Vacant shop units in Gloucester are getting a colourful new lease of life, thanks to a new year-long arts project launching this January 2026.
'Meanwhile in Gloucester' aims to turn empty shop units in the city into temporary art galleries and exhibitions 'created with and for Gloucester residents'.
Gloucestershire Arts and Social Projects (GASP!) is behind the project, which is being funded by an £84,300 National Lottery Project Grant through Arts Council England, along with match funding from Gloucester Culture Trust, Gloucestershire Youth Support Team, Gloucester City HAF, Gloucestershire Gateway Trust and Culture Matson.
The project is a response to research conducted at the University of Gloucestershire on how using vacant spaces in this way can 'reanimate town centres undergoing long-term structural changes'.
To support the Eastgate Market and Greyfriars Quarter redevelopment, GASP! will take up residency at The Promenade on the first floor of the Eastgate Shopping Centre, creating a contemporary art gallery space called GAWP! and three studios which will be made available to emerging artists.
It will also be co-creating a programme of artworks and events in the city, culminating in a symposium at the University of Gloucestershire to share the learnings, benefits and challenges of the project.
Hannah Thomson, co-founder and director of GASP!, said: 'The feedback from previous GASP! events is clear. Gloucester residents and visitors want to see more contemporary art exhibitions in the city and have more opportunities to take part in dynamic and locally relevant creative activities. Visitors were delighted to see the ambitious and creative use of empty shops that have long stood empty.'
Relationship manager at Arts Council England, Phillipa Milne, added: 'We're pleased to continue investing in GASP! and their work to platform artwork created by and for the local community.
'Gloucester is strategically important to us as an Arts Council Priority Place and we recognise that cultural engagement has been too low for too long. These meanwhile spaces are one way of addressing that gap and I’m excited to see the shop units draw new audiences to the high street, sparking conversations between artists and residents about the value of in‑person connection and platforms that showcase creativity.'
'Meanwhile in Gloucester' officially launches in March 2026 with an exhibition by photographer Kelly O'Brien at the GAWP! gallery.
