A Guide to Office Space in Gloucester

Gloucester was historically known for its strong manufacturing, aviation, and agriculture sectors. In the 21st century, it has also developed a thriving cyber, digital, and business ecosystem.

With this modern and diverse economy, Gloucester has become a desirable hub for new and established businesses.

Whether you’re looking for serviced office space or coworking spaces, this city has many options. The offices to rent in Gloucester could offer numerous benefits to your business.

Geography of Gloucester

Gloucestershire businesses contribute over £19 billion to the UK’s economy. The region’s GVA has also grown at a higher rate than the national average over the last few years. This growth has been further supported by the city’s £107 million investment in The Forum office complex.

This growing economy coupled with purpose-built hubs is attracting key players across tech and business. As a result, Gloucester is fast becoming a hotspot for business expansion.

Gloucester is within easy reach of several prominent business hubs. Bristol, Bath, and Birmingham are all approximately one hour away by car. Meanwhile, Cardiff is around a 90-minute drive, and London is reachable in a little over two hours.

The city also boasts excellent transport links. Direct trains from Gloucester include destinations like Cheltenham, Bristol, and Cardiff. Other direct routes include London Paddington, Birmingham, and Swindon.

If you’re a frequent business traveller looking for a convenient office to rent, Gloucester offers easy access to a range of destinations.

Key business areas in Gloucester

Gloucester is welcoming and easy to navigate, making it an excellent destination for all kinds of businesses. That said, there are a few key areas that stand out, particularly for certain industries.

• Gloucester Business Park: This 276-acre park is easy to access via the M5. Industries represented here span aerospace, cybersecurity, healthcare, engineering, manufacturing, and more. Prominent residents include DHL, NHS, Lockheed Martin, and TBS Engineering.
• Gloucester Docks: This area has long been popular with shipping and engineering businesses. But, with plenty of shops, restaurants, bars, and museums in the area, it’s also a desirable spot for serviced offices in Gloucester. The area is within walking distance of Gloucester Railway Station.
• Olympus Business Park: Only 2.5 miles south of Gloucester city centre, this is a popular spot for tech companies and innovators. It’s also close to the M5, making it a great location for travelling to other business hubs like Bristol, Birmingham, and London.

Businesses based in Gloucester

Gloucester’s expanding economy involves a wide range of businesses. It’s also continuing to diversify. According to SoGlos’ list of Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire, some of the region’s most profitable and prominent businesses include:

• EDF Energy: This French-owned business has headquarters in London. However, the large generation side of EDF’s business operates out of Gloucester Business Park.
• G-TEKT Europe Manufacturing: This automotive manufacturer provides bodywork for the likes of BMW and Honda. With their primary location in Gloucester Business Park, G-TEKT employs over 800 staff members and generates £138 million across six European locations.
• Barnwood Limited: This company specialises in construction, shopfitting, and general works. Founded 60 years ago in Gloucester, the company recently recorded a turnover north of £100 million.

The region is also growing across the cyber-tech sector. Prominent tech companies with offices in Gloucester include Raytheon Technologies, BAE Systems, and L3TRL Technology.

Why you should rent office space in Gloucester

With a diverse, stable, and growing economy, Gloucester is a great place to start or expand a business. If you’re wondering whether to explore serviced offices in Gloucester, let’s consider the benefits in more detail.

1. Attractive business environment

The Gloucestershire region has over 34,000 businesses and a 91% one-year business survival rate. This makes it a stable and attractive environment for new businesses.

Government support programs are also in place to support economic growth in the area. For example, the Gloucester Shared Prosperity Fund provides £1.468 million in support funds for local businesses and organisations.

It’s also worth noting that average house prices in Gloucestershire are around 50% cheaper than in London. Choosing serviced office space in Gloucester could thus be key to attracting skilled talent for your business.

2. SME support

Gloucester is growing its economy. This is partly done through city regeneration projects. However, another key aspect of the city’s growth strategy is providing active support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

For example, the Gloucester Growth Hub has helped over 10,000 people start or grow their businesses. Based in the University of Gloucestershire's School of Business and Technology, it provides all manner of support for small businesses, including events, consultancy, workshops, and collaboration services.

If you’re starting or running a small company, choosing flexible office space in Gloucester could make you eligible for this support.

3. Startup growth

With several support initiatives in place, it’s no wonder that Gloucestershire is a thriving hub for startups.

The UK saw a record number of startups in 2023, and over 42,000 of those were in South West England. Developments like Cheltenham’s £1 billion Golden Valley are also creating new clusters for tech, cybersecurity, and AI.

Combined, these factors make Gloucestershire fertile ground for entrepreneurship and business growth.

4. Skilled workforce

Gloucestershire is home to several higher education institutions. The most notable of which is the University of Gloucestershire. There are also many specialist institutions like the Royal Agricultural University.

Meanwhile, SGS Berkeley Green provides specialist training and education across engineering, digital technologies, and cybersecurity. As the tech economy continues to grow across the region, businesses will have access to fresh and skilled talent.

5. Strategic location and connectivity

Located close to the M5, Gloucester is a highly accessible city in the heart of the UK. It’s also connected to a range of towns and cities via public transport. This is great for businesses connecting with customers, suppliers, and collaborators nationwide.

Gloucester Railway Station is served by Great Western Railway, Transport for Wales, and CrossCountry trains. These provide direct services to a range of towns and major cities. They also connect to larger train stations like Birmingham, Bristol, and London for travel across the UK.

6. Travelling for business in Gloucester

Travelling for business is a breeze from Gloucester, with several cities accessible via direct train. Prominent destinations reachable from Gloucester include:

• Cheltenham: A seven-minute train journey
• Cardiff: A one-hour train journey
• London: A one-hour and 45-minute train journey
• Birmingham: A one-hour train journey
• Exeter: A two-hour and 20-minute train journey

For businesses that need to travel internationally, Bristol and Cardiff Airports are within 45 and 75 miles, respectively. Destinations from these airports include major European capitals like Amsterdam, Prague, and Dublin. You can also easily travel to Edinburgh, New York, and more.

Gloucestershire Airport is also only five miles away for private air travel and chartered flights.

7. Gloucester culture

Combining the city’s history with regeneration in the docks and quays, Gloucester offers a great work-life balance. There are countless options for entertaining investors and clients.

For foodies, there’s an array of upmarket restaurants and street food on offer. From Thai to Vietnamese to Nepalese to Italian, there’s no shortage of cuisines to try in central Gloucester.

There are also plenty of cultural and entertainment venues in the city. These include Gloucestershire Arts & Crafts Centre, Gloucester Guildhall, and the Kings Theatre.

For history buffs and visitors, there are also many historical landmarks and museums to explore. These include Gloucester Cathedral, the National Waterways Museum, and the Museum of Gloucester.

How much are Gloucester office space rentals?

Although it has a dynamic economy, offices to rent in Gloucester are often cheaper than in larger cities like London and Manchester.

For example, premium office space in London can cost £445 per person per month. In comparison, private office space to rent in the centre of Gloucester costs £115 per person per month.

Although prices can vary depending on a range of factors, Gloucester on average is a more cost-effective option. This makes it ideal for new, small, and growing businesses.

Office space to rent in Gloucester

Whether you’re a small startup or an established business, there are plenty of flexible office spaces in Gloucester. To help you find the best solution for your business, here are some of our top office building options in Gloucestershire.

Olympus House

Olympus House is a modern office space suitable for a wide range of businesses. It’s filled with high-tech amenities and a variety of workspaces, so you can adapt the space to suit your specific needs. Start small with a dedicated desk and scale up as your business grows.

Situated in Olympus Business Park, minutes away from the M5, this location is great for businesses that require regular travel. Although it’s on the outskirts of Gloucester, there are plenty of supermarkets, cafes, and stores within easy reach.

For client visits and investor entertainment, Painswick Rococo Garden is only a 20-minute drive away. These historical grounds include stunning Cotswold views along with woodland walks and an on-site cafe.

Whether you’re looking for an inspirational setting for creative brainstorming or a beautiful location to impress investors, this is an excellent option.

Highlights include:

• Meeting rooms
• Break-out areas
• City centre location

Information about Olympus House:

• Location: Olympus House, Olympus Business Park, Quedgeley, Gloucester, GL2 4NE
• Starting cost: From £209 per month
• Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
• Nearby transport links: Plumbing Trade Supplies Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Old Elmore Lane Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away), and Sims Lane Bus Stop (a three-minute walk away)

Conway House

Warm, spacious, and with plenty of natural light, Conway House is great for boosting creativity and productivity. It’s just a short stroll from the train station and has beautiful views of Gloucester Cathedral.

The area has long been popular with shipping and engineering companies. Thanks to recent regeneration projects, though, it’s fast becoming populated by startups and SMEs across a wide range of industries.

This office building is also within striking distance of Gloucester’s bars, restaurants, and waterfront. This makes it an excellent option for startups looking to entertain investors and clients. It’s also well-positioned to attract new and skilled talent who want to enjoy a bustling atmosphere after work.

Highlights include:

• Outside seating area/terrace
• Business Lounge
• Elevators

Information about Conway House:

• Location: 31 Worcester Street, Gloucester, Gloucestershire, GL1 3AJ
• Starting cost: From £115 per month
• Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
• Nearby transport links: Estate Agents Bus Interchange (a one-minute walk away), St Mark’s Church Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), and Gloucester Train Station (an eight-minute walk away)

North Warehouse

Located in a historic building with plenty of character, North Warehouse is ideal for the creative and tech industries.

With Gloucester Docks on your doorstep, this is also an excellent location for small businesses who want to network and entertain investors and clients. You can also enjoy a healthy work-life balance with the area’s bars and restaurants.

For brand-new startups, freelancers, and entrepreneurs, there are plenty of quiet corners where you can hunker down to work. SMEs who want to collaborate and brainstorm have access to private spaces, break-out areas, and meeting rooms.

Highlights include:

• Bicycle storage
• Business lounge
• Parking

Information about North Warehouse:

• Location: Gloucester Docks, Gloucester, GL1 2FB
• Starting cost: From £199 per month
• Opening hours: 24/7 for Private Office and Dedicated Desk members, reception hours for other members
• Nearby transport links: Lock House Bus Stop (a two-minute walk away), Soldiers of Gloucestershire Bus Interchange (a three-minute walk away), and Gloucester Train Station (an 18-minute walk away)

Explore Gloucester office spaces with Regus

When it comes to finding offices to rent in Gloucester, there are plenty of options to choose from.

For flexible and low-cost solutions, take a look at our hot desking and monthly membership options. If you prefer stability and routine, try a dedicated desk or private office.

Alternatively, if you need short-term office space to impress clients, take a look at our day offices as well as our custom office packages.

Whatever your needs, the office specialists at Regus are here to help. Explore our locations and services online to find the best office for your business. For assistance, advice, and tailored solutions, talk to our friendly experts today.