diverse economy, with key sectors including aerospace, technology, engineering, and financial services. The city has a skilled workforce, and its well-connected business parks provide a range of employment opportunities.
The Royal Gloucester Hospital is another major employer in the region, and the city’s ongoing expansion plans include new housing developments and garden villages, ensuring a continued demand for property.
With its rich history, excellent transport links, diverse economy, and ongoing regeneration projects, Gloucester is a city on the rise, presenting a range of exciting investment opportunities.