⏩ The Gloucester Start: Friday July 4th
Money laundering at restaurant | Forum delayed | Things to do this weekend
Good morning, welcome to Friday’s Start and your weekend edition. There’s plenty on over the next couple of days if you’re staying in Gloucester. Do please hit share or tell a friend if you’re finding the Start a useful resource - it really helps. Onto today’s bulletin.
☁️ Weekend weather: Sunny today, overcast and a higher chance of rain across the weekend.
⚖️ A money laundering network in Gloucester ultimately led to the downfall of a man jailed for human trafficking, prostitution and drug offences. Zhaoqian Yu, from Birmingham, was discovered by organised crime officers after transferring £347,000 to a Chinese restaurant in the city which was operating an underground banking service. - Regional Organised Crime Unit Network
🏗️ The Forum - the £107million King’s Quarter development - will fully open later than expected after facing unexpected ‘teething problems’. - BBC Gloucestershire
↪️ The delay hasn’t stopped The Forum winning Regeneration Project of the Year and being called ‘frankly brilliant’ by judges at the Michelmores Property Awards 2025. - SoGlos
⁉️ Gloucester City Council has been asked to ‘urgently clarify’ how it will get the regeneration of Podsmead ‘back on track’ after rejecting a £45million scheme to transform much of the area. Labour councillors and Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre called the decision ‘incredibly disappointing’. - Alex McIntyre
🩸 Striking phlebotomists at Gloucestershire Royal and Cheltenham General hospitals will mark their 100th day of industrial action today with a rally at Shire Hall. The 37 blood sampling specialists are in dispute with NHS Gloucestershire over their pay banding. - Gloucestershire Live
🐱👤 Gloucester’s former Ninja Warrior assault course has reopened this week in time for the summer holidays with a new name and updated look. Ultimate Warriors sees guests tackle all manner of inflatable obstacles, cargo nets, slides and more. - SoGlos
🚧 New pictures show the latest scale of the work happening at the A417 Missing Link project. Work to install massive steel beams to support what will become the UK’s biggest ‘green bridge’ began in June. - BBC Gloucestershire
↪️ More than 2,000 reptiles have been relocated from the Missing Link site, including 10 adders who were tracked using radio tags for extra research. - Punchline Gloucester
🍻 Landlords at the Three Oaks pub in Robinswood say they’ve been given 28 days’ notice to leave by owners Heineken. ‘We’re incredibly disappointed to have been given just 28 days’ notice to leave, especially with a 4-month-old baby and our family living on-site. This place wasn’t just bricks and mortar. It was our home.’ - Three Oaks
🏉 Former Gloucester Rugby player Derek East has been remembered as a ‘hugely respected and doting family man’ after his death aged 80. He played two seasons for the Cherry and Whites in the 1960s and coached youngsters in the sport too. - Gloucestershire Live
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📌 Project Grow will showcasing the work being done at the Gloucestershire Heritage Hub Community Garden as part of their Restoring the Natural Balance event this Saturday, July 5th. This also features as part of the Kingsholm Open Gardens also happening that day. Come along and see how we grow food for Wiggly Charity, grab a free veg or herb plant for your own garden or simply come and newly restored biodynamic garden. More details here. - Thanks to subscriber Claire for this submission
📌 Nominations are open for this year’s Believe in Gloucester Awards, celebrating the people, businesses and organisations that help Gloucester thrive. The awards, run by Gloucester BID, shine a light on those who go above and beyond to support the city and its community. Over the next four weeks, residents and businesses are encouraged to put forward their local heroes across 15 categories. More details here. - Thanks to subscriber Emily for this submission
📅 Things to do
Got an event coming up you want to shout about? Send listings through at least a couple of days in advance if possible, via this form. It’s completely free.
🔱 Roman Gloucester Walks from the Museum of Gloucester | Friday, 10.30am | £7 | Details
🍺 Drunken Duck Turns 2 Birthday Bash at The Drunken Duck | Friday-Sunday | Free | Details
💐 Gloucestershire Rare Plants and Orchid Fair at St Mary de Crypt | Saturday, 10am-4.30pm | £2 | Details
🎉 Summer Fun Day at Eastgate Indoor and Outdoor Market | Saturday, 10am-3pm | Free | Details 👇
🛍️ Community table sale at The Folk of Gloucester | Saturday, 11am-3pm | Free | Details
🤘 Black Sabbath Livestream at The Thirsty Pine | Saturday, 3pm | Free | Details
✂️ Pop Up Create and Make at 49 Westgate Street | Saturday and Sunday | Free | Details
🛍️ Orchard Street Market at Gloucester Quays | Saturday and Sunday | Free | Details
⚽ Big Football Day - Free Girls Taster Sessions and Euros Watch Party at Gloucester City AFC | Saturday, 5.30pm | Free | Details
🏍️ Kickback Motorcycle and Hot Rod Show at Gloucester Prison | Sunday, 10am-4.30pm | £20 on the door, kids free | Details
🎉 Golden Anniversary Celebrations at Robinswood Hill | Sunday, 12pm-5pm | Free | Details
Top posts from Thursday’s Start:
Mercers Way alley won’t be gated off after public feedback
Missing West Midlands woman thought to be in Gloucester
Planning permission regranted for 180 Matson homes