Newly opened exhibitions at City Campus are helping visitors re-live memories of Gloucester’s history

Visitors are enjoying the opportunity to reflect on the history of one of Gloucester’s most iconic buildings in two newly opened exhibitions at University of Gloucestershire’s City Campus.

The Memories of Debenhams exhibition, which runs until 27 March, is showcasing the artefacts held by Gloucestershire Archives, oral histories, and mementos from members of the community and former Debenhams and Bon Marché employees.

Running alongside the Memories of Debenhams exhibition, historian and illustrator Dr Ed Barret has created and launched Reflected Histories: A Department Store of the Imagination.

His work integrates oral histories with archaeological and archival material relating to the new City Campus site to create a group of illustrations based on major themes in the site’s usage across the centuries.

Dr Barret’s images are designed to prompt visitors’ imagination, encouraging them to create their own interpretations and connections with their own memories of Debenhams or ‘The Bon’.

Dr Ed Barret, a University of Gloucestershire graduate, said: “I’m really excited about the opening of the exhibition. I’ve never worked on a project of this scale, with such a wide range of people. It’s been an amazing experience and I’m so happy people are enjoying it.”

Clair Greenaway, Academic Course Leader for BA (Hons) Events Management, said: “It has been a pleasure to connect with community members coming to explore the exhibition and share their memories. We hope lots of visitors to City Campus and the public library will come in to look at this eye-catching display.” 

Jacqui Grange, from Voices Gloucester, said: “It is wonderful to see how the exhibition joins the dots between the medieval history of the area and how the building has been used for hundreds of years. It has sold things from all over the world and now people from all over the world can meet here and continue enjoying the space.”

Officially opened by HRH The Princess Royal in January 2026, City Campus is home to the University’s Education, Psychology and Social Work programmes, while also providing shared public access facilities: a public library in partnership with Gloucestershire County Council, and a new Health, Arts and Wellbeing Centre in partnership with the NHS Integrated Care Board.

Image: Jacqui Grange from Voices Gloucester and Dr Ed Barret at the launch of his Reflected Histories: A Department Store of the Imagination exhibition at City Campus