The Gate – a new space for art in the city
- John Steed
- Sep 8, 2025
- 3 min read
Gloucester Contemporary Artists has opened an artspace in the centre of the city. We have called it The Gate and we aim to have a continuous programme of art activity there. We have only been open for a few weeks and the most common comment we hear from visitors is ‘this is just what Gloucester needs’.
The Gate is available to hire and you can be part of this exciting project to bring contemporary art to the City.
The name
We have chosen the name The Gate after our vision for a major artspace for our city. This vision is of a unique cultural resource in our county that will serve the local community as well as drawing in visitors from far and wide and an important beacon for the economic regeneration of the city. The Gate artspace is the beginning: from little acorns…
You can read our vision for the contemporary visual arts on our website in the About section
The symbol
The design of the fascia incorporates the ensō - a circle that is hand-drawn in one or two uninhibited brushstrokes to express a moment when the mind is free to let the body create. The brush stroke suggests 'art' and its simplicity suggests 'contemporary'. The ensō is also incorporated into the logo of Gloucester Contemporary Artists.
A space for art
The Gate is a flexible space: it can be a gallery (it has track lighting, plinths and a hanging system on all the walls); it can be a project space to try out new ideas; it can also be a workspace (suitable for residencies, courses and workshops).
The Gate has a double-fronted shop window, 32 sq mtr of floor space and a ceiling height of at least 2.74m. The stepped floor inside is accessible using a ramp. The space has a sink with hot and cold water and there is unisex sanitary accommodation with washhand basin and W.C. for the hirers to use.
The interior has been restored with an interesting mix of plaster wall and exposed timbers contrasting with industrial chic galvanised wiring conduits, a contemporary lighting system, wall hanging system and copious sockets. The facilities also include trestle tables and ladders.
The address
Westgate Street forms one of the four busy thoroughfares in the centre of Gloucester, which sit in alignment with the Roman street plan of the city. The Gate at 21 Westgate Street is opposite the Antique Centre and close to the Cathedral.
The building
21 Westgate Street is part of the building known as the Fleece Hotel, a fifteenth century timber frame structure. The Fleece Hotel was first opened in 1497 and it is thought it may have been built as one of the three major inns of Gloucester to house pilgrims visiting the tomb of Edward II of England.
Some of the original timbers are visible. A beam shows evidence (stave holes and mortises) of the line of a partition most likely between a small shop unit to the front and a ground-floor private room to the rear).
A survey of the building during the Cathedral Quarter project, funded by government levelling up money, showed that the timber frame had been badly damaged making its future conservation very expensive. The Fleece has been empty since 2002 and it is now owned by the city council. It has proven challenging to find a viable scheme for its redevelopment. In the meantime the council has leased 21 Westgate Street to GCA pending decisions regarding the long-term future of this important site.
You and The Gate
We are currently negotiating the extension of the lease into the New Year and beyond. The weekly hiring fee is £200 (£100 for GCA members) April to September; or £250 (£150 for GCA members) October to March.
Enquiries by email to contact@gloucestercontemporaryartists.art
