⏩ The Gloucester Start: Friday May 8th

£3million flats nearly finished | Kitchen cocaine gang jailed | Things to do this weekend

May 08, 2026

Good morning, welcome to Friday’s final Start of the week. I’ll see you again Monday, here’s everything I’ve found for today’s edition. Have a great weekend.

⛅ Weekend weather: Fairly mixed, temperatures still staying generally cool.

🦽 A 48-hour garden transformation means an eight-year-old boy can finally enjoy going outside at his Podsmead home. Charity WellChild organised the works for Lucas who uses a wheelchair because of a genetic muscle condition. - BBC Gloucestershire

🔑 New city centre flats are close to completion after the £3million conversion of former offices in Southgate Street. Discovery House, most recently the home of Fasthosts before their move to The Forum, will become 21 new units. - Punchline Gloucester

🏢 Plans will be debated that could see the city council-owned Kimberley, Herbert and Philpott Warehouses in Gloucester Docks finally disposed of. The largely empty buildings have been costing the taxpayer £132,000 a year to maintain. - Punchline Gloucester

🍸 Coro Lounge opened its doors in King’s Square for its first day of business yesterday, with an opening night party in the evening. General manager Kira Borlase said she was excited to ‘bring some energy’ to the area. - Punchline Gloucester

⚖️ City and county councillor Alastair Chambers has denied a harassment charge. He’s accused of using homophobic slurs towards Butlers bar owner and former city council cabinet member Justin Hudson. - BBC Gloucestershire

🔒 Four men from Gloucester who ran a cocaine operation from one of their mum’s kitchen in Hucclecote have been jailed. Ringleader Jordan Ireland was filmed weighing drugs and was sentenced to 11 years and eight months in jail. - BBC Gloucestershire

🚓 Police arrested a man on suspicion of wounding with intent and possessing an offensive weapon after another man was allegedly stabbed with a screwdriver in Station Road. The victim was treated in hospital and later discharged. - Gloucestershire Live

The Gloucester Start is here to make access to local news and information about our city as simple and enjoyable as possible. That means no clickbait, nothing irrelevant and no ads, every weekday morning.

It survives entirely because of the generosity of a small number of paying subscribers - but that number really is not many. If you value what the Start is doing and are in a position to help keep it going, will you consider joining our most loyal supporters with a paid subscription? It’s as little as £3.75 a month with an annual plan.

If you want to support but don’t want the monthly, or annual, commitment, you can say thanks with a one-off payment of any amount you choose.

One-off donation

Thank you 🙏

📌 Community Noticeboard

This section is powered by you. Submit community news, initiatives and events, new openings and fundraisers, and plenty more, via this simple form for inclusion. It’s free.

📌 Pianist Christopher Guild presents a fascinating programme exploring the music of Percy Grainger and his contemporaries, including works by Ronald Stevenson and Henry Balfour Gardiner. GLOW Coffee Concerts at St Mary de Crypt continue with Grainger and his Contemporaries, a relaxed Saturday morning recital featuring rarely heard but highly approachable piano music, with spoken introductions from the performer. Saturday May 9th at 11.30am. Free admission, with donations invited to support the performers and the church. Refreshments available. More information. - Thanks to subscriber Seb for this submission

📌 We have a packed programme of art exhibitions at the Gate this month. Come and visit the artists and enjoy the work at 21 Westgate Street, Gloucester. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter to be one of the first to hear about upcoming exhibitions and events. - Thanks to subscriber Cathy for these details

📅 Things to do

I’d love to hear about any new events, clubs, group meetings or other interesting things to do for this section. Get in touch via the submission form or email thegloucesterstart@gmail.com

🍜 Continental Market at King’s Square | Until Saturday, 10am-6pm | Free | Details

🏉 Gloucester Rugby vs Sale Sharks at Kingsholm | Friday, 7.45pm | Prices vary | Details

🎤 The House of Love at Gloucester Guildhall | Friday, 8pm | £30 | Details

💥 Gloucester Comic Con at GL1 Leisure Centre | Saturday, 10am | From £10 adults | Details

🏃‍♀️ Colour Up for Kids at Plock Court | Saturday, 10am | From £15 adults | Details

🇵🇱 Polish Heritage Day at Gloucester Park | Saturday, 12pm-7pm | Free entry | Details

🧱 Gloucester Brick Festival at GL1 Leisure Centre | Sunday, 10am-4pm | From £8 adults, £6 children | Details

🏎️ Italian Auto Moto Festival at Gloucester Quays | Sunday, 10am | Free to spectators | Details

Discussion about this post

Ready for more?