The street was built in the early 19th century on what were previously sand dunes, as the town of St Helier began to expand to the west, and was an important link between the Parade and the coast when troops were garrisoned in the hospital building. The Street was named after the King's nephew, the Duke of Gloucester, who came to Jersey in 1817.
A magnificent ceremonial arch was erected across the road for the visit of Queen Victoria in 1846 and because this was very much one of the 'gateways' to St Helier in Victorian times, further arches were erected at times of subsequent celebrations.
- A history of Gloucester Street, an article based on a Jersey Archive presentation in 2016
- History of Gloucester Street, a further Jersey Archive presentation from 2019
Businesses
Cycle school
When the cycling craze hit Jersey at the end of the 19th century, one of the largest dealerships was Willmore's Cycle School in Gloucester Street. Despite the spelling of the proprietor's name in the advertisement on the left below, it was actually Willmore, as can be seen from the photograph of a display at a trades exhibition, and the second advertisement for Willmore's skating rink, another attraction at the bottom of Gloucester Street