Major county construction firm predicts a successful 2025 and more
A fall in turnover of 15 per cent belies the real story of what is going on at one of Gloucestershire’s biggest and best-known construction firms.
Dear reader,
Welcome to Friday’s edition of The Raikes Journal.
Judging by the numbers that read our story about Bob Holt’s latest venture, Monday’s piece on apprenticeship numbers at Gloucestershire College, and yesterday’s article about Gloucestershire Airport, we’re delivering something of significant interest.
Today we’re much more community focused.
We help Hartpury University celebrate some very exciting news, and even post their video celebrating the fact, we mention the start of a campaign launched by Tweedy the clown, no less, to raise £1 million for a new education and arts centre linked to Cheltenham’s Everyman theatre.
And we flag a foodie passport launched by Gloucester BID which those of you thinking of dining out in the city might want to consider.
The main story is about one of Gloucestershire’s best-known and biggest construction firms, and a significant fall in turnover. But don’t let that fool you into thinking it’s not doing very well indeed!
Have a great weekend.
Best regards,
Andrew Merrell (editor).
*The Raikes Journal is the only independent news outlet in Gloucestershire approved to use the copy of the BBC local government reporting service.
* It 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.
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Gloucestershire university singled out by The Times and Sunday Times
Hartpury University has been named Specialist University of the Year 2026 in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide – a major national recognition of its exceptional teaching, facilities, and student experience. Hartpury goes out of its way in its press release to state that such accolades are significant during a “pivotal moment” for the higher education sector under huge pressure to change. Professor Andy Collop, vice-chancellor of Hartpury University, described it as “an extraordinary achievement”. Rosie Scott-Ward, deputy vice-chancellor, said the award “reinforces the distinct advantages” of studying at Hartpury.
Briefing note…
Tewkesbury-headquartered housing association Bromford has submitted plans for its biggest ever development in Gloucestershire. It’s seeking permission to build 217 homes on 19.5 acres of land south of Corncroft Lane, Matson. The site’s previously been granted planning permission by Gloucester City Council in 2022. More here.
Cotswold-based labour supply specialist to the construction and engineering sectors, Hercules, has announced new contracts worth around £6.5 million. The latest news refers to contracts in the water sector. The South Cerney-based business will supply staff to Galliford Try, Costain, Tilbury Douglas, MWH Treatment, Glanua and Thames Water UK-wide. More here.
If you want something to help you make a decision on where to eat this weekend, should you be lucky enough to be going out, here’s an idea. Gloucester BID, the organisation that represents and champions city centre businesses, has launched its Foodie Passport Challenge. Running from 15 September to 31 October 2025, the challenge encourages diners to eat out after 5 pm, collect stamps from participating venues, and enter to win one of many fantastic prizes. Restaurants involved include Aroma, Dr Foster, The Fountain Inn, Spago, Cafe Rene, Island Bites, Coal Kitchen, Topoly’s, Gloucester Food Dock’s Chuck Burger, Elote Tacos and Kinn Kinn. More here.
The Everyman’s £1 million mission
This week there was a lot of clowning around going on in Cheltenham as the Everyman Theatre officially launched its Grove Street Appeal. Gloucestershire legend, pantomime favourite and Gifford’s Circus superstar Tweedy the Clown ceremoniously broke through the wall of the Grove Street building in the town, which the team hope to transform into a new dedicated creative arts education and community centre. Fundraising is now officially underway too, with the target being £1 million. The new centre will allow the education and community team to reach even more than the 22,000 it already engages with annually and break down barriers to the arts, improving mental health and wellbeing and providing a safe space for creativity and connection. More here.
Diary Dates
Friday
Gloucester History Festival continues all through this weekend. Names up include Alice Roberts, Ian Mortimer, Lyse Doucet, Greg Jenner and Janina Ramirez. More here.
Saturday
Tewkesbury continues to stage its series of Heritage Open Days throughout the weekend. More here.
Enjoy a day of live music at Minchinhampton Folm Club Festival from 1pm to 10.30pm. More here.
The Barn Theatre in Cirencester is staging the comedy Haywire, commissioned by the BBC no less, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm (and Friday 19 Sept too). More here.
Sunday
Run Cheltenham is due to stage its 10k and half marathon today. More here.
Major county construction firm predicts a successful 2025 and more
A fall in turnover of 15 per cent belies the real story of what is going on at one of Gloucestershire’s biggest and best-known construction firms.
Turnover at one of Gloucestershire’s biggest construction firms fell 15 per cent year-on-year, a drop of nearly £20 million, but it belies the progress the multi-million turnover business is making - and then there’s the change in ownership.
Its just-published annual report for the year ending 31 December 2024 describes a firm that undertook a “comprehensive reassessment of its long-term strategic plan in 2022”, laying bare what it sees as its winning qualities that will sustain its success.
These include a commitment to excellence in execution, fostering a culture of integrity and reliability, robust financial management, prioritising wellbeing of employees and stakeholders, a collaborative approach to working, and investing in the skills of its workforce.
And the annual report also goes into some detail about its transition to employee ownership, which it says has “gone from strength-to-strength”, a decision taken to support the firm’s “long-term sustainability” and “secure the legacy of the founding partners”.
And it confidently predicts a rise in turnover this year, and explains why
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