Gloucester is set to welcome a new Costco warehouse on 12 December, a development civic leaders say arrives at a "pivotal" moment for the city as plans to shape its future over the next two decades are advanced. The members-only wholesaler will occupy the former Interbrew site off Eastern Avenue and is expected to create up to 250 jobs.
What is coming to Gloucester
The scheme, approved by Gloucester City Council in December 2024, comprises a 13,109m2 warehouse club alongside an 18-bay filling station with tyre installation and sales. The site includes a sizeable car park and facilities intended to support staff and visitors.
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Warehouse area | 13,109m2 |
| Estimated jobs | Up to 250 |
| Car parking spaces | 612 |
| Disabled spaces | 24 |
| EV charging spaces | 30 |
| Cycle spaces | 20 |
Local leaders welcome the investment
Council members discussing a draft masterplan for Gloucester told a scrutiny meeting the Costco decision brings the kind of inward investment the city needs. The blueprint under consideration is intended to guide growth on issues ranging from housing and economic development to climate resilience and transport for the next 20 to 25 years.
“I’ve got no doubt in my mind at all that when some people travel a considerable distance to visit Costco, they will then take the time to get to know Gloucester a bit more and visit historic parts of this city like the cathedral,”
The comment was made by Councillor Andrew Gravells (Conservative, Abbeydale), who chairs the council’s overview and scrutiny committee. He said the move could bring wider benefits to the city, with visitors stopping to see local attractions and spending in the city centre.
Potential spill‑over benefits, and what remains to be seen
Civic leaders described the opening as a potential catalyst for further commercial activity. At the council meeting, members noted a sense of "buzz" around the announcement and suggested the site could raise Gloucester’s profile with visitors who might discover the city while travelling to the warehouse.
Practical details on the site indicate an attempt to plan for modern travel patterns, with provision for electric vehicle charging and cycle parking as well as more than 600 car parking spaces. The facility will include 24 disabled spaces and 30 EV chargers, and is intended to serve both local residents and people travelling from a wider area.
- Opening date confirmed as 12 December.
- Site is on the former Interbrew land off Eastern Avenue.
- Planning permission granted in December 2024 for warehouse, petrol station and ancillary services.
While councillors expressed optimism about economic and visitor benefits, the long-term impact will depend on how the development interacts with the city centre and the wider masterplan for Gloucester. The masterplan aims to build on strengths while addressing challenges including housing, connectivity and climate resilience.
For residents, the arrival of a national wholesale operator brings immediate prospects for new jobs and consumer choice. For the council, it is an early, tangible piece of investment that elected members hope will demonstrate Gloucester’s capacity to attract further development as the city charts its future.
The council’s scrutiny meeting took place on 5 October, where the Costco project and the masterplan were discussed. As the December opening approaches, attention will shift to how the site operates and whether the predicted spill‑over benefits to the city centre materialise.
