Gloucestershire revealed as "a driving force” in a fast-emerging £multi-billion UK sector
The arrival of another European firm at a special business innovation centre in Gloucestershire has highlighted the county as "a driving force” in a market already worth a cool £13 billion to the UK.
Dear readers,
I hope you’ve had a great week.
Welcome to Friday’s edition, which regular readers will know we usually paywall the main story on to help pay for what we do. But not today.
A flurry of new subscribers means we’re keeping the paywall off as we take a proper look at the story behind some news that surfaced a few days ago as a press release. Which is how anyone else who ‘reported’ on the story ran it.
And in doing an opportunity was missed to ask a few questions and find out how the news of a fledgling firm from Turkey choosing to open a UK headquarters in Gloucestershire reflected on the county and what that really means.
Which is exactly what we did. The short answer, is it means a lot.
For those who don’t know, this is what The Raikes Journal is seeking to do. With the collapse of local media and the tendency among even the most ‘serious’ business news websites for the regions to simply run press releases, we’re trying to keep the flame of journalism alive and deliver something credible, of quality, and something we hope is truly worthy of Gloucestershire.
If we’re managing that, then everyone’s a winner - those who send out those releases, those who don’t, the organisastions working hard behind the scenes that few ever quote or reference any more, and anyone who reads what we write. And everyone will be better informed and closer to their county for it.
Have a great bank holiday weekend.
Best regards,
Andrew Merrell (editor).
For every person you refer to The Raikes Journal’s email service you get points towards a free membership allowing you to see beyond our paywalls. Please do sign up (free or otherwise), send the referral link to a friend or colleague, and help us grow.
Your briefing notes…
🏗️ Developers planning a 25-acre business park, a hotel, shops, cafes, restaurants, pubs and takeaways - plus more than 4,000 new homes - have united seven Gloucestershire villages against the scheme. More than 110 people have protested against the plans by Bloor Homes and Persimmon Homes amid fears they will have a “disastrous effect” on the area. More here.
🏗️💷 In better news for Persimmon Homes, its Severn Valley branch is getting well deserved credit for donating £1,500 to the Nelson Trust, a leading charity in the South West of England and Wales, dedicated to supporting thousands of individuals every year. The donation was made as part of the five-star developer’s Community Champions programme, which sees £700,000 spent on good causes and much-valued organisations across Britain each year. More here.
🚯 Residents in fly-tipping hotspots across Gloucester were visited as part of a joint initiative between Gloucester City Homes (GCH) and Gloucester City Council to raise awareness of flytipping, encourage reporting, and promote pride in local neighbourhoods. The ‘Let’s Talk Fly-Tipping’ event saw teams from GCH’s homes and neighbourhoods department joined by Councillor Sebastian Field, cabinet member for the environment and councillor for Podsmead, along with officers from the council’s waste and environmental crime teams. More here.
🚗💷 Conservative councillors have called for an investigation into how a potentialluy lucrative contract was awarded. The calls came after Gloucester City Council announced the new operator for the Hempsted Meadows car boot market site last week amid hopes it could become “the most significant in the country”. The lease to run the car boot sale off David Hook Way was successfully won by Capital Boot Sales after a marketing process run by Gloucester City Council, which owns the land. As well as being open all year round, there are hopes to host music events, a drive-in cinema and outdoor fitness events. More here.
🏗️🏫 The go-ahead to build new facilities at a Cheltenham school has been met with a furious backlash from residents, who have raised “serious concerns” about the development. A Cheltenham school’s ‘ugly’ plans for a new classroom block and gym have been approved despite fears the “abominating” structure will loom over nearby homes. Alpha Schools’ plans for the Charlton Kings site were debated by borough planners yesterday (May 22). They want to demolish and re-build the classroom block and gym building at the Cirencester Road school. More here.
🚂 Businesses and the city’s MP have called for clarity after news broke the half-hourly rail service between Gloucester and Bristol could be cut. There is concern over the future of the service as funding for the route is set to end in 2026. Gloucester Chamber of Commerce is among those organisation who are concerned about the impact a potential reduction in services could have. They say if the service which calls at Yate were reduced it would be hugely detrimental. More here.
Diary dates…
Friday…
🎶🎶🎶 Sound of the Sirens, South West singer-songwriting duo Abbe Martin and Hannah Wood, take to the stage at the Sub Rooms, Stroud, tonight. Doors open at 7pm for 8pm start. £19.00 a ticket.
Saturday…
🚂 Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway’s Cotswold Festival of Steam Gala. Taking place all bank holiday weekend!
☕ Latte Art Class for two. Want to learn how to make your coffee at home look extra pretty? Bring a mate, family member or partner to learn some latte art together at the The Scandinavian Coffee Pod, Royal Well Place Cheltenham GL50 3DN.
👻 Gloucester Ghost Tour. Lots of history, lots of stories about the paranormal. Due to start at The Folk, in Westgate Street, finishing at Greyfriards Priory on Northgate Street. From 8pm to 10.30pm.
Sunday…
🏊🏿♀️🎶 Celebrate 90 Years of Cheltenham Lido with music, fun and a splash! The party starts at 11am on Sunday. 50 per cent off entry.
😋 The Forest Showcase team stages its Spring Food Festival, taking place at Speech House, near Coleford. Food stalls and live music from 10am to 5pm.
Monday…
🧀🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️ The annual Cheese Rolling at Cooper’s Hill. Races start from 12pm.
🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏼♀️🏃🏽♀️➡️ The Tetbury Woolsack Races. 10am to 5pm.
* 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 here - original stories about our county - is made possible by our incredible Founding Partners: QuoLux, Willans LLP, Gloucestershire College, Merrell People and Randall & Payne; our sponsors, Founding Members and wonderful paying subscribers.
If you upgrade to paid you’ll be part of this CIC too. We’re dedicated to championing the county, its businesses, charities, education and training providers, and to creating an even stronger community. If you upgrade to paid you’ll be able to see past the paywalls often put on our 2cnd and 3rd email editions of the week, that lock our archive after two weeks and our Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series. You’ll be able to comment on our stories too.
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Gloucestershire revealed as "a driving force” in a fast-emerging £multi-billion UK sector
The arrival of another European firm at a special business innovation centre in Gloucestershire has highlighted the county as "a driving force” in a market already worth a cool £13 billion to the UK.
By Andrew Merrell.
The arrival of Turkish firm Agorvech at Hartpury Digital Innovation Farm has highlighted the growing impact and value to the UK of agri-tech - the space in which technology, agriculture and entrepreneurs meet to deliver transformative solutions.
The firm’s arrival has also put a focus on Gloucestershire as a key catalyst in what is a fast-emerging global market and a sector already worth an estimated £13 billion to the UK (according to Barclays Bank) – that’s the same as the much championed cyber sector currently.
It’s also an industry that employs an estimated half a million Uk staff.
Neave Anderson, digital innovation farm manager at Hartpury, said: “Agri-tech is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the UK.
“For entrepreneurs, it offers huge potential in areas like automation, robotics, AI, and sustainability.
“For farmers, it’s a chance to boost productivity, manage rising costs, and meet environmental goals. It’s where practical farming challenges meet scalable innovation.”
The Digital Innovation Farm, based on Hartpury University and Hartpury College’s 360-hectare campus near Gloucester, is part of a multi-million Agri-Tech Centre providing farmers, students and organisations with access to the latest commercial technology.
It is this initiative, and the inroads and connections it is building, that has helped place Hartpury and the county at the centre of something special.
Anderson added: “Gloucestershire is a driving force in UK agri-tech. With the Royal Agricultural University and Hartpury University and College at its core, the region blends rural setting, research excellence, and entrepreneurial energy.
“It’s an ideal launchpad for new ideas and businesses shaping the future of farming.”
Phil Clement is head of inward investment at Invest in Gloucestershire, the organisation set up to encourage and facilitate investment into the county.
“With AI, along with advances in drone and satellite technology helping shape new products and services, including in agri-tech, this is exactly the type of hi-tech company that Gloucestershire seeks to attract,” said Clement, who said Agorvech was not the only company eyeing a move to the county.
“We are certainly seeing a continued interest in Gloucestershire, with inquiries coming across our target sectors of digital technology and cyber security, agri-tech and advanced engineering.
“In the last few weeks we hosted a company in agri-tech that utilises satellite and drone technology to improve crop yields, plus this week we are showing a cyber company their new office premises in Cheltenham.
“Our pipeline continues to grow, with companies from the USA, Canada and Europe interested in expanding their international footprint in Gloucestershire.
“Their ability to hire staff is often key, plus obtaining or renting cost-effective commercial premises.
“Our welcoming business environment with strong sector networks, enabling new entrants to hit the ground running, has also been commented on by those that have set up here.”
Simon King, head of external business relations at Hartpury University and Hartpury College, said: “Agrovech’s decision to establish its UK base at Hartpury is a testament to Gloucestershire’s reputation as a hub for innovation in agri-tech.
“This partnership will pave the way for smarter, more sustainable farming solutions while opening up exciting opportunities for collaboration and knowledge-sharing across the sector.”
Agrovech, specialises in the use of artificial intelligence with drone and satellite technology to improve crop yields.
Through monitoring crop health the firm helps farmers make “smarter decisions to boost yields, increase productivity, cut costs and sustainably manage ecological impacts”.
Its technology provides location-based analysis to deliver tailor-made solutions for smart farming.
Ali Furkan Kamanli PhD, co-founder of Agrovech, is also a senior academic in the Faculty of Technology at the University of Applied Sciences in Sakarya in Turkey.
Kamanli was in Hartpury last month.
“Our visit to Hartpury was truly inspiring. It opened our eyes to the vast opportunities for expanding our product offerings and collaborating with Hartpury's extensive network of potential end-users across the UK.
“Furthermore, the ability to tap into a digitally-aware talent pool at Hartpury provides us with a valuable foundation as we continue to grow and innovate in precision agriculture,” he said.
Anderson added: “The Digital Innovation Farm has collaborated with more than 200 businesses – from agri-tech startups to commercial farms and technology providers. Engagements range from consultancy and use of testbeds to long-term innovation partnerships.
“Through trials, workshops, and mentoring, it’s rapidly building a national reputation as a leading hub for on-farm innovation.”
“The strength of the farm lies in its real-world testing environment, strong academic and industry links, and an active, supportive community of collaborators.
“A key part of its success is a passionate farm team committed to pushing boundaries in both animal welfare and sustainable production.
“Other core strengths include not just the ‘real-world application’ or its work, the expert support, and collaborative spirit.”
Hartpury will tell you its key ingredients to success also include its working commercial farm for live testing and demos, strong academic and industry partnerships, access to more than 600 students and leading experts, a community open to innovation and knowledge exchange.
According to Anderson this makes for ‘a unique and powerful platform for agri-tech progress and innovation’.