Due to the building of the Oxbode and Kings Square the west part of Gloucester started to deteriorate as the city was expanded southwards and eastwards.

Originally Kings Square included the main bus station for Gloucester and a car park.

In the early 1960s an extension of the Bon Marché department store, originally owned by Drapery Trust and is now Debenhams,[2] filled part of the west side of the square.

Between 1969 and 1974, during a large redevelopment of central Gloucester, the square was redesigned and new shops were built on the east and south sides.

Water fountains with stepping stones and paddling areas were created in the centre of the square.

The new design is based on the Severn Bore with wave-shaped granite seating areas, water fountains and coloured lighting.

[11] Construction work started, at the north side of Kings Square, in 1939 paid for by the Associated British Cinemas.

On 6 April 1974 it was closed to be converted to a triple screen cinema with 1,468 seats, and reopened on 22 July 1974.