A bold new chapter for education in Gloucester is about to unfold as the University of Gloucestershire’s city centre campus readies to welcome students. Set in the heart of Gloucester, this campus promises to transform a once-thriving retail landmark into a modern hub for learning, research, and community engagement. However, the road to opening has been anything but straightforward. From staggering discoveries beneath the ground to disputes with residents over land, the project has faced a cascade of challenges.
Originally scheduled to open in late 2024, the campus—housed within the historic walls of the former Debenhams department store—experienced a series of setbacks. Human remains, uncovered in the early stages of construction, halted work and ignited intense public interest, drawing attention not just from the academic community but across the region. Now, following months of archaeological investigation and debate, the university is poised to unveil its most ambitious project yet with a phased opening in 2025.
Archaeology Alters the Timetable
The grand plans to convert the Debenhams building into an academic powerhouse collided with an unexpected and sombre find. More than 250 sets of human remains—many dating back centuries—were uncovered during works led by Cotswold Archaeology. Among the discoveries were remnants of two historic churches, brick burial vaults, and significant artefacts, including window arches from the medieval period.
Much of the area beneath Eastgate and Northgate Streets, once bustling market routes in Roman and medieval times, proved to be a silent vault of local history. Archaeologists believe some burials extended back over 1,000 years, revealing evidence of an evolving city and highlighting the longstanding significance of the site for generations past.
The process of carefully excavating, documenting, and preserving the remains delayed construction for over a year and pushed the project £16 million over its initial budget. The university worked closely with city authorities and the Church of England to ensure respectful treatment of the finds, with plans to reinter the remains in consecrated ground elsewhere in Gloucester. These discoveries, while delaying progress, have added a unique historical dimension to the campus, offering future generations a tangible link to Gloucester’s layered past.
Land and Community
Beyond archaeological challenges, the university’s expansion has been shadowed by conflict with local residents. In 2025, a green field long enjoyed by the people of Longlevens was fenced off by the University of Gloucestershire ahead of its planned sale. Residents expressed shock and devastation, saying the closure came with no warning and eliminated a cherished communal green space. Campaigns emerged demanding that the university collaborate more closely with the community—particularly since the field, although private, had been used informally for decades.
Local campaigners voiced their disappointment over the sudden fencing, viewing it as a sign of disregard for both green spaces and a spirit of partnership with the city. While the university maintains it has the right to secure and manage its land, the ensuing disconnection has underscored the delicate balance educational institutions must strike between growth and good neighbourliness. Efforts to resolve the dispute continue, with some locals still hopeful for compromise.
Regeneration and Vision: Bringing Life Back to Gloucester
Despite turbulence, the university’s city campus has won support for the broader regeneration of Gloucester’s city centre. With backing from the government’s Levelling Up Fund to the tune of £20 million, the campus is expected to inject new energy, business, and over 4,000 students and staff into the city’s core once fully operational. Features include a new library, public café, arts and wellbeing centre, and facilities that aim to link the university more closely with the local community.
The development transforms not only an iconic high street building but also Gloucester’s prospects as a city for learning, research, and business. Planners see it as a cornerstone in the city’s evolution, with projected economic benefits estimated at £86 million in gross value added. Public services such as a student-led law clinic and NHS partnerships underline the ambition to create an inclusive urban campus serving both students and residents.
Opening: Delays, Phased Return, and New Opportunities
Construction is nearing completion following an intense period of adaptation and redesign caused by both archaeological and financial hurdles. The university is preparing to stage a phased opening throughout 2025, starting with students and staff from education, psychology, and social work programmes. A full roll-out will eventually see thousands of learners and educators calling the new campus home.
Vice-Chancellor Clare Marchant has expressed pride in steering the project forward despite the obstacles, stating there are “absolutely no regrets at all” for what promises to be a transformative force for Gloucester and the region. While some changes were made to the design to accommodate on-site discoveries and cost pressures, the vision for a contemporary, multi-purpose centre remains intact.
