Welcome to Monday’s edition of The Raikes Journal.

Today we flag a whole series of events again – looking forward through August into September and even breaching October. It’s not comprehensive, but it’s some of the highlights we’ve spotted.

We give another plug to Cheltenham Animal Shelter in our regular Monday Charity of the Week spot – mainly because it has a 100th birthday black tie ball on the horizon, which everyone is invited to attend and enjoy and which will help support the charity’s work.

And we also draw your attention to an expert article by Katie Duthie, a legal expert with one of our sponsors, Willans LLP solicitors, which focuses on the rising number of people disputing wills. Apparently those wanting a bigger share the estate of the deceased, or those looking to stop others claiming a share, are increasingly using DNA tests in the hope of winning their arguments.

But the main article revisits a company we’ve reported on a few times over the last two years, not least because we struggle to think of another in the county that is growing quite so fast. Its ascent is simply astonishing.

On another more personal note, this is the penultimate edition before I take two weeks annual leave, returning at the start of September.

Enjoy.

Best regards,

Andrew Merrell

Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk

Charity of the week: 100 years of the Cheltenham Animal Shelter

We’ve featured this Cheltenham Animal Shelter before in this weekly slot, not least because it used to be the chosen charity of one of the founding fathers of The Raikes Journal, Willans LLP. But when an organisation is about to celebrate its 100th birthday, it’s surely worth acknowledging? On Friday 11 September it will celebrate with a drinks reception, black-tie ball and three-course dinner at Pittville Pump Room. Live music will come from Tux Fizz and celebrations will go on later into the night. All proceeds will go towards what the charity has been fighting for for all these years – helping support and give better lives to homeless cats, dogs and small animals. More here.

Why DNA testing is now being used to settle inheritance disputes

An article by a Gloucestershire solicitor shows just how far we’re prepared to go to settle the rising number of disputed wills - and how her firm helped decide DNA testing was a valid tool.

Using DNA testing to settle inheritance disputes might sound an extreme measure, but as the value of estates rises a growing number of us are finding once straight forward wills are being contested from all sides.

Individuals claiming to be related to the deceased and therefore able to make a claim on the estate, and others attempting to disinherit, are part of a growing trend.

It’s left lawyers reaching for science in their efforts to settle such ‘are they or are they not related’ disputes, and Cheltenham law firm Willans LLP has played a key role shaping the case law in this sensitive area.

“We’ve seen an increase in inheritance disputes in recent years, and the use of DNA evidence is no longer unusual,” said Katie Duthie, senior associate solicitor at Willans LLP, who has written an intriguing expert article on the subject.

“As family structures become more complex and genetic testing becomes more accessible, it is playing an increasingly important role in determining who is entitled to inherit.

“We’ve advised several clients whose cases have involved DNA testing, highlighting how advances in forensic science can provide clearer evidence where family relationships are disputed.”

As she says in her article, it’s not as straight forward as you might think: “Its use raises important legal, procedural, and practical issues.

“How does DNA testing in UK inheritance claims work, when might the court order it, and what does it mean for potential claimants and beneficiaries of estates?

All of which she answers in the article too.

You can read Katie Duthie’s full article here: The role of DNA testing in inheritance disputes.

Briefing notes…

💻💷💷 A tech firm founded by two Gloucestershire entrepreneurs has raised another £500,000 of seed funding to expand its AI-driven background screening platform beyond the education sector. Safehire.ai helps organisations make safer, faster recruitment and safeguarding-led decisions and used former military intelligence specialists to train its AI (artificial intelligence) technology. Co-founder of the London-based business, Simon Holden, a former school bursar, is based near Gloucester, and Sean Lumley, co-founder of cybersecurity platform CybSafe, is based near Stroud. The pair met during army training at Sandhurst.

🏘️🏘️🏘️ Fears small village will be ruined by 1,090-home plan: There are fears plans to build almost 19,000 homes in the Cotswolds over the next two decades “will ruin” communities, including a small village near Cirencester. Cotswold District Council has been tasked by the Government to come up with a plan for housing development in the district. And council leaders are in the process of considering a new local plan to meet this aim and provide a blueprint for housing, employment and leisure sites until 2043. More here.

🏘️🏘️🏘️ Hundreds call for plans for new town to be ‘ruled out’: Hundreds of people have signed an open letter calling for a controversial new 3,500-home town on the A417 to be “ruled out” of a council’s new blueprint for housing. Forest of Dean residents are calling on councillors to ditch plans for the houses at Glynchbrook, near junction 2 of the M50. The Forest of Dean District Council decided on June 30 to withdraw its draft local plan and work on a new blueprint, which will set out where more than 13,000 homes will be built over the next 20 years. More here.

Dates for your diary…

As we move into the holiday period and it feels like the What’s On calendar has gone blank, here are some dates for your diary stretching into October, starting with a short feature on a special event for property investors and landlords in September…

• Cheltenham BID, Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council’s ‘public realm update and engagement event’ at Hub8 MX on Tuesday 11 August from 5pm to 7pm. More here.

• WSP Solicitors’ Tapas Tuesday networking event – Tuesday, 8 September from noon till 2pm at Sebz Cafe Tapas Restaurant, Gloucester. More here.

• Cheltenham Animal Shelter celebrates 100 years with a fundraising drinks reception, three-course dinner, black-tie ball and live music from Tux Fizz at Pittville Pump Room on Friday 11 September. More here.

• The Property Forum’s State of the Nation event at The Shirt Factory, Gloucester, on Thursday 17 September, sponsored by Willans LLP solicitors and Hazlewoods. A panel featuring city MP Alex McIntyre will discuss housing, planning, regulation, and the wider economic outlook. 9am to 11am. More here.

• The Property Forum’s Inspiring Women, The Tavern, Cheltenham, on Thursday 24 September. Sarah Bryars, vice chair and trustee of Friends of Westonbirt, will host with special guest Sophie Nash, programme manager for Forestry England. BPE Solicitors sponsors. More here.

• Together Gloucestershire is due to stage its latest Meet the Buyer event at Hartpury University and Hartpury College on Wednesday September 30 from 10am to 3pm. This is your chance to meet the procurement team at Hartpury, position yourself as a credible partner and secure new contracts. More here.

• The team from CyNam is due to stage Gloucestershire Tech Week (GTW) from 12th to 16 October. More here.

The Raikes Journal is a community interest company. Everything you read is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

Readers who upgrade to become a paid subscriber become part of this CIC too (from £2.30 a week). It helps make us sustainable, allows you to see past the paywalls, comment on our stories, and know you’re making possible the county’s only editorially-led digital magazine dedicated to delivering quality journalism for Gloucestershire about its businesses, charities, education and training sectors.

Raikes is the only independent website approved to use the BBC’s local Government copy. It recognises Raikes as independent journalism.

Subscribe now

More success for ‘Gloucestershire’s fastest growing business’

When it landed a major contract with a world-famous airline earlier this year we wondered out loud if it was Gloucestershire’s fastest-growing firm. That claim has just become even more convincing.

Back in April we asked if this was Gloucestershire’s fastest growing business – more an attempt to get you to read the article than us being able to put our hands on our hearts and say the statement was true, even if the figures were pretty convincing.

Skyborne, which is headquartered at Gloucestershire Airport, had just won a major contract to train pilots for EasyJet, adding another household name to its portfolio of international airline customers.

The argument for giving it the title ‘king of growth’ were already compelling. Its financials described an upward trajectory befitting of the planes its airline pilots train to fly, with turnover rising from £13m in 2022, £17.9m in 2023 and £27.1m in 2024.

It was enough for us to also name it as a winner of one of our on-going Raikes Recognition Awards, which we give to Gloucestershire businesses, organisations and individuals achieving incredible things.

But it’s now published it latest annual report for the year ending 31 December 2025 and turnover shows no signs of levelling off just yet, with the figure reaching £41.6m. And profit before taxation came in at £4.9m, up from a £752,000 loss the previous year.

That’s growth of more than 53 per cent.

“We continue to see month-on-month growth in student enrolments and revenues,” said Lee Woodward (pictured below), co-founder and chief executive officer of Skyborne.

“Skyborne has secured long-term contracts with British Airways, Jet 2, Ryanair, FlyDubai, EasyJet and IndiGo.

“Over the past year, there has been an increase in the British Airways-funded pilot numbers and Skyborne is the preferred supplier to British Airways for this programme.

“The scale, robustness, and diverse nature of these contracts alone offer a high degree of safeguarding of our business.”

As well as the UK (the firm has invested millions of pounds into Gloucestershire, in terms of facilities at Staverton and accommodation in Cheltenham) the business has operations in Bournemouth Airports and Vero Beach Airport, Florida.

“In the US, there has been some over-indexing with regard to manpower in the post-covid (pandemic) consumer demand for travel, which has settled to a more normal position,” said Woodward.

“In addition, there continues to be challenges with regards to supply of B737 MAX and A320 NEO/CEO aircraft in the US, which is curtailing airline growth in the short-term. That said, airline yields are at record levels in certain businesses as consumer demand for air travel remains very strong.”

He added: “The group’s long-term strategy continues to be to grow the business through both organic growth of its existing sites and the acquisition and development of further sites as opportunities present themselves.

“In 2026, Skyborne will commence ATPCTP training for those pilots leaving the light aircraft environment to transition to airline operations.

“The group is also planning to launch a Part 147 Aircraft Maintenance Training academy at the Vero Beach facility.

“In order to facilitate the growth of student enrolments and the associated training, there will be a requirement in the next two years to purchase 32 more aircrafts (15 Piper 100i and 4 DA 42’s), as well as two more simulators.

“It is likely that the airlines are going to require more pilots in the coming years. There is the beginning of airline programmes for student pilots, some of which may well be fully sponsored.

“Skyborne continues to work with the airlines to develop innovative training solutions and to ensure that we retain the trust of the airlines and our customers.”

There are fears plans to build almost 19,000 homes in the Cotswolds over the next two decades “will ruin” communities including a small village near Cirencester.

Cotswold District Council has been tasked by the Government to come up with a plan for housing development in the district.

And council leaders are in the process of considering a new local plan to meet this aim and provide a blueprint for housing, employment and leisure sites until 2043.

Planners are proposing the creation of ten strategic sites which will take 90 per cent of the new housing.

But residents in small villages such as Driffield, where 1,090 could be built, fear the local plan is “crazy” and will “ruin everything about the community”.

Liberal Democrat council leader Mike Evemy (Siddington and Cerney Rural) acknowledged the “anxiety and concern” caused by the draft local plan, at a cabinet meeting on August 6.

“I recognise that for some of our communities that may have been surprising what was in there,” Cllr Evemy said.

He explained the council is “facing a Government that has imposed a housing target” upon it.

“When the new government was elected two years ago they talked about building 1.5 million homes in five years. That’s 300,000 a year,” Cllr Evemy said.

“As a consequence of that the figure they expect to be delivered from the Cotswold district more than doubled to over 1,000 a year from less than 500.”

He said as a result the council’s policies are deemed out of date and there is a tilted balance in favour of development.

“Essentially that is speculative development aside from those developments that tare on our already allocated sites,” he added.

He went on to say that he has written to three different ministers and each of the three occasions they made clear they would not change the target.

“The Government has been steadfast and they have not budged on the target.”

Neil White, from Driffield Parish Council, was among several public speakers who spoke at the cabinet meeting and said the proposals are going to “ruin” the small village which currently has around 40 houses.

“People who have been there for years love it,” he said. “This is going to ruin it.

“It’s just crazy. It’s ruining a community and everything about it in every single sense.”

Cllr Evemy said he understands why people are anxious over the plan.

“There are communities like yours in other parts of the district as well that are feeling similarly anxious and very concerned,” he said.

“The emotions that you’ve expressed. I think we get it.”

Cllr White interjected to ask if he would take it into consideration.

“Members must consider everything and come to a considered view,” Cllr Evemy replied.

“That’s our job as councillors.

“We were elected to do a job and sometimes you get decisions like this that are difficult.”

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

Hundreds of people have signed an open letter calling for a controversial 3,500-home town on the A417 to be “ruled out” of a council’s new blueprint for housing.

Forest of Dean residents have signed an open letter calling on councillors to rule out the controversial new town which was previously put forward at Glynchbrook, near junction 2 of the M50.

The Forest of Dean District Council decided on June 30 to withdraw its draft local plan and work on a new blueprint, which will set out where more than 13,000 homes will be built over the next 20 years.

Residents in the Redmarley area warn the Glynchbrook site remains “unsustainable” and a gathering in the village this week, attended by Forest MP Matt Bishop, has sent a clear message that the community would stand against the proposed development’s return.

Vicky Goodall, 52, a nurse from Redmarley, said: “Our open letter offers the council a workable solution that delivers on the housing targets, and ensures development is sustainable.”

Members of United Against Glynchbrook (UAG) assembled in Redmarley Village Hall on August 4, on the edge of the site that would host the proposed 3,500 home new town, wedged against the Malvern Hills National Landscape and the historic villages of Redmarley and Lowbands.

In a Facebook post following the event, Matt Bishop MP said: “I have made it clear that I do not support this large settlement … it is so important that residents take part… to ensure the local plan reflects local need.”

Mike Holtom, 66, a retired supply chain planning manager, added: “Glynchbrook is not the right place to build homes – everyone, including the council, has accepted that. However, we know that new homes need to be built in order to meet the district’s housing target.

“We hope the council considers our proposals – which are evidenced using the assessments of experts in their field.

“By expanding Lydney and Tutshill further, our reports show that both of those areas can be made even better places to live and the council will not need to build new towns.”

At the meeting, Vicky Goodall said: “We want new homes to be built, but they need to be built in places that deliver for people that move there.

“New homes need to be built near stations, schools and shops – our plan sets out how those homes can be delivered. We hope councillors engage with it.”

While residents have welcomed the local plan being pulled, UAG is concerned that the council may attempt to push Glynchbrook through again.

Phil Waring, 66, a Lowbands resident, said: “The new Local Plan is a great chance for the council to reassess how new homes can be delivered in the Forest of Dean in a sustainable way.

“Glynchbrook must be ruled out. Everyone knows it is not a viable option. I really hope Lydney and Tutshill are considered by the council – they are the options that can allow the council to meet its target in a sustainable way.

“Local residents have signed this open letter to make clear to the council that local people are still engaged in the Local Plan process. We hope they engage with our proposal.”

In the letter, residents argued that Glynchbrook would fall foul of the government’s new criteria for developing local plans, set out in the National Planning Policy Framework, as updated in December last year.

For instance, residents claimed that Glynchbrook could not deliver “sustainable transport”, as it would depend almost entirely on the car, with the nearest town 10km away and the nearest railway station 11km, and would make local roads roughly 50 per cent busier in the morning peak.

It notes that an independent study calls it “essentially unsuitable for a new settlement” and could harm the historic Chartist settlement of Lowbands, noting that no Infrastructure Delivery Plan, viability assessment or Strategic Flood Risk Assessment was ever produced for the site.

Using the government’s new methodology for determining local plans, UAG points to sites it says already have the infrastructure a new town lacks: Lydney, the district’s largest town, where analysis by Create Streets shows a “gentle density” of well-designed streets could add a further 3,200 to 4,600 homes and could be built around its existing station, schools and high street.

An independent landscape study by LVIA Ltd rated Lydney as “most capable of accommodating growth”.

In addition, UAG recommends a small expansion of Tutshill of around 500-700 homes, within 2km of Chepstow station, as well as wider spread of smaller sites, providing an additional 2,800 homes. The same study found “strong potential for landscape-led expansion.”

UAG says it will work constructively with the council as work on the new local plan gets underway.

The district council’s decision to pull the plan came after more than 3,600 responses to teh public consultation they held between January and March this year.

Feedback highlighted strong concerns about the options required to meet Government housing targets and proposed site suitability for the Forest of Dean.

Council leader Adrian Birch (G, Tidenham) said at the time that the authority’s first priority is to ensure that they listen to and deliver for residents.

“Having spoken to many residents at our in-person events earlier this year, and having carefully reviewed the consultation feedback, it is clear that the options needed to meet Government housing targets could not be achieved without more work to be right for our area,” he said.

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

Welcome to Friday’s edition of The Raikes Journal.

Today we lead on an article which sees us attempt to lift the lid on just what is driving growth at an exciting Gloucestershire-headquartered IT firm – why does it continue to attract customers, what’s its story, who is in the driving seat and just how big does it think it can become?

We’re talking about Emerge Digital, a business you may have seen staging events around the county, on the shirts as sponsor of Gloucester Rugby, and popping up on social media after signing former international rugby players onto its team.

And in other news, we focus on a new senior appointment at Gloucestershire College. Dan Smale has joined as the college’s new director to lead digitech programmes. People have shared the story, but no one has asked ‘why?’.

The answer points to the rise-and-rise of further education.

We repeat the news we sent out as a special news bulletin this morning, about major investment at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital, tell you about Spirax Sarco’s fortunes, plans by Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) to invest significantly in the county, and two stories describing the ever-present trials and tribulations of trying to build any homes in the county.

Just in case you missed Monday’s story, which is one of our best-read of all time here’s a link: ‘An incredible demonstration of how a business can supercharge a community’.

Have a great weekend.

Best regards,

Andrew Merrell

Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk

Briefing notes

🏗️🏥 There are plans for a new five-storey critical care building at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Hospital chiefs say the modular building (a building constructed off-site) is needed in Gloucester to help meet the increase in demand expected in the coming years. The Department of Critical Care (DCC) at the Great Western Road hospital currently provides 19 beds and no longer has the capacity to meet existing clinical demand. Modelling suggests the hospital will need capacity to accommodate a yearly predicted growth in demand of three per cent, according to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. More here.

📈 One of Gloucestershire’s biggest employers that has its headquarters in the county has reported a rise in turnover to more than half a billion pounds. Spirax Sarco, which has its head office in Cheltenham and employs more than 1,150 staff - an increase of more than 20 on last year - said turnover had reached £5,078,000, up 3.8 per cent. It was growth “achieved against a challenging backdrop where industrial production contracted” in its key markets. The firm is a specialist in the use of steam in countless industrial processes and trades globally. It also has 75 staff overseas. Operating profit was down by 15.7 per cent, to £1,517,000, some of which was drive by increased staff costs. Spending on research and development was up, from £314,000 to £668,000.

🎉💷💷 As it seeks to celebrate its 80th birthday since construction began on its Forest of Dean factory, drinks manufacturer Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has revealed targeted investments it claims will benefit the region by more than £57 million. The producer of Lucozade and Ribena, which is based in Coleford, said investment includes a new £25m manufacturing line due to start production in 2027 and £14.5m on a next-generation blackcurrant processing facility in Ledbury, operational in time for this summer’s harvest. Sustainability projects also remain central to long-term growth, said the business.

🏘️ Questions have been raised over how the A417 and A419 corridor will cope with plans to build 7,600 new homes in the Cotswolds. Cotswold District Council is in the process of creating its new blueprint which will set out where development is expected to take place between now and 2043. Planners have been tasked with finding sites for 18,900 new homes and are looking to create 10 new strategic sites which will take 90 per cent of the housing. More here.

🏗️🏘️ A developer wants to make sure the foul drainage system in a village where residents complain of sewage in their homes and gardens can support its “desperately needed” plans for 100 homes. A&K Gateshead has submitted plans to develop land off the A38 Tewkesbury Road in Twigworth, near Gloucester, to Tewkesbury Borough Council. Residents and local parish councils have objected to the scheme and raised concerns over traffic, flooding and the sewage system not being able to cope amid reports of sewage flooding people’s homes and gardens. More here.

Diary dates…

Today:

Elmore Festival. Four days of chamber music and live jazz featuring internationally acclaimed performers plays out today and Saturday at the 13th-century Church of St John the Baptist in Elmore. More here.

Saturday:

Elmore Festival (see above) wraps up tonight at the 13th-century Church of St John the Baptist in Elmore. More here.

Bottomless Brunch at Central Bar & Kitchen, right in the heart of The Sub Rooms, Stroud. From 2pm. £30. More here.

Sunday:

Sherlock Holmes and the Mystery of the Governor’s Nose: The Everyman Theatre, Cheltenham. 6.30pm. More here.

The rise and rise of further education…

News broke this week of a senior appointment at Gloucestershire College, but no other publisher spoke to the college or asked why it had created the role of a new director to lead digitech programmes – or why Dan Smale had decided to take up the position. So The Raikes Journal did.

Smale told us “some of the most exciting developments in digital skills are happening right here in further education. We’re close to employers, fast to adapt, and directly plugged into what industry actually needs next. Being one of a handful of Technical Excellence Colleges in the UK specialising in digital and technologies puts us in a real position to lead on the national stage. If the tech sector is going to grow at the pace the country & economy needs, FE provision and facilities are central to that.”

Is there a sense that an increasing number are choosing the FE route to work rather than load up on debt via university?

“Application numbers remain strong, with further education applications up year to date,” the college told us.

When once FE might have been thought of as a place for apprentices to learn the trades or for those who aren’t university bound, as if that was somehow a lesser path, Gloucestershire College is winning funding and forever changing. It continues to expand its construction offering.

But on the digitech side, in 2021 it opened its £3 million Advanced Digital Academy, a year after it revealed it would also be delivering Cyber Security Degree Apprenticeship in partnership with the University of the West of England. It has received recognition from the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC), a part of GCHQ, for its excellence in cyber security education, and developed close relationships with CyNam, the influential Gloucestershire-based cyber security network.

“Gloucestershire College aims to grow learner volumes across further education, higher education, apprenticeships and commercial training’ plus ‘ensure long-term alignment with employer demand and national skills priorities,” said a spokesman.

That’s why Smale saw the move to Gloucestershire College as a smart one – and why the college went looking for someone to help it lead the charge. More here.

The Raikes Journal is a community interest company. Everything you read is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

Readers who upgrade to become a paid subscriber become part of this CIC too (from £2.30 a week). It helps make us sustainable, allows you to see past the paywalls, comment on our stories, and know you’re making possible the county’s only editorially-led digital magazine dedicated to delivering quality journalism for Gloucestershire about its businesses, charities, education and training sectors.

Raikes is the only independent website approved to use the BBC’s local Government copy. It recognises Raikes as independent journalism.

Subscribe now

Why is this Gloucestershire IT firm in such demand?

We talk to the team shaping one of the region’s fastest-growing tech-support firms, and ask why the future looks very bright indeed.

Nigel Church and Tom Henson make for a fascinating team. Church, who is unapologetically driven to succeed, couldn’t be prouder of the culture and staff behind the growth at Emerge Digital.

And Henson, who partnered with him to become managing director of the managed IT service provider, is a man who has been there done it - who helped grow a similar business before, and see it sold too.

Church’s journey with Emerge Digital began when he stepped away from a hugely successful career in sales working for pioneering tech firms where deals were six figures long to buy a struggling business after a conversation in a pub.

His career until that point had been all about selling the next wave of transformational tech to businesses – from Xerox’s colour printers to 3D printers, to the pioneering computer design software of US firm PTC (Parametric Technology Corporation), to Vanco (which pioneered virtual networks for large, multinational enterprises and FTSE firms), to the IT support and finance solutions of Syscap Ltd and the managed networks and security solutions of Global Cloud Xchange.

Each firm was at the forefront of the next big tech revolution for business. It was all very big business and exciting, but he was ready for a new challenge, wanted to shape something himself, and came across his ‘opportunity’ almost by accident.

“I was working for Vanco (a major Dutch business), but living in Worcester and I used to go to a pub called the Coach & Horses on a Friday after a busy week at work, from time to time, and I got friendly with some of the guys there,” recalls Church.

Those guys were running a business, First Solutions Tech (a managed IT service provider). The business was facing a challenging period, but Church recognised its underlying potential.

It had infrastructure, customers, skilled staff and a brand. All the constituent parts were there, he explained, all the difficult bits that take time to pull together.

“I felt we could build something really good,” he said.

So, he made an offer, taking a controlling share.

It was a big decision. It meant he would be leaving a job where deals were struck in the millions of pounds, a world he knew well and thrived in, to try to shape and grow a business himself.

But he could see potential for First Solutions Tech and couldn’t let go of the idea.

Back then ‘the cloud’ (where your software, data, and computing services run on the internet instead of your own hard drive) was an emerging concept, and Church knew it would fast become the next point of focus for companies.

“I could see what it could do for SMEs,” he said, and felt sure First Solutions Tech could position itself well to help firms take advantage.

That was 2011.

Two years later his business partner wanted to sell up and Church found himself in charge of the firm in its entirety.

One of his first big decisions was to move it lock, stock and barrel to Cheltenham (a UK hot spot for cyber businesses) where he saw significant opportunities for growth.

The next big step was to rebrand to Emerge Digital. That was 2022.

When I asked him if he knew he was entrepreneurial Church bats away the idea, suggesting he is not doing anything ‘new’ enough to earn the title. But perhaps he is.

In a competitive marketplace heavy with firms that claim to be able to manage your IT, deliver you cyber security, integrate your phone systems, take you safely to the cloud and heaven knows what else, together with Henson he has positioned Emerge Digital at the very head of the pack.

And together they’ve overseen significant growth.

At the end of December 2024 Emerge Digital revealed it had increased turnover by 30 per cent and customer base by 26 per cent.

Its latest contracts contributed to 84 per cent growth for its innovation arm, which handles all client projects involving new and cutting-edge technologies such as AI and automation.

It gave the business the confidence to predict a doubling of revenue by mid-2026. Something it’s managed.

On average annual growth has been 15 per cent and for the year ending July 2025 turnover was just under £3.1 million. It sees no reason why that won’t continue.

Henson said: “We’re just in the process of putting together a new three-year plan.

“There is a lot of opportunity out there. I think customers are keen to find tech partners who can help them.

“And when you get to our size it opens up the opportunity to acquire businesses as well.”

Henson wouldn’t allow is to publish the figure he suggested the firm could turnover in just a few years time, but don’t be surprised to see it chasing down double figures.

Staff numbers have grown too – to 23 – with high-profile additions including former Gloucester Rugby and England player Mark Atkinson (pictured top, far left) in August 2024, and earlier this year former British and Irish Lions and Wales’ wing, Alex Cuthbert, who joined as regional business development director for South Wales.

“The expansion into Cardiff represents a strategic intention to grow our business across the South West,” said Church.

“Any move into new markets comes with its risks, but we believe Cardiff and the whole of south Wales offers a fantastic opportunity to continue our growth - though there is still much more work to be done.

“AI clearly represents an area of significant growth for the business, and we see it as a key driver of innovation and value for both our clients and our own operations.”

The business’s rugby connection goes deeper than the signing of two former players too.

Emerge Digital has forged a strong working relationship with Gloucester Rugby and is one of its sponsors, working with the Kingsholm club to develop one of the leading conference and interactive event spaces in the city.

And in March this year it achieved B Corp status, the sought-after certification underlining a commitment to environmental, social, and governance standards.

Culture is a recurring theme of the conversation with both Church and Henson.

Initiatives inside the firm have included the launch of ApexAI, a service focused on employee digital wellbeing for their clients as well as their own, and a profit-sharing scheme with paid leave for charity support.

Church also serves as a board trustee for the Cheltenham Open Door charity.

When I sat down to speak to both men at the Emerge Digital HQ in Eagle Tower I expected to be bamboozled by tech talk, but Henson completely wrongfoots me.

“I joined about seven years ago now. It was because of the culture,” he said.

“There are a lots of IT companies out there. They are often very tech-led. Of course, tech is important to us.

“But it’s all about how we shape it around the people, relationships and partnerships.

“That’s part of the culture of our business. Bringing people like Mark (Atkinson) and Alex (Cuthbert) in helps too. They have spent a career thinking about performance.”

He added: “Over the last five to six years, since Covid, people have seen tech as a way of cutting costs.

“We see tech as being able to make a huge difference to our client’s productivity. Covid has just helped accelerate that.

“Unless you are a big business, however, with a whole department dedicated to technology, it can be hard to get the most from it without support.

“You can end up spending money on things you don’t want, don’t need or can’t understand how to get the best out of.”

And that’s where Emerge Digital has positioned itself. As each new wave of tech for business begins to emerge the Cheltenham firm’s team masters it. It’s what it does with that knowledge that is what makes its approach different, as Henson explains.

“When it comes to AI (artificial intelligence, the latest tech transforming business activity), it’s not about the technology itself, it’s about what your business wants to achieve and then about how AI can help it do that,” he said.

“We always sit down and listen to our customer first and ask them about their business, get to know it and what they want to achieve.

“Then we show them how we can help them get there using what we do.

“Tech, if well used, can help growth without always needing to add to headcount, for example.

“For a lot of our clients it’s about finding that balance. We have the ability to help them achieve that and help them get and show them how it can benefit them in any other way too.”

Questions have been raised over how the A417 and A419 corridor will cope with plans to build 7,600 new homes in the Cotswolds.

Cotswold District Council is in the process of creating its new blueprint which will set out where development is expected to take place between now and 2043.

Planners have been tasked with finding sites for 18,900 new homes and are looking to create 10 new strategic sites which will take 90 per cent of the housing.

However, concerns have been raised over the impact thousands of new homes in and south of Cirencester will have on the A419 and A417.

Driffield is among the areas planned for new housing and under the proposals would see 1,090 homes built over the plan period along with a new primary school, employment sites and a local centre. However, this could rise to 2,220 in the future

One resident, who raised concerns about the Driffield allocation at a meeting earlier this week, said the council is proposing 7,600 homes in and around Cirencester and questioned whether local roads would cope.

He referenced the draft local plan in the neighbouring Stroud district where inspectors raised concerns over capacity issues at junction 12 and 14 of the M5 and asked if the impact on the A417, A419 corridor has been considered.

“Cotswold now proposes 7,597 dwellings of allocated capacity in and around Cirencester. Of which circa 6,000 fall within the planned period,” he said.

“At Driffield your strategic transport assessment only models 1,090 dwellings and yet the allocation is for over 2200.

“What written confirmation has the council obtained from National Highways that it’s content with the assessment of the A417 and A419 corridor for the full allocation.”

Andrew Maxted, interim head of planning policy and infrastructure at Cotswold District Council, replied saying the evidence which has been considered for Driffield is on the proposal for 1,090 homes.

“The evidence is focused on the development proposed to 2043, which is 1090,” he said.

“National Highways are engaging on that basis for the most part.

“The plan is saying there is potential for development beyond 2043 but it’s not specifically allocating that.

“It’s allocating the housing up to 2043 which is what has been tested at this stage.”

The overview and scrutiny committee ultimately called on council chiefs to look again at the proposed transport infrastructure included in the plan.

The cabinet is due to consider the local plan today (August 6) before all councillors can debate the blueprint at a special meeting on August 12.

If approved, a further public consultation on the draft plan is scheduled to run for six weeks from August 24 to October 5, 2026.

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

A developer wants to make sure the foul drainage system in a village where residents complain of sewage in their homes and gardens can support its “desperately needed” plans for 100 homes.

A&K Gateshead has submitted plans to develop land off the A38 Tewkesbury Road in Twigworth, near Gloucester, to Tewkesbury Borough Council.

Residents and local parish councils have objected to the scheme and raised concerns over traffic, flooding and the sewage system not being able to cope amid reports of sewage flooding people’s homes and gardens.

They say there is a high demand for new homes in the borough and that before any homes can be built they want to make sure the local sewage and drainage infrastructure can sustainably support their development.

The developers say they will work with Severn Trent Water to ensure the needed improvements are identified and delivered to support their development.

“With 1,700 households on housing waiting lists across Tewkesbury borough, there is a high number of people who need well-connected, affordable homes,” a spokesperson for A&K Gateshead said.

“Our proposals would provide around 100 desperately needed new homes at a time when the council does not have enough land earmarked for new homes. Before any homes can be built, however, we want to make sure that local sewage and drainage infrastructure can sustainably support the development.

“Our proposals have been carefully and sympathetically designed to take the site’s history and changing flood-risk context into consideration, ensuring that drainage, flood risk and the character of the area are properly addressed as part of the design.

“We understand that Severn Trent Water (STW) will progress further technical work, including hydraulic modelling, to establish the current and required capacity and identify any necessary network improvements.

“We will work closely with STW to ensure that any necessary infrastructure improvements are identified and delivered to support the development.”

Tewkesbury Borough Council planners are expected to consider the scheme by October 6, 2026.

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

Ahead of today’s edition of The Raikes Journal we came across this bit of potential good news below about investment in health case in Gloucestershire, and thought we’d send it out as an extra news briefing.

Expect the full edition later this afternoon, which will lead with an interview with the bosses of a county IT firm on why its business continues to achieve growth, your usual briefing notes, ideas for the weekend, diary dates and more.

Best regards,

Andrew Merrell

Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk

New five-story critical care building planned for Gloucester hospital

Hospital chiefs reveal the biggest new addition to Gloucestershire Royal Hospital in years to cope with ever rising demand.

There are plans for a new five-storey critical care building at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.

Hospital chiefs say the modular building (a building constructed off-site) is needed in Gloucester to help meet the increase in demand expected in the coming years.

The Department of Critical Care (DCC) at the Great Western Road hospital currently provides 19 beds and no longer has the capacity to meet existing clinical demand.

Demand modelling suggests the hospital will need capacity to accommodate a yearly predicted growth in demand of three per cent, according to Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

And the plans submitted to Gloucester City Council say 24 critical care beds in open wards and 12 isolation beds are needed within the facility.

The new building will also have supporting spaces including stores, dirty and clean utility, patient testing as well as staff spaces including offices, rest and welfare facilities to support staff in shifts. And relative spaces include waiting rooms, overnight accommodation and kitchen.

There will be an increase in medical, nursing and admin staff of around 20 per cent to operate the new unit.

The proposals also say the Tower Block building needs urgent modernisation as several essential mechanical and electrical systems no longer comply with current standards and regulations.

“A new modular building means that the urgent improvements to the Tower Block building can be completed without the DCC being closed down during the works as patients and staff will decant to the new building,” the plans read.

“No other suitable facility is currently available to the trust.

“The Tower Block as a whole is also separately being improved by the Trust with replacement fire alarm infrastructure, nurse call systems and upgrades to wards.

“This urgent programme will take four years and will involve each ward including the DCC being decanted for six months, meaning the new build DCC unit needs to be operational as soon as possible.

“Due to these requirements a modular solution has been selected by the trust to ensure fast delivery.”

It is essential that the new facility is ready to receive patients when the works to the DCC in the Tower Block begin to ensure there is no period when there is no critical care at the hospital, the plans continue. And a modular building design has been chosen to expedite the works.

The new facility will receive patients from the DCC in the Tower Block as well as elsewhere in the hospital such as the emergency department, resus, obstetrics, theatres and other wards including respiratory high dependency and paediatrics

City planners are expected to consider the scheme by November 3, 2026.

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

Gloucestershire College has announced the appointment of Dan Smale as director of digitech, as the college builds on its reputation as one of only five Technical Excellence Colleges (TECs) in the UK specialising in digital and technologies.

Secured in April 2026 with backing from £175 million in Government funding, the TEC programme aims to equip learners across the UK with the high-level technical skills needed to access well-paid, high-skilled careers in one of Britain’s fastest-growing industries.

With more than 20 years’ experience spanning central government, higher education and the private sector, Dan brings extensive cross-sector expertise in technology leadership, digital transformation and operational delivery.

He began his career as a civil servant in Cheltenham, progressing from software engineering into operational leadership roles supporting missions across the UK and internationally. During this time, he held responsibility for service ownership and accountability, while collaborating with government departments and international partners.

Dan later moved into higher education as head of IT at the University of Gloucestershire, where he led the IT team with responsibility for infrastructure, business systems, service desk operations and data.

He was instrumental in delivering the university’s IT strategy and supporting the institution to become one of the first universities in the UK to achieve Cyber Essentials Plus certification.

More recently, at Fasthosts, Dan led external partnerships, campaigns and community initiatives, while also overseeing the relocation of the company’s UK headquarters to the highly anticipated Forum in Gloucester city centre.

Dan has an unwavering commitment to continuous professional development and holds an MSc with distinction in computing from The Open University, where his research focused on applying artificial intelligence (AI) to network compromise detection.

He also holds a First-Class BSc in computing Informatics from the University of Plymouth, reflecting his strong academic foundation alongside his extensive industry experience, which he will bring to his role at the College.

Gloucestershire College’s mission remains to deliver ‘learning that works’, empowering individuals, widening opportunity and supporting social mobility by providing high-quality technical and professional education.

Dan strongly embodies this mission, having previously delivered specialist lectures to Gloucestershire College learners on areas including cloud computing, containers and artificial intelligence (AI), while helping to bridge the gap between academic theory and industry-standard DevOps practices.

Speaking about his appointment as director of DigiTech, Dan Smale said: “I am delighted to be joining Gloucestershire College as director of digitech and am excited to play a key role in delivering the college’s Technical Excellence College programme for Digital and Technologies.

The opportunity to work with learners, colleagues and employer partners to develop the high-level technical skills needed for the future workforce is incredibly exciting. I look forward to building on the strong foundations already in place, strengthening industry partnerships and helping to create new opportunities for learners across Gloucestershire.”

The appointment aligns with Gloucestershire County Council’s digital strategy and the College’s commitment to delivering employer-led digital skills that support both local and national workforce needs.

As a Technical Excellence College, Gloucestershire College will serve as a hub of excellence, collaborating with other providers to raise standards nationwide while helping to address the growing demand for 600,000 skilled workers in priority industries by 2030.

Andy Bates, chief financial officer at Gloucestershire College, said: “We were proud to be recognised by the Department for Education as a Technical Excellence College.

“Dan’s extensive experience across technology, education and industry will be a great asset as we continue to forge strong partnerships with employers and expand our delivery of employer-led digital skills through digitech.”

This press release was sent to The Raikes Journal by Gloucestershire College in August 2026.

* If you want to see your releases featured here, and included on our email editions, email the editor.

The Raikes Journal is a digital magazine and community interest company whose supporters believe, like us, that journalism about Gloucestershire is worth keeping alive. Everything you read on The Raikes Journal is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors and our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

If you upgrade to paid you will be able to see past the paywalls on our second and third email editions of the week, that lock all our archive after two weeks and lock our rolling Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire, the series that follows the financial fortunes of our biggest firms by turnover. You will be able to comment on our stories too. You’ll be helping make this CIC sustainable. Please do join us.

You can do that for just £2.30 a week - or £1.80 a week if two or more people sign up at once.

We lead on another of our Raikes Recognition Awards stories today, where we single out a business, organisation or individual achieving something outstanding in Gloucestershire.

It’s a series made possible by our sponsors, Willans LLP solicitors, leadership development experts QuoLux and Gloucestershire College.

Today it’s the turn of an individual, a business leader, a family and a whole community – all at once – but we give the award to the sports club at the heart of the story (partly because the man who helped make it all possible went to great pains to deflect any praise we tried to pin on him!).

As we say in the intro to the story, the new prime minister has talked a lot about ‘bringing back hope’, and his critics have asked him how he’s going to pay for that.

The story below talks about how it can be done. The key ingredients appear to be an environment where business can thrive, brilliant leadership and values that see business success as a force for good and not just profit.

As one of our sponsors, QuoLux, would say, wield this power in the right way and business success can create ‘good dividends’ whose impact is felt far and wide.

If you reflect on the times we’re living in, you can’t help but think Peter Bell, the Bell family, and Cinderford Rugby Club and its volunteers have managed something akin to alchemy.

As Dr Stewart Barnes, founder of QuoLux, pointed out to us – imagine what would happen if more business leaders saw their place in their community like Peter Bell and his family see it.

Have a great week.

Best regards,

Andrew Merrell

Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk

Charity of the week… Rising costs hit Gloucestershire charity

Gloucestershire charity The Longfield Community Hospice is the latest to be forced to close one of its stores, a trend begun by such stalwarts of the charity shop sector as British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK. All have blamed a change in shopping habits and rising costs including business rates and staff-related, not to mention the cost of living on consumers’ spending power and the rise in NI contributions and minimum wage. The Longfield, which provides specialist hospice care and support for adults with life-limiting illnesses across the county, said the decision was made following careful consideration as it responds to an increasingly challenging financial climate affecting charities and retailers alike. Its Winchcombe shop will remain open until 1st September. More here.

Briefing notes…

🏘️🏗️🚗🚗 Most of us are in favour of more new homes, even in our own backyard, but waking up to find the number could be close to 2,135 plus a bypass is bound to cause concern. Residents in Moreton-in-Marsh are said to have woken up to find pictures of maps on social media showing a planned bypass “carved through their back gardens” - as well as the 2,135 new homes. A new blueprint for development in the Cotswolds has been put forward by the district council’s Liberal Democrat leadership. The draft local plan aims to allocate land for 18,900 homes to be built by 2043. More here.

💷 It’s emerged that a legal team from Gloucestershire made possible a deal that saw a medical equipment specialist bought by one of Europe’s ‘premier pharmaceutical contract development and manufacturing organisations. Cheltenham-headquartered solicitors Willans LLP solicitors’ corporate and commercial team advised county-based Medical Graphics UK on its sale to The Wasdell Group. The law firm’s real estate team was also involved too. Medical Graphics UK was founded by Ali and Nick Chapman. Its primary products help clinicians diagnose and monitor conditions such as asthma, COPD, and other respiratory or cardiac disorders. Full story here.

💷💷 Community groups across Cheltenham are being invited to apply for a share of £30,000 through the Community Pride fund. The fund aims to support initiatives that strengthen neighbourhoods, celebrate the town’s diverse communities and build pride. Grants of up to £2,000 per project are available on a match‑funding basis. The borough council will cover up to 50 per cent of the total project costs with groups asked to contribute the remainder, which can include in-kind contributions of volunteer time and resources. More here.

Dates for your diary…

As we move into the holiday period and it feels like the What’s On calendar has gone blank, here are some dates for your diary stretching into October, starting with a short feature on a special event for property investors and landlords in September…

• The Cotswolds Huddle - Tuesday, 4 August 2026 at 11:30 am at Vinotopia on the Nailsworth Mills Estate, Avening Road. It’s described as a free, casual networking event for businesses. No booking or tickets required.

• Cheltenham BID, Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council’s ‘public realm update and engagement event’ at Hub8 MX on Tuesday 11 August from 5pm to 7pm. More here.

  Landlords struggling with Renters’ Rights Act to get a helping hand

  Four months on from the introduction of the Renters’ Rights Act clarity is still being sought by landlords, investors, property owners, and developers. Experts from law firm Willans LLP will aim to address concerns of landlords, investors, developers and agents with a free in-person on 8 September from 4pm to 6pm at DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham-Cotswolds, Cirencester Road, Cheltenham GL53 8EA. More here on Friday July 31 edition.

• WSP Solicitors’ Tapas Tuesday networking event – Tuesday, 8 September from noon till 2pm at Sebz Cafe Tapas Restaurant, Gloucester. More here.

• Cheltenham Animal Shelter celebrates 100 years with a fundraising drinks reception, three-course dinner, black-tie ball and live music from Tux Fizz at Pittville Pump Room on Friday 11 September. More here.

• The Property Forum’s State of the Nation event at The Shirt Factory, Gloucester, on Thursday 17 September, sponsored by Willans LLP solicitors and Hazlewoods. A panel featuring city MP Alex McIntyre will discuss housing, planning, regulation, and the wider economic outlook. 9am to 11am. More here.

• The Property Forum’s Inspiring Women, The Tavern, Cheltenham, on Thursday 24 September. Sarah Bryars, vice chair and trustee of Friends of Westonbirt, will host with special guest Sophie Nash, programme manager for Forestry England. BPE Solicitors sponsors. More here.

• The team from CyNam is due to stage Gloucestershire Tech Week (GTW) from 12th to 16 October. More here.

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If Burnham wants to bring back ‘hope’ – he should look to Gloucestershire

If our new prime minister needed a real-life example of how a business and its leadership can “bring back hope” he need only look to Gloucestershire and the latest recipient of our Raikes Recognition Award.

Andrew Merrell.

Since Andy Burnham stepped into the spotlight as our new Prime Minister he has talked a lot about “bringing back hope”.

He need only look to Cinderford in the Forest of Dean to see a shining example of that being achieved and more, without it costing the Government a penny.

Our story starts rather ominously with a conversation between Peter Bell, a businessman from the Forest of Dean, his wife, Yvonne, and their daughters Natalie and Nicola over money. Rather a lot of money.

Bell’s question (and you have to admire him for having the courage just to put it!!) was “I want to spend a million and a half pounds of our money on some artificial grass for Cinderford Rugby Club’s pitch. What do you think?”

As well as president of the club for 21 years, Bell is the CEO of KW Bell Group, a business empire founded by his father, Keith, and built by the family over many years since.

Today KW Bell Group includes housebuilder Bell Homes, plant hire firm Bell Plant, groundwork and civil engineering specialist Bell Contracting, AccXel Construction School and The Belfry Hotel in Littledean.

It’s a group predicting a £100 million turnover in three years’ time. So you might imagine the family has pockets deep enough, but still.

Anyway, Yvonne, Natalie (King) and Nicola (Bird) said ‘yes’. And that decision has been transformative, not just for Cinderford Rugby Club.

For a town ranked among the most deprived 10 per cent nationally the investment was not just huge in money terms, its impact has gone way beyond.

It’s allowed a dedicated team of mainly volunteers at a club already at the heart of its community to make real their ambitions and create something powerful and sustainable.

Revenue at Cinderford Rugby Club, whose first team plays in the National Two West league, has increased by 35.9 per cent, bar sales by £42,858, membership by 28 per cent, and a pitch so often waterlogged and out of action is now an asset.

The ability to rent the playing surface has created a completely new income stream already bringing in £20,000 a year.

Nicola Bird, chief operating officer of KW Bell Group, said: “The increased income is now being reinvested into facilities, community provision and the long-term future of the club.

“This is exactly the type of project that demonstrates why investment in community infrastructure matters.

“It strengthens local organisations, creates economic activity, improves health and wellbeing, and gives young people more opportunities to participate in sport.

“Too often, examples of successful local investment like this go largely unrecognised, despite demonstrating exactly how infrastructure can drive growth, participation and community prosperity.

“We spend a lot of time talking about growth strategies, yet here is a proven example of investment delivering measurable economic, social and community returns right here in the Forest of Dean.

“The AGP (Adjusted Gross Profit) isn’t just a pitch. It’s a growth asset.”

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Facilities include floodlighting and the ability to film and live-stream games on Facebook. But it’s the wider impact that gets Bell most animated.

“It used to break my heart to go up there (to the Dockham Road ground) and know another game has been called off due to bad weather and the youngsters not being able to play again.

“It’s bad enough when the first team can’t play, but it just didn’t seem fair when there was something we could do about it. I thought ‘this has to change’,” he said.

“The club was already looking at how to do it. Our treasurer (Robert Beavis) said he thought we might be able to put in an artificial pitch for £600,000.

“But we wanted to get the very best we could and do it quickly – and that’s why I went and had a talk with my wife about paying for it,” said Bell.

One top player who has played at Premiership level has already described the pitch as “the best surface he’s seen”.

Mini and junior rugby participation has increased by more than 200 players over the same period. The community impact has been massive.

“I’m so excited it’s bringing so many more people into the club,” said Bell, who started playing for the club when he was 15, with his dad starting to sponsor it shortly after that.

“It would be great to think that in four to five years’ time some of those youngsters will be playing in our first team too.

“And for our first team players, there are fewer injuries (because of the better playing surface). Which gives them longer careers. Being streamed on Facebook gives players more exposure too.”

Children in Cinderford now know they are growing up in a community people want to invest in. And that investment is not entirely rugby-centric either.

“We have lent the club a quarter of a million to build some padel (tennis) courts too,” added Bell.

Those courts will provide not just more income for the club and better facilities for the community, but more reason to live in the Forest of Dean. And this is where the circle begins to be squares.

KW Bell Group employs an estimated 600 staff too. Most live locally. Their families are here. They know they work for a business that is committed to them inside and outside work.

Our Raikes Recognition Awards are made possible by our sponsors, including leadership development firm QuoLux, legal experts Willans LLP solicitors and Gloucestershire College. Here’s why two of those think Cinderford Rugby is a worthy recipient of our latest award.

Dr Stewart Barnes, of leadership development firm QuoLux, has known the CEO of K W Bell Group, Peter Bell, for more than 15 years and followed the fortunes of the Bell family’s group of businesses.

QuoLux itself has pioneered the concept of Good Growth, which it describes as ‘a purpose-driven business philosophy that aligns commercial success with positive social and environmental impact. It shifts the focus from simply accumulating profit to generating Good Dividends’. Not unlike what the Bell family is doing.

“I have nothing but admiration for what Peter Bell, KW Bell Group and his family has done for Cinderford and Cinderford Rugby. It is wonderful to see.

“Setting up AccXel is massive too (the construction school founded by Nicola Bird and Natalia King).

“It’s helping train some of the many new apprentices and construction workers we need in construction.

“KW Bell is a great example of a business that invests in itself to grow and invests in its industry and in its community. If we had more like that around the country what a difference it would make.

“It’s an example of what we call good growth – a growing business doing good by its community in a sustainable way.

“Peter is a superb businessperson. He should get a knighthood or OBE and recognised for the work he does for Cinderford and Cinderford Rugby. The country needs more Peter Bells.”

Simon Cook is a partner and head of wills, trusts and probate at Willans LLP solicitors in Cheltenham, and another of the sponsors that makes possible the Raikes Recognition Awards.

Cook said: “It’s inspiring to see the positive difference this project has made, both for Cinderford Rugby Club and the wider community.

“Sport plays an important role in creating opportunities for people of all ages, helping to build confidence, resilience, and a real sense of belonging.

“At Willans, we’re proud to support sporting organisations that strengthen communities across Gloucestershire, from our partnerships with Gloucester Rugby, Cheltenham Tigers and Old Patesians Rugby Club to backing local grassroots initiatives.

“It’s fantastic to see Cinderford Rugby Club thriving and creating a lasting legacy for the Forest of Dean.”

Robert Beavis, treasurer of Cinderford Rugby and one of the many volunteers who run it, got involved in the club more than two decades ago when post football career his aunt and uncle Bob and Mary encouraged him into the fold.

“As a club we were traditionally quiet during the summer, usually doing maintenance, but now we have summer camps, football tournaments and we had a (rugby) sevens tournament recently.

“As well as padel, we have been talking about doing more – like golf simulators too.

“We want to make people aware that it’s not just about rugby any more, it’s about the whole community. Cinderford Rugby Club is a cracking place to be at the moment.”

If you have a company, organisation or individual you think is worth of one of our Raikes Recognition Awards please do let us know. Email andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.

Plans for 2,135 homes in a picturesque Cotswold town have sparked serious concerns as people “woke up” to maps on social media showing a planned bypass “carved through their back gardens”.

A new blueprint for development in the Cotswolds has been put forward by the district council’s Liberal Democrat leadership.

The draft local plan aims to allocate land for 18,900 homes to be built by 2043.

Cotswold District Council leader Mike Evemy (LD, Siddington and Cerney Rural) said the plan is “absolutely vital” to stop speculative development and start building not just houses but sustainable, healthy communities.

Most of the development will take place outside the national landscape with 90 per cent of the housing being proposed in 10 strategic sites.

The news has been met by strong opposition in towns such as Moreton-in-Marsh where residents have been campaigning against overdevelopment for years. The emerging plan identifies around 2,135 extra homes for the market town which currently has a population of  around 5,000.

Conservative Councillor Daryl Corps, who represents Moreton West at the district council, said: “Development on that scale would fundamentally alter the size and character of the town,” he said.

“Of particular concern is the proposed multi-modal spine road. The indicative route appears to run from the A429, across the railway and River Evenlode, towards development east of Moreton.

“This is not a modest new road. With a railway and a river to cross, bridges need to be built, drainage and substantial engineering needs to be put in place, it could be a project costing hundreds of millions of pounds.”

He said residents are asking whether the road would actually alleviate any of the town’s existing congestion, simply feed and enable the thousands of new homes being proposed.

“Even more troubling is the way some residents have told me that they woke up to maps circulating on social media showing what amounts to a bypass carved through their back gardens, in some cases almost up to their back doors, without any prior consultation,” he said.

“That is no way to treat residents whose homes could be profoundly affected.

“There is also zero new employment land allocation to accompany the thousands of new homes. Instead, the Cotswold Business centre risks being penned in by housing, with little or no room to expand.

“That is not balanced growth. It risks turning Moreton into an even larger commuter settlement and putting still more traffic onto already pressured roads.”

North Cotswolds MP Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown said achieving the Government-imposed housing target of 18,900 will be difficult. And he believes district leaders could be doing more to oppose the number of houses.

“They are welcoming them with open arms, it seems to me, from their press statement,” he said.

“I don’t think these will be welcomed with open arms by the people of the Cotswolds, particularly those areas such as Moreton.”

He also said if the housing is planned for those areas the district council must ensure infrastructure is built before the new homes.

And that the right mix is needed with more affordable housing as well as one bed and two bed properties to allow people to get on the housing ladder or for elderly people to downsize.

“We need to get the proper infrastructure and that number of houses in Moreton should mean we are due for a new secondary school,” he said.

The Lib Dem leadership at the district council has previously opposed the housing target and branded it “moronic”.

“The council has been clear about the scale of the challenge created by the huge increase in nationally calculated housing need,” Councillor Evemy said last week.

“But failing to progress a new local plan does not remove the pressure for development. Instead, it simply leaves our communities more exposed to speculative proposals and the council with the risk of costly appeals.

“It would leave us with less influence over where growth takes place, the quality of developments, and the infrastructure delivered alongside them.

“These are difficult choices, but avoiding them would not protect the Cotswolds.

“This is a plan we can stand behind. It is rigorous, it is considered, and it offers the best route to take control of our district’s future.

The proposed local plan will be considered by the overview and scrutiny committee on August 3, and then by the cabinet on August 6 before full council has its say on August 12, 2026.

Subject to approval, another six-week consultation will run from August 24 to October 5.

The council will then consider the representations received and may recommend additional modifications for the inspector to consider.

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

The Longfield’s decision to close its Winchcombe store just over two years after opening it will surprise some, but it’s part of a growing number of charity shop closures in recent times.

The British Heart Foundation and Cancer Research UK, have been closing stores en mass UK-wide, blaming a change in shopping habits and rising costs including business rates and staff-related costs, not to mention the cost of living crisis facing consumers.

Longfield, which provides specialist hospice care and support for adults with life-limiting illnesses across Gloucestershire, said the decision was made following careful consideration as the charity responds to an increasingly challenging financial climate affecting charities and retailers alike.

A spokesperson told Raikes: “We entered a period of review last year against mounting financial challenges ranging from NI increases, a challenging financial climate which is evidently being felt not just in our sector but globally.

“An opportunity arose to review this shop presented by the lease break option.”

Both high street shops - the charity has another 20 of them - and online selling will “have roles to play in the wider income generation strategy for Longfield”. 

Debbie Linton, head of retail for Longfield, said: “The shop is no longer financially viable, and continuing to operate it would place further pressure on Longfield’s resources.

“This has not been an easy decision, but it has been made with the long-term sustainability of Longfield in mind, and in light of the opportunity presented by the lease break option.

“We want to be very clear that this decision in no way reflects the tireless effort, commitment and dedication of our Winchcombe shop team.

“Our employees and volunteers have worked incredibly hard to support the shop and make it a welcoming and valued part of the community, and we are deeply grateful for everything they have contributed.”

Longfield is in consultation with its shop staff and exploring alternative opportunities for the charity’s valued volunteers.

Supporters wishing to continue helping Longfield are encouraged to visit one of the charity’s other shops to donate quality items, volunteer, or support the hospice through fundraising or donations.

The Winchcombe shop will remain open until 1st September.

Welcome to Friday’s edition of The Raikes Journal.

Imagine being able to say ‘yes’ to investment into your county, something associated with future industries, with cutting edge technology, something that would excite young and old alike, have the potential to be world-leading and draw in more of the same – like a research and development centre for electric racing cars, the future of motor sport.

Imagine that, in a rural location like little old Gloucestershire, where engineering is already embedded but hope and aspiration are like everywhere else at the moment – in short supply!

Most of the UK’s current 32 dedicated automotive R&D centres are in Oxfordshire and the West Midland. None are in Gloucestershire.

Or you could just turn it down. Which is what Gloucestershire has done. The argument for the decision might sound rather counterintuitive, when it’s down in black and white, but you can read it below and make your own mind up.

We contacted McMurtry Automotive for its response, in particular to ask it if it will have another run at the planning process or take its investment elsewhere. It does rather look like it might be the latter.

What that will mean for the future of the firm here in the county, where it also has its headquarters, was our second question to the Wotton-under-Edge-based business.

Moving on, as we enter the holiday period and all seems to go quiet, it felt like a good time to look ahead so you can put some dates in the diary so you can stay in touch with what’s afoot. So we’ve done that below too.

Of note among those events for the many property investors, landlords and agents is a seminar up ahead by Willans LLP whose team of experts will explain the Renters’ Rights Act 2025, something that’s still causing considerable doubt and probably many headaches.

Have a great weekend.

Best regards,

Andrew Merrell

Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk

Your briefing notes…

🏉🎉 Recruitment specialist i2i Recruitment and Gloucester Rugby have announced a new multi-year partnership. Cheltenham-based i2i Recruitment has become the Gallagher PREM club’s official recruitment partner, and will support its recruitment needs across permanent and casual positions at Kingsholm. It will also see i2i Recruitment’s branding around the stadium and become player sponsor of Gloucester Rugby and England U20 lock, Freddie Ogden-Metherell. Freddie also happens to the the son of the founders of i2i, Charlie and Richard Ogden-Metherell! More here.

🏗️ Gloucestershire College has confirmed it has secured the £4.5m it needs to build a new vocational training centre from Government. The college, which has campuses in the Forest of Dean, Cheltenham and Gloucester, has been working on designs for the new facility with city architects Roberts Limbrick. It is understood it will now go out to tender for a construction firm to carry out the work and hopes to welcome its first students in September 2027. You can read our original story here.

👨🏼‍💼👨🏼‍💼 Former family-owned plumbing business Hewer has appointed two new senior team members. Stuart Hesk is the Gloucester-based firm’s new managing director, and Ian Haughton is its commercial director. Hewer (Hewer FM as it was called) was founded in 1965 and was subject to a management buyout in 20024. Today it employs more than 160 staff.

Dates for your diary…

As we move into the holiday period and it feels like the What’s On calendar goes a little blank, here are some key dates for your diary stretching into October, starting with a short feature on a special event for property investors and landlords in September…

Landlords struggling with renters Rights Act to get a helping hand

Four months on from its introduction the Renters’ Rights Act clarity is still being sought by landlords, investors, property owners, and developers. A special seminar plans to deliver just that.

When it was introduced in May this year it was hailed as a triumph for tenants’ rights, but many private landlords are still battling to digest the Renters’ Rights Act.

Wider feedback says landlords are struggling with significant concerns over falling margins, rising costs, a lack of governmental support and other issues.

Experts from law firm Willans LLP will aim to address concerns of landlords, investors, developers and agents with a free in-person seminar in September.

“Many landlords and letting agents expected the biggest challenge to be understanding the Renters’ Rights Act before it came into force.

“However, the real test has been applying the new rules in day-to-day situations,” said Katie Charlton, from Willans’ litigation and dispute resolution team.

“Now that the legislation has been in place for several months, we are helping clients navigate the practical issues that have inevitably arisen as the reforms are put into practice.”.

Bethen Abraham, a solicitor in Willans LLP’s litigation and dispute resolution team, will also be delivering the seminar.

“Our seminar is designed to give landlords, letting agents and other property professionals the practical guidance they need to remain compliant, as well as the opportunity to ask questions, share experiences and discuss any challenges they may be facing,” said Abraham.

The Government called the Renters’ Rights Act “the biggest increase to private tenant protections in decades”. Homeless charity Crisis agreed, saying it gave renters “more security and a fairer deal”.

But almost immediately the National Residential Landlords Association (NRLA) was calling for that clearer guidance and preparation.

The seminar is due to take place on 8 September from 4pm to 6pm at DoubleTree by Hilton Cheltenham-Cotswolds, Cirencester Road, Cheltenham GL53 8EA. More here.

More future events…

• The Cotswolds Huddle is scheduled for Tuesday, 4 August 2026 at 11:30 am. The event will be held at Vinotopia on the Nailsworth Mills Estate, Avening Road, and is described as ‘a free, casual networking event for businesses’. No booking or tickets are required.

• Cheltenham BID, Gloucestershire County Council and Cheltenham Borough Council’s ‘public realm update and engagement event’ at Hub8 MX on Tuesday 11 August from 5pm to 7pm. Hear from the decision-makers, ask questions and help shape the vision for Cheltenham town centre. More here.

• WSP Solicitors will stage another of its popular Tapas Tuesday networking events on Tuesday, 8 September from noon till 2pm at Sebz Cafe Tapas Restaurant, Gloucester. More here.

• Cheltenham Animal Shelter celebrates 100 years with a fundraising drinks reception, three-course dinner, black-tie ball and live music from Tux Fizz at Pittville Pump Room on Friday 11 September. More here.

• The Property Forum’s State of the Nation event at The Shirt Factory, Gloucester, on Thursday 17 September, sponsored by Willans LLP solicitors and Hazlewoods. A panel featuring city MP Alex McIntyre will discuss housing, planning, regulation, financial implications and the wider economic outlook. From 9am to 11am. More here.

• The Property Forum is at it again with its Inspiring Women event at The Tavern, Cheltenham, on Thursday 24 September. Sarah Bryars, vice chair and trustee of Friends of Westonbirt and PR/Comms Strategist, will host with special guest Sophie Nash, programme manager for Forestry England. BPE Solicitors sponsors. More here.

• The team from CyNam is due to stage Gloucestershire Tech Week (GTW) from 12th to 16 October. More here.

  ---

British electric race car research centre planned for Gloucestershire. Or it was...

Could one of the UK’s most exciting car marques, founded by a Gloucestershire billionaire, be about to take its business and investment elsewhere after the county refused permission to build here?

Carmelo Garcia and Andrew Merrell.

Sir David McMurtry (pictured below), the multi-millionaire genius engineer and co-founder of engineering giant Renishaw, spent the last few years of his life helping develop one of the most exciting racing cars on modern times.

McMurtry Automotive Ltd’s McMurtry Spéirling electric supercar – if you are familiar with the Batman movies, think Batmobile – which pushed the boundaries, set records and turned heads. And it was built here in Gloucestershire.

It’s since also produced a production car version for sale to anyone who can afford £995,000.

Sir David died in 2024, but off the back of the success with its car the team at McMurtry Automotive was already at work on its next project, to create a UK research and development centre for electric race cars.

And the plan was to build that centre here in Gloucestershire near its existing offices and the headquarters of Renishaw, a business Sir David co-founded in 1973, which made him his fortune and which employs 5,000 staff, 3,000 in the UK, with many of those in Gloucestershire.

Or at least McMurtry Automotive was planning to invest here, until its proposals went before the planning committee at Stroud District Council.

Read more

i2i Recruitment has become Gloucester Rugby’s Official Recruitment Partner, supporting the Club’s recruitment needs across permanent and casual positions at Kingsholm.

The partnership will also see i2i Recruitment gain branding presence around the stadium and become player sponsor of Gloucester Rugby and England U20 lock, Freddie Ogden-Metherell.

For i2i Recruitment, the partnership represents more than a commercial relationship. As a certified B Corp and one of Gloucestershire’s leading independent recruitment agencies, the business is committed to creating opportunities for local people and supporting organisations across the region to attract and retain talented individuals.

Alongside helping employers recruit successfully, i2i Recruitment actively works with schools, colleges and universities across Gloucestershire to support young people as they explore future career pathways.

The company regularly engages with organisations including Dean Close School, Cheltenham Bournside School, Balcarras School, Hartpury University and College, and the University of Gloucestershire.

A particularly personal connection also sits at the heart of the partnership.

Freddie Ogden-Metherell, son of i2i Recruitment founders Richard and Charlie Ogden-Metherell, progressed through the Gloucester Rugby Academy before recently representing England at the World Rugby U20 Championship.

His journey reflects many of the values shared by both organisations, including dedication, teamwork, development and achieving success through hard work.

Richard Ogden-Metherell, Chief Executive Officer at i2i Recruitment, said: “We are delighted for i2i Recruitment to become Gloucester Rugby’s Official Recruitment Partner.

As two organisations with deep roots in Gloucestershire, this partnership represents more than a commercial relationship. It is about bringing together two trusted brands that share a commitment to developing talent, supporting local businesses and making a positive impact within our community.

“At i2i Recruitment, people are at the heart of everything we do. Whether we are helping businesses find exceptional talent or supporting individuals in taking the next step in their careers, our focus has always been on creating opportunities and building long-term relationships.

“Gloucester Rugby embodies many of those same values, from nurturing future stars through its academy system to engaging and inspiring communities across the county.

“This partnership is particularly meaningful for our family. Watching Freddie progress through the Gloucester Rugby Academy and recently represent England at Under-20 level has given us a first-hand appreciation of the dedication, support and opportunities that Gloucester Rugby provides to young people.

“To now see i2i Recruitment partnering with a club that has played such an important role in Freddie’s development makes this an incredibly proud moment for both our family and our business.

“We are excited about what we can achieve together and look forward to supporting the growth, success and future aspirations of the Gloucestershire community for many years to come.”

Elizabeth Davis, head of HR at Gloucester Rugby, added: “We’re delighted to welcome i2i Recruitment as our Official Recruitment Partner. Their strong reputation across Gloucestershire and shared focus on people make them an excellent fit for the Club.

“We look forward to working together to attract great talent and support the continued growth of Gloucester Rugby.”

The partnership further strengthens i2i Recruitment’s commitment to supporting opportunity, skills development and economic growth throughout Gloucestershire, while helping one of the county’s most recognised sporting organisations continue to attract talented individuals on and off the field.

This press release was sent to The Raikes Journal by i2i Recruitment on 27 July 2026.

* If you want to see your releases featured here, and included on our email editions, email the editor.

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Welcome to Monday’s edition of The Raikes Journal.

We temporarily shelved a profile piece we had ready for today on an exciting, fast-growing county IT firm when we picked up the news that is our lead story below.

It’s easy to take Cheltenham Festival for granted. Every year the near week-long jump racing event in March brings thousands to the county to enjoy themselves.

The event is worth an estimated £270 million-plus to the county’s businesses, so how well the Jockey Club Racecourses does has a significant bearing on the county economically and how it’s perceived from outside too.

But horseracing in under pressure from all sides, and the business that owns the county racecourse and the festival had to cancel 13 of its events in the year covered by its latest financial statement – mainly due to bad weather. Rising costs were also a major issue.

So despite the handicaps how did it do? We take a look.

The edition also includes the usual charity of the week feature – a significant grant and partnerships at work – news of significant recognition for the expertise of the legal teams at one of our key partners, Willans, some dairy dates as well as some briefing notes.

The latter features a story about plans for where thousands of homes should be built in the Cotswolds, which county pubs are among the UK’s very best, an incredible year for engineering giant Renishaw and the financial momentum behind expanding family car dealership Warners.

Have a great week.

Best regards,

Andrew Merrell

Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk

Charities of the Week…

A major three-year initiative to tackle rising loneliness and social isolation in Stonehouse, Cinderford, Mitcheldean, Cam and Dursley is being launched thanks to a £900,000 investment from The Summerfield Charitable Trust. Building Connections: People, Place & Partnership will be delivered by three Gloucestershire-based charities – Forest Voluntary Action Forum, GL11 Community Hub and All Pulling Together. The initiative is designed around the idea that people need places, and places need people. By investing in both, the programme will help residents feel more connected, confident and able to shape what happens in their own neighbourhoods. These five towns and villages have been chosen because they show some of the highest combined risk factors for loneliness and isolation in Gloucestershire, and because of their potential. Read more here.

Briefing notes…

🍻 Nine Gloucestershire pubs have been named among the very best 500 in the UK by The Telegraph news newspaper. The pubs were among those picked from the UK’s 42,700 pubs. Those that made the list include The Pelican Inn, Gloucester, The Old Spot Inn, Dursley, The Horseshoe, Chipping Sodbury, The Salutation, Ham, The Jolly Brewmaster, Cheltenham, The Queens Head, Stow-on-the-Wold, The Prince Albert, Stroud, The Queens Head, Stow-on-the-Wold, The Farmers Arms, Lower Apperley and The Drillmans Arms, Cirencester.

🏘️🏘️🏘️ Revealed: Where 18,900 homes could be built in the Cotswolds: A new blueprint for almost 19,000 homes suggests major expansions to Cotswold towns and the creation of large villages over the next 20 years. Cotswold District Council’s new local plan, which will set out a long-term vision for the district, is being considered by councillors next month. It proposes the creation of 10 strategic sites which include 3,717 homes in and around Cirencester, 2,217 homes in Moreton-in-Marsh and 1,658 homes in Down Ampney.

📈 A final quarter trading update by Gloucestershire engineering giant Renishaw saw an 8.1 per cent surge in its share value. The Wotton-under-Edge-based business said revenue had reached £243 million for the quarter, a rise of 27 per cent on the same period the year before. All of which means profits for the year gone are likely to come in at higher than forecast, with overall growth hitting a new record. General revenue also rise by 18 per cent on the same period last year. Full year trading is expected to be in the region of £815m, a 14 per cent rise, with adjusted pre-tax profits up 31 per cent to £167m.

🚗🚗🚗 Car dealership Warners of Gloucester, which opened a new showroom in Cheltenham this month for its Chery franchise, has revealed it did so off the back of turnover rising to £29.8 million. Guy Warner, ceo of the family business, said “sales of Jaecoo and Omoda vehicles exceeded expectations” for the year ending 30 September 2025 “whilst the service and parts operations continued to perform robustly”. He said the refit of the Tewkesbury dealership to the new Citroën corporate identity was expected to provide a solid platform for the brand moving forward and the new Chery franchise was “an exciting opportunity”. Profit for the financial year after tax was down from £206,365 to £79,120.

Lawyers recognised as leading advisors to high net worth individuals

If you want to know who the best lawyers are for almost any specialism you can reach for independent guides like the one published by Chambers. It’s latest Chambers High Net Worth guide reveals three of the partners at one of the key sponsors that make The Raikes Journal possible, Willans LLP solicitors, have been listed for their expertise. Simon Cook and Paul Gordon, each singled out for a number of years as leaders in their individual specialisms, have been joined by Clare Cox. Cook heads up the wills, trusts and probate team at the Cheltenham-headquartered law firm. That team is also listed by the guide. Partners Rachel Sugden, Tom O’Riordan and Laura Stone are also singled out as ‘highly regarded’. Cox is a partner in the inheritance and trusts disputes team and Gordon a partner and head of litigation and dispute resolution. More here.

Diary dates…

Tuesday:

• The Growth Hub in Cirencester is due to stage ‘How to pitch your charity or social enterprise for investment’ from 10.30am to 12.30pm. More here.

Wednesday:

• Business networking group BNI Five Valleys is due to stage its latest event at The Old Lodge, Stroud, from 7am. More here.

• BNI Cornerstone (Cirencester) is due to stage its latest event at Roots & Seeds, Cirencester, from 9.45 am to 11.15am. More here.

Thursday:

• BNI Compass is due to stage one of its networking events at Patch at The Forum in Gloucester on Thursday, 30 July. 10am start. £10 cost. More here.

Friday:

• Gloucester Business Improvement District is due to stage its Connections over Coffee networking event at Gloucester Food Dock from 10am to 11.30am. More here.

• Talk Property Cheltenham, billed as ‘the property community around one table’. From 10am to 11.30am. More here.

The Raikes Journal is a community interest company. Everything you read is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

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Cheltenham Racecourse owner triumphs despite handicaps

With attendance at Cheltenham Festival down and 13 races abandoned, was heavy last year for Jockey Club Racecourses, British horse racing’s largest commercial body. But did it win financially?

By Andrew Merrell.

With attendance at Cheltenham Festival down and 13 racing fixtures abandoned across its courses nationwide the going was heavy during its last financial year for Jockey Club Racecourses, British horse racing’s largest commercial body.

Handicaps came not just from the weather impacting events, but from managing the UK’s self-inflicted challenges to its commercial engine – the increases in the National Living Wage and national insurance contributions.

Wages and salaries rose from £23.7m to £26m for the Jockey Club - and that’s just the permanent staff, not the army of temporary recruits it brings in for the likes of the Cheltenham Festival week in March that draws the eyes of the sporting world to the spa town.

That one four-day period of racing alone is estimated to be worth more than £274 million to the county’s economy – much of that across its pubs, clubs, restaurants and hotels – with the average spend by those attending nearly £600.

Costs overall increased by 3.1 per cent, from £140.4m to £145.7m. Among them increases in prize money to ensure the very best competed at its events.

And those rises cut into operating profit, down from £18.8m (2025) to £5m (2024) – the £18.8m being a rise on 2023’s £7.6m.

Nevertheless, despite the obstacles Jockey Club Racecourses crossed the line for its financial year ending 31 December 2025 with plenty to cheer about.

There are consistent references to ‘further growth’ in its annual report, just filed at Companies House.

“Aggregate attendance across the racecourses increased from 1,449,000 to 1,474,000, with paid attendance rising by 1.3 per cent despite 10 fewer fixtures being staged during the year, demonstrating the continued appeal of the company’s racing programme,” said Jim Mullen, chief executive of The Jockey Club Racecourses.

“Performance at the company’s major events remained encouraging, with strong attendance growth at the Aintree Grand National Festival (up 4 per cent), the July Festival (up six per cent), the Guineas (up 13 per cent) and the Christmas Meeting (up 18 per cent).

“Attendance at the Cheltenham Festival declined by three per cent, however investments into the race day experience at the 2025 Festival provided racegoers with an enhanced offering, laying the foundations for future growth.

“The company achieved strong demand across many of our major events and continued growth in media rights income.

“Reflecting this performance, the company’s turnover increased by 1.9 per cent to £236.7m (2024: restated £232.4m).

“Growth was driven primarily by higher media rights income, increasing from £62.0m to £63.6m (2.6 per cent uplift), reflecting pricing growth in revenues derived from online betting activity, supported by growth in sponsorship and non-racing income streams.”

And there was a particular focus on Cheltenham’s place in its current and future success.

It added: “The company has made encouraging progress in growing attendances and maintaining the appeal of its major events, and robust plans remain in place to build on this momentum.

“Investment in customer experience, particularly at Cheltenham, reflects the strategic importance we place on long-term growth in general admissions and on maintaining the quality of the racegoer experience across the company’s racecourses.

“A major milestone following the year-end was the announcement of a new exclusive twenty-year partnership with Levy, the sports and entertainment division of Compass Group UK & Ireland.

“This partnership creates a significant long-term investment opportunity for Jockey Club Racecourse Limited and will help transform the spectator experience across our racecourses.”

The business owns 15 racecourses in all, including Aintree, home of The Randox Grand National Festival, Epsom Downs, (The Betfred Derby Festival) and Newmarket (The Guineas Festival).

“The rebranding of Jockey Club Catering to Jockey Club Experiences reflects an expanded scope that now includes hospitality package sales and delivery, conferencing and events, and retail merchandising, alongside food and beverage operations.

“This partnership is an important part of our strategy to enhance the customer proposition and support long-term sustainable growth,” said Mullen.

A new blueprint for almost 19,000 homes suggests major expansions to Cotswold towns and the creation of large villages over the next 20 years.

Cotswold District Council’s new local plan, which will set out a long-term vision for the district, is being considered by councillors next month.

It proposes the creation of 10 strategic sites which include 3,717 homes in and around Cirencester, 2,217 homes in Moreton-in-Marsh and 1,658 homes in Down Ampney.

Civic chiefs say the plan is “absolutely vital” to curb speculative development. And it will provide for healthy, sustainable communities, with growth carefully planned to create lasting benefits for current and future generations.

The plan is underpinned by more than 40 studies and assessments and sets out where around 18,900 new homes could be delivered in the district by 2043.

The council aims are proposing a “stepped trajectory” to achieve this by which they increase their annual housing need over time.

They propose 420 homes to be built per year over the first five years. This would rise to 1,064 homes per year from 2031 to 2036 with 1,550 homes being built every 12 months during the final five years of the plan.

Planners say this is helpful, because the majority of the planned housing will come forward on large strategic sites which take longer to get up and running.

The local plan suggests 90 per cent of the housing target will be provided by the strategic sites.

And residents will get to have their say during a six-week consultation from August 24 to October 5, 2026, if approved by councillors.

The council says the local plan provides a framework based on local evidence to manage growth in a coordinated way, ensuring homes, jobs, transport, community facilities and environmental priorities are considered together, according to the council.

And it plans development in the most sustainable locations, protects valued landscapes, and sets ambitious standards for communities.

At the same time, they say it carefully balances the need for new development with the protection of the landscapes, heritage and distinctive character of the Cotswolds,.

Much of that development is proposed on ten strategic sites, allowing homes, employment, transport and community infrastructure to be planned comprehensively and sustainably.

Work on the plan follows significant changes by the Government to the way housing need is calculated, as part of a drive to build 1.5million homes across the UK between 2024 and 2029.

This new method was introduced almost two years ago and more than doubled the district’s housing target, – meaning the council can no longer demonstrate that it has a five-year supply of land for housing.

This has left communities more vulnerable to speculative, piecemeal development.

Council leader Mike Evemy (LD) said the plan was “absolutely vital” to stop speculative development and start building not just houses but sustainable, healthy communities.

“The council has been clear about the scale of the challenge created by the huge increase in nationally calculated housing need,” he said.

“But failing to progress a new local plan does not remove the pressure for development. Instead, it simply leaves our communities more exposed to speculative proposals and the council with the risk of costly appeals.

“It would leave us with less influence over where growth takes place, the quality of developments, and the infrastructure delivered alongside them.

“These are difficult choices, but avoiding them would not protect the Cotswolds.

“This is a plan we can stand behind. It is rigorous, it is considered, and it offers the best route to take control of our district’s future.

“It will deliver the affordable homes, jobs and services our communities need.

“It will protect the landscapes, heritage and character that make the Cotswolds such a special place to live and visit. And it will ensure we play a bigger role in tackling the climate crisis, while lowering energy bills through efficient new homes.”

What the plan would deliver

The proposed local plan includes:

Around 95 per cent of proposed development outside the Cotswolds National Landscape, with development within it restricted to smaller, less sensitive sites

Around 90 per cent of proposed development on strategic allocations, maximising opportunities to secure significant, coordinated infrastructure investment

Policies supporting the delivery of around 5,600 affordable homes over the plan period, including a 40 per cent affordable-housing target on qualifying sites

A greater proportion of smaller two and three-bedroom homes that better meet the needs of local peop

New and expanded education provision, including proposed new secondary schools at Moreton-in-Marsh and south of Preston, alongside transport improvements, health and community facilities, local centres, public open space and green infrastructur

New employment opportunities and land to support local businesses and economic growth, and

Ambitious climate policies covering net-zero-carbon new buildings, renewable energy, the decarbonisation of existing buildings and low-carbon heat networks.

Strategic sites

The plan concentrates growth in the district’s most sustainable locations, where services, jobs and transport links allow infrastructure and community facilities to be planned comprehensively.

Ten proposed strategic allocations would deliver 11,302 homes within the plan period at

Moreton-in-Marsh: 2,217 homes

Down Ampney: 1,658 homes

Preston: 1,368 homes

Mickleton: 1,238 homes

Fairford: 1,141 homes

New settlement south of Driffield: 1,090 homes (with the potential for more development in the longer term beyond 2043

Kemble: 1,020 homes

Cirencester: 613 east of Kingshill Lane (two allocations)

Cirencester: 585 homes south of The Steadings (with the potential for more development in the longer term beyond 2043)

Siddington: 372 homes

Backed by evidence

The plan is supported by a comprehensive suite of technical evidence and expert advice, covering matters including housing need, site suitability, transport, flood risk, landscape, heritage, ecology, viability and infrastructure.

Sustainability and climate change are embedded throughout, ensuring future growth is planned in a way that supports both communities and the environment and is ‘green to the core’.

The proposed plan also responds to concerns raised during the regulation 18 consultation in autumn 2025, including the protection of landscapes and heritage, support for the local economy, the need for affordable and smaller homes, health and community facilities, transport and infrastructure.

Next steps

The proposed plan will be considered by the overview and scrutiny committee on August 3, cabinet on August 6 and full council on August 12, 2026.

Subject to approval, a six-week regulation 19 consultation will run from August 24 to October 5.

The council will consider the representations received and may recommend additional modifications for the inspector to consider.

The plan and all consultation responses are expected to be submitted to the Secretary of State in December 2026 for independent examination by a planning inspector during 2027.

Adoption of the Plan is currently expected around March 2028.

The council says submitting the plan before the end of December 2026 is important because plans not submitted by that deadline will need to follow the Government’s new plan-making system, potentially delaying the adoption of an up-to-date plan by several years.

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

Pleas have been made to Prime Minister Andy Burnham to provide the vital funding needed for a major upgrade of an M5 junction in Gloucestershire.

Highways chiefs have been working on a project to provide a new junction 9a to the south of Tewkesbury and re-reroute a section of the A46 between the M5 and the Teddington Hands roundabout.

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) sees the “traffic busting” scheme as vital in solving the long standing issues by providing vital infrastructure to meet existing and future needs in the area.

The project was previously estimated in 2024 to cost between £740m and £930m and will also help with the creation of up to 25,000 homes at Tewkesbury Garden Communities and provide at least 100 hectares of employment land.

Liberal Democrat councillor Julian Tooke (Pittville and St Paul’s), who is responsible for planning and infrastructure at Shire Hall, made a direct plea to the country’s new Labour prime minister during a cabinet meeting this week.

“Our new Prime Minister has been very clear that he believes local communities should say what they want and be listened to,” he said.

“GCC, Tewkesbury Borough Council, Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucester City Council have been very clear that they want Junction 9a and they want the Ashchurch bypass.

“So Andy Burnham, please listen, please do.

“You’ve also been very clear, Mr Burnham, that you want housing and you want infrastructure.

“Well, we believe passionately that housing and infrastructure should go together.

“We also know that words are cheap. But unfortunately, infrastructure isn’t, so we need funding for this.

“I feel so passionately about this. I really want a decision to be made as soon as possible so that we know where we are.

“Please stop keeping us hanging on. It’s not fair.”

Cllr Tooke said the investment is needed because it unlocks land for housing and new employment sites which would focus on advanced manufacturing and defence.

He also said it will strengthen a nationally important route which links the Midlands with the South West and “residents have been saying for ages ‘we want a bypass’.

“It’s about quality of life,” he said.

He went on to say now Reform councillor Vernon Smith’s previous Conservative administration spent £15m on the scheme.

“Since I got involved, I’ve said hang on a minute, we are spending a lot of money, can we be careful about how we spend money,” he said.

“And actually slow down if necessary.”

He said he asked officers to revise their recommendation to sign off another £2m. And instead they will cap spending on works for the project at £534,000 until the end of September when they should get a decision from the Government.

“We weren’t comfortable with that because this Government keeps us hanging on,” he said.

“We don’t want to spend more money unnecessarily. However, we cannot let this project grind to a halt.

“Hopefully we will get approval from the Government.

“If we haven’t got the approval from the Government, again, we will have to go back and seek approval and discuss it.”

Cllr Tooke said the funding is coming from the community infrastructure levy and thanked the councils in Tewkesbury, Cheltenham and Gloucester for their support.

Reform UK group leader Vernon Smith (Tewkesbury West) said officers and councillors spent years of hard work getting the Junction 9 scheme to this point.

“Since May 2025 the Liberal Democrats have given us nothing but dither and delay.

“Residents in Tewkesbury and Ashchurch need this project to relieve congestion, and they deserve an administration that can be trusted to deliver it.”

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

A major three-year initiative to tackle rising loneliness and social isolation in Stonehouse, Cinderford, Mitcheldean, Cam and Dursley will be launched following a £900,000 investment from The Summerfield Charitable Trust.

Building Connections: People, Place & Partnership will be delivered by three Gloucestershire-based charities - Forest Voluntary Action Forum, GL11 Community Hub and All Pulling Together.

The initiative is designed around a simple but fundamentally important concept: that people need places, and places need people. By investing in both, the programme will help residents feel more connected, confident and able to shape what happens in their own neighbourhoods.

These five towns and villages have been chosen because they show some of the highest combined risk factors for loneliness and isolation in Gloucestershire, but also because of their potential.

The initiative will seek to ensure that every resident has somewhere to go, people to meet, and a reason to participate, reducing loneliness, strengthening and sustaining capacity for connection.

The initiative responds to challenges experienced across rural and semi-rural communities, where social isolation, limited transport and uneven access to activities and support can make it harder for people to participate in community life.

At the same time, each area has active residents, trusted local organisations and community spaces with the potential to do more when they have the right people, resources and relationships around them.

Building Connections has been shaped with communities rather than designed for them. It will build on existing strengths and create the time and capacity to listen, test ideas and respond at the pace of everyday life.

Its delivery model recognises that a welcoming building alone does not create a connected community; trusted people are also needed to reach out, open doors and help residents turn ideas into action.

David Owen, chair of trustees at The Summerfield Charitable Trust, said: “The Summerfield Trust is proud to make this landmark investment in Building Connections. The evidence is clear: people need places, and places need people. This programme brings both sides together in a genuinely transformative way.

“By supporting a community‑owned ecosystem across Cinderford, Mitcheldean, Stonehouse, Cam and Dursley, we are backing the residents, volunteers and organisations who hold their communities together. Their insight, their energy and their determination have shaped this proposal from the ground up.

“Our nearly £1 million commitment reflects our belief that every person deserves somewhere to go, people to meet, and a reason to participate. This is a long‑term, place‑based investment in the things that make life meaningful - connection, belonging and shared purpose.

“We are delighted to stand alongside FVAF, GL11 and APT as they help local people create the welcoming, resilient and inclusive communities they have told us they want and deserve.”

A community partnership facilitator will support work in the Forest of Dean, alongside Community Buddies in Cam and Dursley and Stonehouse and locally based partnership builders.

These roles will work at neighbourhood level: connecting residents with community spaces, offering one-to-one encouragement or personalised invitations, supporting volunteers and local leaders, and helping groups develop activities that reflect what matters locally.

Community Chests will place practical resources directly within the participating areas.

Over four years, £60,000 will be shared across Cam and Dursley and Stonehouse, while Cinderford and Mitcheldean will each benefit from £125,000.

Residents, groups and local organisations will be able to use this funding to test and grow neighbourhood activities through micro-grants and small-scale events, ensuring that local ideas can move from conversation to action.

The three partners will also learn together, sharing insight and measuring what changes for residents, volunteers, community buildings and the wider local system. This joined-up approach is intended to reduce duplication, strengthen local capacity and help successful ideas endure beyond the four-year investment.

Matt Lennard, chief executive of Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance, said: “Building Connections is a great example of what can be achieved when funders, charities and communities work together around a shared vision.

“This investment recognises that lasting change comes from trusting local people, strengthening local partnerships and building on the assets that already exist within our communities.

“We’re proud to support this collaboration and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have across Gloucestershire.”

Building Connections is expected to benefit residents who are isolated or less likely to take part in community life, as well as volunteers, local leaders, community organisations and the buildings that bring people together.

“Its focus is not simply on increasing activity, but on strengthening belonging, confidence, relationships and the ability of local people to contribute to their communities.

Chris Brown, chief executive officer of Forest Voluntary Action Forum, said: “We are incredibly grateful to Summerfield Charitable Trust for investing in Building Connections.

“This funding will help communities across Cinderford and Mitcheldean to create more sustainable and welcoming spaces, strengthen local partnerships, and give more people opportunities to connect, contribute and belong.

“We passionately believe that power, decision-making and resources should sit as close as possible to residents and grassroots organisations, and this investment marks another important step towards building stronger, fairer and more empowered communities.”

By the end of the programme, the partnership aims to leave stronger neighbourhood networks, better-used and more sustainable community spaces, more confident volunteers and local leaders, and established ways for residents to influence local activity and investment.

Learning from the four communities will also help partners understand what enables connection to grow across other rural and semi-rural parts of Gloucestershire.

Jacky Edwards, chair of All Pulling Together CIC, said: “All Pulling Together are delighted to be part of the Building Connections project and are very grateful to the Summerfield Charitable Trust for making the investment possible.

“At APT we believe strong communities can be built when our local people have the confidence, skills and opportunities to shape what they need, where they live. We are excited to work alongside our residents and local organisations to strengthen our community.”

The investment forms part of The Summerfield Charitable Trust’s Connected Society theme and reflects its unique approach to strategic, community-led funding, as it spends out its funds.

Working with Gloucestershire VCSE Alliance, the Trust is supporting co-produced proposals that shift power closer to communities, invest in trusted local relationships and create lasting social change.

This press release was sent to The Raikes Journal by Prestbury Marketing in July 2026.

* If you want to see your releases featured here, and included on our email editions, email the editor.

The Raikes Journal is a digital magazine and community interest company whose supporters believe, like us, that journalism about Gloucestershire is worth keeping alive. Everything you read on The Raikes Journal is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors and our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

If you upgrade to paid you will be able to see past the paywalls on our second and third email editions of the week, that lock all our archive after two weeks and lock our rolling Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire, the series that follows the financial fortunes of our biggest firms by turnover. You will be able to comment on our stories too. You’ll be helping make this CIC sustainable. Please do join us.

You can do that for just £2.30 a week - or £1.80 a week if two or more people sign up at once.

I hope you’ve had a good week. Is it me, or does the change in the political climate into uncertainty, feel exciting? Or is that just hope?

Positive action came in the news that pubs are to get a business rate cut, one of the immediate wins dished out by our new prime minister. We cover some of that below.

But we go biggest on a story from the recent Driving Gloucestershire Investment conference at Patch at The Forum in Gloucester. This is the second conference I’ve attended this month at which lots of people got together to point out that working together is what we need to do to win as a county.

Perhaps nothing to date has made that point better than the potential of Together Gloucestershire, a digital marketplace putting vetted SMEs from the county in front of businesses and organisations with the very biggest procurement budgets to do deals.

Get this right and the remaining big businesses sign up, and small businesses do the same, the team behind the platform thinks an extra £550 million will be spent every year in the county.

Where they are currently helps point to just how difficult it is to turn that good will and big talk of working together into action.

But it doesn’t rule out that we can’t get there yet!

Have a great weekend.

Best regards,

Andrew Merrell

Editor | 07956 926061 | LinkedIn: Andrew Merrell | andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk

Burnham puts a smile on the face of the pub industry

This week new Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a 20 per cent cut to business rates bills for pubs, social clubs and live music venues in England from April next year. The Covid-19 pandemic brought the pub and hospitality trade to its knees, with businesses taking out loans to survive. Then fuel prices rocketed, the costs of the minimum wage and national insurance went up, those loans were called in.

Mark Terry-Lush, co-founder of Gloucestershire-headquartered HOOP (Hands Off Our Pubs) which has been calling for Government support, said this week’s news was welcome.

“Credit where it’s due, the tone from Number 10 (Downing Street) has changed, and £1,100 back in a landlord’s pocket is £1,100 they didn’t have yesterday. But let’s not kid ourselves. This is a down payment on a debt the sector is owed, not a settlement.”

Terry-Lush called on the business rates saving to be extended to include restaurants, cafés and hotels who get nothing under the scheme.

HOOP, which was founded in the Forest of Dean, calls for a cutting of hospitality VAT to 10 per cent, a reform of business rates, and a closing the supermarket alcohol loophole. It’s not alone. #VATsTheProblem, a campaign to get VAT cut from 20 per cent to 10 per cent across pubs, restaurants, cafés, hotels, nightclubs and wider hospitality venues has so far gained more than 270,000 signatures.

Briefing notes…

🎊 Chairman of Cheltenham BID, Alex Rose, has said the 945 responses from residents and businesses asked ‘what should be done to revitalise Cheltenham’s High Street and Promenade’ was encouraging. Key themes that emerged include: Fix the basics (paving, cleanliness, maintenance); improve visual quality (greenery, consistency, appearance); help restore vitality (shops, activity, vibrancy). Rose said the response showed “people are passionate about Cheltenham, its High Street and Promenade, its heritage and its future”. The BID will now work with the council and partners to make meaningful improvements.

📈 Unemployment rises in county but drops in Forest of Dean: The latest Department for Work and Pensions statistics show that the Forest of Dean has seen a reduction of unemployment by four per cent over the last year. The total number of jobseekers in that district is 1,295, down 60 from last year. But the number of claimants has risen by 11 per cent in the Cotswold district and 10 per cent in Tewkesbury to 1,100 and 1,445 respectively. In Stroud it’s risen by six per cent (85 more people) to 1,610 claimants. In Gloucester it’s up by 75 (two per cent) to 3195.

🛫 Skyborne, which describes itself as one of the world’s leading airline pilot training academies, is strengthening its leadership team by announcing three internal senior appointments. Neill Evans has become head of training at the Staverton-headquartered firm, Matt Yemm is now deputy head of training and Carrie Stringer is head of customer support. Lee Woodward, founder and chief executive officer of Skyborne, which trains pilots from many of the world’s biggest airlines, described the trio as “genuine, passionate leaders”. More here.

✈️ The BBC ran a story this week celebrating the choice of what it called ‘Coventry man’ Sir Frank Whittle being chosen to front a new set of Royal Mail stamps. Aerospace historians will know Whittle may have done a lot of work in Cranwell, but the first flight of the world’s first jet-powered aircraft, the Gloster E28/39, at the Gloster Aircraft Company factory in Brockworth in April 1941, forever cementing his connection to the county. Cheltenham’s Regent Arcade stands on the site of Whittle’s workshop too. One of the stamps pictures the Gloster Javelin FAW9. Quite rightly, it’s the First Class stamp. More here.

The Raikes Journal is a community interest company. Everything you read is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

Readers who upgrade to become a paid subscriber become part of this CIC too (from £2.30 a week). It helps make us sustainable, allows you to see past the paywalls, comment on our stories, and know you’re making possible the county’s only editorially-led digital magazine dedicated to delivering quality journalism for Gloucestershire about its businesses, charities, education and training sectors.

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Use it or lose it: Will the £550m marketplace for Gloucestershire close?

Despite the eye-watering prospect of its online market place delivering an extra £550m of spending with Gloucestershire businesses, and deals already happening, its owners have warned it could close.

A digital marketplace helping small and medium-sized Gloucestershire businesses do deals with organisations with major procurement budgets is warning it needs more support or it could close.

We trailed it on The Raikes Journal in 2024 – the prospect of an online marketplace putting SMEs in front of major firms and organisations with the biggest procurement budgets.

If it succeeds and helps those larger organisations spend just five per cent more of their budgets in the county the team behind Together Gloucestershire predict its marketplace will delivering an extra £550m spend in the county.

But not even a year after it launched – and despite a successful ‘meet the buyer’ event helping secure deals between county SMEs and a major business with £7m to spend (plus other deals done, and more events plans), the team running the marketplace are warning it could close.

Adam Vines, one of the founding fathers and driving forces behind Together Gloucestershire was speaking at the Driving Gloucestershire Investment conference at Patch at The Forum in Gloucester on Friday last week when he was asked about its future.

“Use it or lose it,” he said, echoing the comment made by the audience by another Together Gloucestershire board member, Qing Lin from Transphere Intelligence.

In a debate chaired by media consultant and former editor, Ian Mean, Vines said the project was working well – the recent Meet the Buyer event fronted by major civil engineering firm WSP proved it – but said the key was support and that needed to keep coming.

It was a reminder to everyone there, and everyone who was at the previous week’s Green Skills event at the University of Gloucestershire just across King’s Square, that talking about working together (and they did) is one thing – unless we also need to act or opportunities will pass us by.

Vines said Together Gloucestershire was working, but was run by a team of volunteers who had day jobs.

Vines himself runs Lounge Design, a Cirencester-headquartered creative design agency.

And unless that team can get Together Gloucestershire over its tipping point and into a sustainable place they would have to make the difficult decision.

Getting more SMEs and more big organisations to sign up, was key, he said. There is a small subscription for some. Getting commitment from some organisations that might be expected to welcome an easy opportunity to spend locally was a challenge, he said.

“We have great relationships with partners like WSP, like HBD (the developer charged with driving the major Golden Valley Development near GCHQ).

“We are working with every district and borough council in the county. The Forest of Dean District Council has been really responsive, as has the Cotswolds, but the public sector otherwise is difficult. They are hard to engage with,” said Vines.

Quite how devolution will impact that situation is unclear. The process is now underway to merge our six local authorities and county council into one entity in the next two years.

“What we need to survive is more engagement – from SMEs, big corporations, local authorities and we are looking for ambassadors to champion what we do. But we are gradually building momentum,” said Vines.

Lin said: “We need to all pull together as one county, and there is a bit of a way to go to achieve that.”

Partners already actively involved in the project include St James’s Place, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Spirax Sarco, Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire NHS Trust, Renishaw, and Gloucestershire County Council among others.

The county council alone has a strategic procurement budget of £1.3m, but an overall budget of £698.4 million.

“Together Gloucestershire is more than just another business platform. It’s a movement,” said Vines.

“It’s about creating real economic opportunities for SMEs in Gloucestershire and streamlining the procurement process for large businesses needing strong and ethical partners they can depend on.”

The first ‘meet the buyer’ live event staged in May, also at Patch, was fronted by WSP, one of four delivery partners for Gloucestershire County Council’s highways department. Meetings took place on the day between SMEs present and decisionmakers at WSP and deals are understood to have been done.

WSP is working alongside three other major contractors, Ringway, Tarmac and M Group on a £29m contract and supporting a wider programme of highways activity with c.£100m capital spend.

Over the course of its four-year contract (starting in April 2025 - with an option of a two-year extension) WSP said it aimed to deliver £7.1m of social value to Gloucestershire, with more than 11 per cent of the contract value returning to the county too (a figure it exceeded in year one). It saw Together Gloucestershire as a great tool for making that happen.

Anna Wilson, a contract director for WSP, said: “We have not been involved in anything quite like this ever before. I was involved in another region in something similar, but without the filter, and it was not successful.

“Working with Together Gloucestershire has really been worthwhile because it has already made sure the companies fit our criteria and are relevant.”

Vines added: “You can be really good at what you do, but unless you can demonstrate it – unless that big business knows you are there and can solve their problem, that you tick all their criteria for what they are looking for from a partner – you’re just another person knocking at the door and they probably won’t come out.

“When you become part of Together Gloucestershire (TG) the buyer can see who you are, they can see what you do and get an immediate idea of your business - whether you are a B Corp or not, for example.

“The whole thing about TG is about bringing these like-minded, ethical businesses together. It’s about connections. Large organisations need networks and this is creating one.

“It’s the old analogy that ‘people buy from people they like and can trust’. We are creating a network they can trust.”

The next ‘meet the buyer’ event is scheduled to take place on 30 September at Hartpury University and Hartpury College. There will be opportunity to secure one-to-one meetings direct with procurement teams on the day. Visit the Together Gloucestershire website to find out more.

More here: A telling sign of the battles ahead for Gloucestershire? - more from the Driving Gloucestershire Investment conference.

The number of people out of work has dropped in one of the most deprived parts of Gloucestershire while unemployment has risen elsewhere in the county.

The latest Department for Work and Pensions statistics show that the Forest of Dean has seen a reduction of unemployment by four per cent over the last year.

The total number of jobseekers in that district, which according to the ONS was ranked as the most deprived Gloucestershire district in 2024, is currently at 1,295 down 60 from last year.

But the number of claimants has risen by 11 per cent in the Cotswold district and ten per cent in Tewkesbury to 1,100 and 1,445 respectively.

Stroud has seen 85 more people sign on which constitutes a six per cent rise to a total of 1,610 claimants. While in Gloucester there are 75 more claimants than there were last year up two per cent to a total of 3195.

The drop in claimants in the Forest of Dean has been welcomed by Labour MP Matt Bishop. He said the reduction in unemployment across the area is welcome news, especially the drop in youth unemployment.

“It’s positive to see local partnerships helping residents gain skills, access training and find employment,” he said.

“I look forward to seeing this progress continue, so we can ensure everyone in the Forest of Dean has the opportunity to secure good, stable work.”

James Skilling, DWP third party provision manager for Gloucestershire, Somerset and West of England, said: “Jobcentre Plus offices across Gloucestershire have continued to support persons back into employment through partnership working, with local authorities, training providers and employers.

“The Forest of Dean area has seen the greatest reduction of unemployment over the past year, within Gloucestershire, with a four per cent reduction of unemployment across all age ranges, including a reduction of two per cent for young persons aged 18-24.”

Jobseekers have been encouraged to check out the range of vacancies available on Find a Job, with more than 750 vacancies in the Gloucestershire area.

A UK Government spokesperson said that while it’s welcome that unemployment has fallen slightly, the reality is too many young people are still locked out of work.

“For too long, governments have paid for failure rather than invested in people’s success,” they said.

“We’re determined to turn that around by creating real opportunities for young people, reforming education so everyone has a clear path to a good job and providing the support people need to stay and get on in work.”

By Carmelo Garcia, local democracy reporter for Gloucestershire. carmelo.garcia@reachplc.com

*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service. Why? Only independent, credible journalistically-led platforms that meet the BBC’s high standards win that permission.

Skyborne, which describes itself as one of the world’s leading airline pilot training academies, is strengthening its leadership team by announcing three internal senior appointments.

Neill Evans has become head of training at the Staverton-headquartered firm, Matt Yemm is now deputy head of training and Carrie Stringer is head of customer support.

Lee Woodward, founder and chief executive officer of Skyborne, which trains pilots from many of the world’s biggest airlines, said: “Skyborne is trusted worldwide to train the next generation of airline pilots, and our senior team play a critical role in generating a strong pilot pipeline.

“Neill, Matt and Carrie are genuine, passionate leaders, and I am confident they will continue helping our trainees reach their full potential.”

Evans and Yemm will oversee the delivery of flight training across Skyborne’s Gloucestershire and Bournemouth Airport sites.

Evans has more than 20 years in aviation training and air traffic services and is a highly experienced UK CAA and EASA senior examiner.

Yemm has a decade of experience as a flight instructor and first officer and began his career as a warfare officer in the Royal Navy. His background strengthens Skyborne’s professional pilot pathways, preparing trainees for a successful airline career.

Stringer will oversee trainee satisfaction and support processes for Skyborne across the US, UK, and India. A Royal Air Force veteran, she has spent the last six years at the academy, building extensive knowledge of Skyborne’s training operations, relationship management and business development.

Woodward adds: “We’re continuing to grow our global footprint but we’re not stopping there. We continually invest in our people, trainees and facilities, and that’s why 95 per cent of Skyborne pilots are in airline employment today.”

Skyborne graduates go on to fly for airline partners worldwide including British Airways, easyJet, Jet2.com, Ryanair, Envoy Air, SkyWest Airlines and IndiGo.

This press release was sent to The Raikes Journal by the 80:20 Communications on 20 July 2026.

* If you want to see your releases featured here, and included on our email editions, email the editor.

The Raikes Journal is a digital magazine and community interest company whose supporters believe, like us, that journalism about Gloucestershire is worth keeping alive. Everything you read on The Raikes Journal is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People, our sponsors and our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.

If you upgrade to paid you will be able to see past the paywalls on our second and third email editions of the week, that lock all our archive after two weeks and lock our rolling Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire, the series that follows the financial fortunes of our biggest firms by turnover. You will be able to comment on our stories too. You’ll be helping make this CIC sustainable. Please do join us.

You can do that for just £2.30 a week - or £1.80 a week if two or more people sign up at once.

Subscribe now