RIGHT FIT
Forum Coffee, a speciality coffee shop working with Gloucestershire-based roastery Ethical Addictions, will open this spring.
The site is benefitting from The Forum’s prime city-centre location, just a short walk from Gloucester’s bus and train stations and adjacent to Kings Square.
Forum Coffee co-founder, Hudson Talbot, said: “This is our first speciality coffee shop, so finding the right flagship location was crucial, and The Forum immediately felt like the right fit. It gives us the space to do something genuinely different and showcase what our coffee is all about.”
Alongside hot drinks, a dedicated ‘roasters’ corner’ will give customers the chance to meet the team, learn about processes and see the beans up close. Forum Coffee will also offer a food menu including brunch, lunches and baked goods, supported by an in-house kitchen team and collaborations with local, independent suppliers such as artisan bakers and gelato makers.
“Coffee drinkers increasingly want consistent quality, an authentic provenance story and a great experience,” said Forum Coffee co-founder, Elliott Paterson. “We are well placed to deliver on all of this with exceptional products and people.
“We are an independent speciality coffee shop bringing a new experience to Gloucester, a selection of beans from around the world, and the opportunity for visitors to interact with the whole coffee journey from bean to cup.
“We also have a few ideas for events and activities to be hosted at Forum Coffee, but also to collaborate with our neighbours as we invest in the growing business community that is developing in and around The Forum itself.”
Martina Ferrera.
LOCAL HEROES
The Forum is a £107 million mixed-use development in Gloucester city centre, brought forward by Gloucester City Council and developers Reef + Partners.
Cllr Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “The Forum is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity for Gloucester, and it’s great to see independent businesses choosing to make it their home. Supporting local enterprises to grow and the new jobs that they create is central to our vision for a thriving city economy. I’m delighted to welcome Forum Coffee to this landmark development and look forward to the energy it will bring to the city centre.”
Peter Langly-Smith, managing director of Reef + Partners, said: “Forum Coffee is exactly the kind of independent business this space was created to support. From the outset, our ambition has been to keep The Forum rooted in Gloucester by championing local businesses with strong values and a clear vision.
“It will play an important role in creating a destination that brings people into the city centre, supports regeneration and delivers long-term value for Gloucester.”
Local contractor Cobus Spaces has begun work on the internal fit-out, following their successful completion of the neighbouring Patch at The Forum. The third-generation Gloucester firm has delivered design and build office projects across the UK for over 20 years, working with a range of clients in the workplace and higher education sectors.
