Believe in Gloucester reveals the city’s growing allure - for Cheltonians!
It's done what some thought impossible, it's hospitality is even attracting customers from Cheltenham, and Gloucester is about to celebrate its ongoing renaissance with a very special event.
Dear reader,
Welcome to your first email edition of the week.
Just in case you missed Friday or Thursday’s editions, Friday went big on the sale of The Queen’s Hotel in Cheltenham, and also ran an update on the Big Space Cancer Appeal which we are following along, and Thursday led on the expansion of The Long Table into Cirencester.
You can read them both via the links.
Today’s story began as an idea for a short article flagging Gloucester BID’s forthcoming Believe in Gloucester Awards, which I am proud to say Raikes is the media partner for. But it quickly morphed as we recalled why the awards were first set up and then spoke to one or two people involved this year.
It struck us just how much the city has changed.
What started all those years ago as an event to inject some pride back into Gloucester is re-launching as a full-blown celebration of what the city has to offer.
And it flagged up something that tickled us too - Cheltonians are visiting the city now for a day out!
That was pretty much unheard of when the awards were first launched. And if you think how high the bar is in Cheltenham, it perhaps shows just how much variety the county now has - as well as how far Gloucester and the county has come!
Have a great week.
Andrew Merrell (editor).
NB: Raikes publishes probably the best-read business-related newsletter, pound for pound, in Gloucestershire.
If you have a story, an issue, a news item, a charity or an interview, you want us to write about or investigate, challenge the powers that be on, please email me: andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.
Tractortastic! The Pied Piper Appeal and other charities are set to benefit from this
The manager of St Oswald’s Retail Park (the retail park that’s also home to B&Q in Gloucester) has revealed it will again play host to a very special attraction in December - a procession of brightly decorated tractors! The convoy has grown in popularity over the years, from 20 tractors in 2021 to 50 in 2022 and 85 in 2023. Numbers are as yet unconfirmed this year, but Jason Robinson, senior destination manager for St Oswald’s, said the event had become quite a draw. “Seeing the joy it brings to families and knowing it supports wonderful causes makes it even more meaningful. We’re excited to be the final stop.” The convoy will start at 4:30pm at the Rose & Crown in Redmarley, move on through Staunton, Ashleworth, Hartpury, Maisemore, Longford and reaches St Oswald’s between 7pm and 7.30pm. It will be collecting money for the Pied Piper Appeal children’s charity and others. Due to take place on Sunday 15 December.
Your briefing notes…
📈 Tracking the financials of some of Gloucestershire’s biggest firms, as we do for our Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series, we spotted news of Hazlewoods. The county-headquartered firm of accountants and business advisors, which actually works with many of those biggest firms, managed to increase its own turnover by more than £5 million. In the year ending 30 April 2024 it rose from £40.3 million in 2023 to £45.9 million in 2024. Operating profit was up from £14 million to £16 million.
💷 Cheltenham-headquartered lawyers BPE has revealed it played a key role in a recent £4.7 million deal that saw AIM-listed REACT Group plc takeover 24hr Aquaflow Services Ltd. REACT is a specialist cleaning and facilities management provider headquartered in Birmingham. It said the acquisition was part of a strategic venture to become the UK’s leading specialist cleaning and FM support services company. It’s aim, it said, was to “accelerate growth” in shareholder value, and to complement its “continued organic growth”. Aquaflow is based in Erith, London.
🚗🚗🚗 Will the new Cotswold Designer Outlet just outside Tewkesbury get a multi-storey or a “surface-level” car park? Developer Robert Hitchins, which is behind the scheme just off Junction 9 of the M5 at Ashchurch, is covering all bases. While its application for a multi-storey is progressing through planning the business has let it be known it has submitted a second application for a surface-level car park of 428 spaces with a single deck of 179 spaces, just in case. Hitchins says it is taking on board some concerns expressed about the first set of plans. Outline planning has already been granted for total parking for 2,200 vehicles..
Our to do list for the week ahead…
📅 Monday 11 November. Gloucestershire College continues its series of open evenings to make wannabe students more aware of the opportunities available. Staff will be on hand to talk to visitors. At both its Gloucester and Cheltenham campuses doors open from 5pm to 8pm. The Forest of Dean campus will repeat the offer on Wednesday at the same time. Book your place here.
📅 Tuesday 12 November. Peter Heather is due to lead a cyber security workshop for SMEs at The Growth Hub, Stroud, today from 10am to 1pm. Heather will focus on cybersecurity awareness and best practices for business, from the importance of training to developing and testing an incident response plan.
📅 Wednesday 13 November. Four keynote speakers will lead this fully-funded workshop at the Forest of Dean’s Growth Hub, staged in conjunction with the district council. It will cover carbon auditing the benefits of renewable technology in reducing bills and carbon emissions, and advice on organisations can develop sustainably. From 9.30am to 12.30pm.
Plus, everything you’ve wanted to know about research and development and your business in relation to HMRC and tax will be discussed by James Geary, a partner at accountants Randall & Payne, in this CPD webinar at 12pm. Find out more here.
📅 Thursday 14 November. The Music Works presents Creative Futures, billed as a music industry conference and networking an event dedicated to empowering and guiding aspiring young creatives and helping build successful careers in the music industry. Due to take place from 11am to 7.30pm.
📅 Friday 15 November. Laptop Friday, described as ‘vibrant and informal co-working’ takes place every Friday at Gloucester Brewery’s Warehouse 4 taproom at Gloucester Docks. From 12.30pm to 2.30pm. No cost.
* Everything you read on The Raikes Journal is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne, our sponsors Hartpury University and Hartpury College, our Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.
If you upgrade to paid you’ll be part of this community interest company too. In an era when local journalism is all but gone and websites covered in pop-ups and full of advertorials, lists and unedited press releases, we are dedicated to delivering quality journalism for Gloucestershire, to championing the county, in particular its businesses, charities, education and training providers and to helping create an even stronger community. 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.
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Believe in Gloucester reveals the city’s growing allure - for Cheltonians!
It's done what some thought impossible, it's hospitality is even attracting customers from Cheltenham, and Gloucester is about to celebrate its ongoing renaissance with a very special event.
By Andrew Merrell.
There was a time when many Cheltonians would never have contemplated a trip to Gloucester to enjoy its food and drink, but next week the city will celebrate the renaissance that’s bringing about that change at a special awards night.
Yes, Gloucester has done what some thought possible, it’s now drawing customers from Cheltenham (and further afield) with its food, drink and more, and next week the city will celebrate in style.
When the Believe in Gloucester Awards return on Wednesday next week (20 November) they will no longer be about restoring pride in a beleaguered city, but about celebrating its rise and rise.
When they were first dreamed up in the early 2000s the awards were all about helping it build back a sense of ‘can do’ and pride in the city.
It had long been forsaken as a place worth visiting by many from the other end of the Golden Valley.
The city’s superior number of listed buildings has lost their lustre and only its two Cathedrals - the official one and, of course, Kingsholm Stadium - held any remaining pulling power.
It was why, when British billionaire John Whittaker, chairman of Peel Group, announced his business would be investing £248 million to create the Quays outlet centre - declaring that he “believed in Gloucester” - that his words resonated so powerfully.
Placemakers seized upon the vote of confidence and investment, launching the Believe in Gloucester Awards to showcase what they hoped would be the start of a modern renaissance.
Now, after a five-year hiatus, those awards are back – but with a new attitude and a confidence that shows just how much has changed and how differently people view the city.
The ultimate litmus test for that is what we will call ‘the Cheltenham test’. It passes with flying colours!
Kyla Hyett, manager of Gloucester Food Dock (who also used to work for Gloucester Quays too), said: “We are seeing quite a few people come over from Cheltenham just to come to the Food Dock – which makes me do a little dance inside! The city has changed so much and for the better.”
What is so powerful about the news is that Cheltenham’s own offer - its food, drink and hospitality - only goes from strength to strength too.
One official from the town told this reporter recently that Cheltenham has to work harder because visitors arriving at the new Arle Court park and ride are now faced with two choices - do they go up or down the Golden Valley?
Gloucester Food Dock looks after the new stable of eateries and bars overlooking the Docks’ Victoria Basin. It’s just celebrated its first anniversary and is also sponsoring the returning awards.
“We are so excited to be involved in Believe in Gloucester Awards. I think since covid (the Covid-19 pandemic) there has been a mindset change. It seems to have really highlighted the importance of supporting local businesses,” said Hyett.
“People would rather go to a small business and try something different that a big corporate. Although each have their place, of course.”
At least three of the businesses from the Food Dock - the Hop Kettle Brewery, wine bar Our House and brownie and baked treats specialist Hetty’s Place, are all up for awards.
The first two for Best Bar, the second for Best Customer Service and Best Food and Drink Venue.
The awards were bought back due to ‘popular demand’ by Gloucester BID, but even the influential city centre business group has been taken aback by the reaction and new-found love for the city.
Thousands voted online for the businesses, organisations and charities nominated for the 15 categories.
Emily Gibbon, manager of Gloucester BID, said: “It’s been a lovely reaction. We thought getting sponsorship would be hard too, but there has been such a positive reaction from businesses to be involved.”
Headline sponsors are Gloucester Quays and WSP Solicitors, with individual awards also sponsored by University of Gloucestershire, King's Gloucester, Davies & Partners, Kara - the Southgate Street hairdressers, The Local Answer, The Food Dock, Gloucester City Safe, Cass Stephens, King’s Walk Gloucester, Gloucester City Council, Gloucestershire County Council, GMS Group and Eastgate Shopping Centre.
“What has really been lovely is the number of people voting. It has created chaos - in the nicest possible way! I think the numbers show the passion for the city,” said Gibbon.
“There is so much belief in the city now. When the awards were set up years ago it was about that partnership between the city and Gloucester Quays and how that was transforming the city. It brought people together.
“Now, people realise what a brilliant city we have. We’ve turned the page and are well into the next chapter. There is plenty to celebrate.”
I’m afraid you are too late for tickets to the event, but The Raikes Journal is lucky enough to be media partner and will be reporting all the action and the winners right here. To find out more about the awards click here.