⏩ The Gloucester Start: Wednesday February 12th
Tributes to Jordan | Fence row latest | Post Office fight pledge
Good morning, welcome to Wednesday’s Start. Here’s today’s summary of the news and events in or about Gloucester from the last 24 hours. If I’ve missed anything, don’t be afraid to let me know - you can hit reply to this email or use the form linked below. Here’s today’s bulletin.
🛎️ The manager of a new boutique hotel at The Forum has been appointed ahead of its opening. Hotel Indigo, operated by IHG, will include a rooftop cocktail bar, 131 rooms and conferencing facilities when it opens, potentially later this year, with Nadia Fakrehdin at the helm. - Punchline Gloucester
💰 Gloucester City Council’s cabinet meets tonight where it’s expected to sign off its 2025-26 budget and five-year money plan, including a 2.99% rise in its share of the council tax bill. - Gloucester City Council
☁️ Today’s weather: More of the same with grey overcast skies throughout, although a tiny touch warmer at 6C.
💔 Moving tributes and fond memories are being shared of former Old Cryptians rugby player Jordan Smith, who died on Friday. He’s remembered for his ‘infectious’ enthusiasm and passion, tenacity on the pitch and kindness and support for others off it. - Old Cryptians | Cheltenham Martial Arts & Kickboxing
💸 Residents shocked at finding land they had freely accessed for years being fenced off are attempting to raise funds to buy it themselves. The University of Gloucestershire blocked off the old Debenhams sports field in Longlevens ‘without prior notice’ in December as it looks to sell it. - Gloucestershire Live
✉️ Gloucester MP Alex McIntyre has promised to fight to keep the King’s Square Post Office branch open. It’s one of 100 at risk but has been described as an ‘essential community service’ for the city centre. - Gloucester News Centre
↪️ Mr McIntyre has also raised the issue of ambulance waiting times in Gloucester in Parliament, tabling a written question asking what’s being done to improve them. - Gloucester News Centre
⚖️ An 80-year-old man from Gloucester has been jailed for more than six years after admitting sexually abusing his own granddaughters. Police highlighted the bravery of his victims in coming forward after he was sentenced on Monday. - BBC Gloucestershire
🚨 Crime alerts
The latest incidents from Gloucester reported via Your Community Alerts:
A VW Passat was entered while parked in Farm Street. Aftershave and sunglasses were taken, between 11pm on February 7th and 8am on the 10th
An attempted burglary was reported in St Peters Road. The offender was disturbed and ran off at 7.40pm on February 7th
A Toyota car was entered while parked in Southgate Street. A set of keys were stolen, 8pm on February 7th and 2.30pm on the 8th
A Mitsubishi car was entered while parked in St Pauls Road but nothing taken, between 8pm on February 7th and 6.30am on the 8th
⁉️ What have I missed? Flag news, events, community info and announcements to me via this quick form.
The top posts from Tuesday’s Start:
📷 New drone footage captures Gloucester new and old from above - Gloucestershire Live
⚖️ Ex-PC banned from police force after child sex offence convictions - BBC Gloucestershire
🚨 CCTV image released after teenage girl sexually assaulted on bus - Gloucestershire Constabulary