Work starts on FWP-designed community and sports hub

29 Feb 2024

FWP Hub

Work is underway to create a vibrant new multi-million pound sports, leisure and community centre in Gloucester designed by FWP.

The Blackbridge Community and Sports Hub will serve the Podsmead area of the city, bringing the community closer together and improving the wellbeing of young people.

Gloucester based construction firm EG Carter has been appointed to deliver the scheme and work has now started on site.

Leading architecture, design and masterplanning practice FWP’s green vision for the community-owned development seamlessly connects its sports areas with the natural environment.

The scheme will provide a stylish two-story community sports hub building with changing facilities, function rooms, gym spaces, community offices, youth working zones and studio spaces.

The community will also benefit from a floodlit 3G full-size football pitch, two full-size football fields and a cricket field, along with extensive landscaping.

FWP carried out the design work for the Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society (www.blackbridge.org.uk). The hub will be created for the community group on a site that is part of existing playing fields.

As well as architectural design, the multi-disciplinary practice will provide project management, quantity surveying, CDM co-ordination, mechanical and electrical engineering, and structural engineering on the project.

Brad Grime, FWP Senior Associate, said: “We’re delighted that work has begun on a development that will be a massive asset to the local community.

“What we have created will give people access to a wider range of sport, health and leisure activities and offer inviting spaces for social events.

“Our aim has been to secure the site’s continued long-term viable and sustainable use as a mixed-use sports, leisure and social asset by creating an attractive and welcoming complex.

“Once completed the hub will be a place where sports, leisure and community activities flourish and it will play an important role in the health and wellbeing of young people in the district.”

He added: “Sustainability and the natural environment also played a key role in our approach to the design of the hub.

“To that end, we intend to achieve Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust's ‘Building with Nature’ accreditation by seamlessly connecting the new sports areas with the natural environment of the area.”

Mark Gale, director of the Blackbridge Charitable Community Benefit Society, said he expected the “fantastic” site to open to the community in early 2025.

FWP, which is headquartered in Preston and has offices in Manchester and London, has built a national reputation for delivering successful community sports projects.

The practice’s strategic advice and design expertise, as well as the ability to work to budgets, proves crucial when sports clubs have limited resources for their plans.

Latest news

1

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant Barnfield team on new Kerakoll site

Kerakoll UK and Barnfield Construction sign contract to build new Preston plant

27 Jun 2025

2

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light Cubico

Scout Moor II meteorological mast gets the green light

26 Jun 2025

3

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes Ravenhead

Breck acquires 21-acre Ravenhead Brickworks site for 300 new homes

26 Jun 2025

4

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business Conlon celebrating its first EOT Day with family at Ribby Hall Village

Conlon marks Employee Ownership Day with family fun celebration, ushering in a new era after 60 years in business

26 Jun 2025

5

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders Northcoders skills support

Lancashire Skills & Employment Hub announces Skills Bootcamps partnership with Northcoders

26 Jun 2025

Background image for hub sign up block

LBV Hub

Leverage Lancashire Business View platforms

Post your news
Post your events
Post your offers
Build your network
Improve your SEO
Gain coverage in the magazine
Sign-up
Events
LBV123 July/August Launch Event
Lancashire Business View magazine launch
Networking
16 Jul 2025

LBV123 July/August Launch Event

Burnley

08:30 - 10:30

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025
BEC 315 X 315 Px
Networking
25 Sep 2025

Lancashire Built Environment Conference 2025

Blackpool Football Club, Blackpool, FY1 6HX

08:30 - 13:00

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Course

Preston Campus, Preston , PR1 2HE

09:00 - 17:00

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course
UCLanAerialCampus.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Seminars
21 Feb 2025 - 21 Feb 2026

CMI Level 5 Project Management Course

Preston Campus, Preston, PR1 2HE

08:00 - 17:00

Business Bike Club – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
01 Jul 2025 - 01 Jul 2025

Business Bike Club – July

Various, Lancaster, LA

08:00 - 09:30

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July
Chamber Logo1.png.png
LBV Hub Networking
02 Jul 2025 - 02 Jul 2025

Chamber Breakfast Networking – July

St John's Hospice, Slyne Road, Lancaster, LA2 6ST

08:00 - 10:00

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4
LBV Hub Seminars
04 Jul 2025 - 04 Jul 2025

The Marketing Metrics that Matter – July 4

Door4 Office, Burnley Wharf, Burnley, BB11 1JG

08:30 - 11:00

Chamber Summer BBQ
LBV Hub Social
17 Jul 2025 - 17 Jul 2025

Chamber Summer BBQ

The Borough, Dalton Square, Lancaster, LA1 1PP

17:30 - 20:00

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?
July Longer Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
29 Jul 2025 - 29 Jul 2025

Preston Tech Connection: Web3 is Dead. Or is It?

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

18:00 - 19:30

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July
Longer July Banner.jpg.jpg
LBV Hub Networking
31 Jul 2025 - 31 Jul 2025

Preston Freelancer Meet-Up: July

Society1, Coworking Space, Preston, PR1 3LT

10:00 - 11:30

Cumbria Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880461633-4862066883-1-original.20241022-110415.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
19 Sep 2025 - 19 Sep 2025

Cumbria Business Expo 2025

Carlisle Racecourse, Carlisle, CA2 4TS

09:00 - 15:00

North West Business Expo 2025
https---cdn.evbuc.com-images-880456273-4862066883-1-original.20241022-105445.jpeg.jpg
LBV Hub Exhibitions
24 Oct 2025 - 24 Oct 2025

North West Business Expo 2025

Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton, BL6 6SF

09:00 - 15:00

Advertise with us

Reaching 50,000 members, our print, digital and event platforms offer a fantastic way to raise your business profile and help you grow.

Find out more LBV122 Online Graphic
Subscribe now

Weekly news bulletin