Tech services provider takes space at £107m city centre site

The Forum in Gloucester has confirmed Fasthosts Internet as the first business tenant to take up office space, in an agreement which sees the company take all 19,000 sq ft of available space at No2 Cathedral Walk.

The deal will see the international internet service and hosting provider move 250 employees into the £107m development later this year.

Fasthosts was founded in Gloucester in 1998, before achieving international success and being acquired by German-based IONOS in 2006.

At the heart of the regeneration of Gloucester city centre, The Forum is a mixed-use development brought forward Gloucester City Council in partnership with Reef Group. It will provide premium office space, retail space, restaurants, a Hotel Indigo (IHG Hotels) and a rooftop bar when it opens later in 2024.

Fasthosts CEO Simon Yeoman said: “At Fasthosts, our growth has driven us to outgrow our current office spaces, resulting in teams spread across two locations. This move to The Forum allows us to bring everyone together in one central, modern office.

“Staying true to our roots in Gloucester was essential and this space aligns perfectly with our sustainability and CSR goals. This new location is not only convenient for our current workforce but also positions us well for future talent, thanks to its excellent transport connections and sustainable design.

“This move will allow us to create a modern and contemporary environment for our staff. This move guarantees a space that fits the future needs of a hi-tech business like Fasthosts.”

Fasthosts, which provides data centre services for businesses, including web hosting and other online projects, has experienced significant growth. Earlier this year, the company migrated its primary data centre to Worcestershire to better manage its environmental footprint, with the facility now operating using 100% renewable energy.

Peter Langly-Smith, development director at Reef Group, said: “The vision behind The Forum was to attract fast-growth, innovative technology companies and we are pleased to see this vision realised in Fasthosts taking up space.

“Our drive to create a future-ready working environment with high-class facilities, coupled with our commitment to a highly sustainable building has been a real draw for companies moving to The Forum. There has already been overwhelming confidence demonstrated by other companies showing strong interest in the remaining workspaces.”

The building is part of Gloucester’s £200m regeneration project, which includes University of Gloucestershire’s City Campus development on Kings Square and Kings Square itself.

Gloucester City Council leader councillor Jeremy Hilton added: “I am delighted that we are able to welcome Fasthosts to The Forum as the latest business to take up space in this multi-million-pound project.

“The development is now nearing completion, and the site will come to life later this year as Fasthosts and other companies move in, with the public being able to walk through a new city centre street.”

Agents supporting The Forum expect more businesses to follow Fasthosts’ lead to take up space, after reporting strong interest in opportunities at the city centre site this year.

Dorian Wragg, partner and head of commercial property at Bruton Knowles: “This move by Fasthosts reinforces the region’s status as a leading digital and cyber security centre in the UK, which is already home to major organisations such as GCHQ and the National Cyber Security Centre, and now Gloucester has been named the 7th best location in the UK for AI enterprise by a leading business website. The robust growth of the UK’s cyber security industry, which now generates £10.5 billion annually and supports approximately 58,005 jobs has to be a focus for us regionally.

“Fasthosts will be the cornerstone of The Forum, at the heart of a new digital and creative centre for the city, which will in turn boost local interest, attract further investment, draw visitors and tourists, and encourage residential growth, all contributing to the revitalisation of the city centre. I am genuinely delighted with the role that Bruton Knowles has played in securing such an important deal for the city.”