Superdry founder unveils plans for new hospitality venue
Julian Dunkerton, founder of fashion label Superdry and one of Gloucestershire’s best-known and most successful businessmen, has unveiled plans to transform one of Cheltenham’s most iconic venues.
Dear readers,
Welcome to Friday’s edition of The Raikes Journal.
Usually we paywall our Thursday and Friday editions to make our CIC pay, but thanks to one of our Founding Partners, Randall & Payne, being the organisers of the Budget event we wrote about yesterday we’ve been able to keep the paywall off.
Today, we simply wanted to share the news. So please enjoy.
We were one of those invited to yesterday’s charm offensive by Julian Dunkerton, who decided to speak directly to the media about his plans for a significant investment at what is already an iconic Cheltenham venue.
You can find out exactly what he has in mind below, but in a world where it can seem harder than ever to get clarity direct from the bosses of businesses driving developments and investments, that he took time out from the small matter of running Superdry to meet face-to-face was welcome and refreshing.
And the hospitality at 131 for the breakfast press briefing was just as you would expect of a venue its owner already describes as ‘world class’!
All that remains now is whether the borough council’s planning committee can see fit to find a way of balancing that fine line they have to tread between protecting a listed building and allowing them to become fit for the modern world.
We wish him luck.
Have a great weekend.
Andrew Merrell.
NB: Raikes publishes probably the best-read business-related newsletter, pound for pound, in Gloucestershire.
You news briefing notes…
🔊 We’ve been flagging this for a while, but there is still a handful of tickets left. Members of the business community are invited to connect with like-minded leaders and listen to two inspirational speakers share their experiences of growing their companies. The event is due to be staged at The Gloucester Growth Hub on Thursday 7 November with all the ticket sales going to The Nelson Trust. On the bill are Deborah Lamplugh, founder of Forthay Granola, and Deborah Flint, managing director of family business Cinderhill Farm. Azets, Benefact Group, Meta Advisors, and WSP Solicitors are the sponsors. The event will raise vital funds to help individuals recover from alcohol and substance misuse. Tickets are £15. Find out more here.
£20 million of good news for the major Gloucestershire development
What could have been a significant bump in the road for the county’s flag ship Golden Valley development has been removed with the news that the £20 million of levelling up funding previously ‘promised’ under the Consverative Government will be made available.
Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner, has put an end to weeks of concern about the cash and written to Cheltenham Borough Council, allowing it to push ahead with its ambitious project.
The first phase of the scheme is the construction of the National Cyber Innovation Centre, a building that will sit at the heart of a new business/tech park alongside 1,000-plus new homes beside the GCHQ building.
HBD, the developer overseeing the project, has already confirmed to Raikes it considers it to be business as usual.
Cllr Rowena Hay, leader of the council said: “The opportunity offered by Golden Valley not only helps us deliver jobs and prosperity for local people but will also lead to a notable transformation in national-security relations between government, academia and industry.
Hollie Wakefield, general manager, at CyNam, the 5,000-strong group representing the county’s growing cyber cluster, said: “We are thrilled to hear that the £20 million Levelling Up Funding has been reconfirmed following the budget. The Golden Valley Development will be a game-changer for Gloucestershire's and the wider UK’s cyber tech ecosystem.
“By bringing together industry, academia, and government, this development will foster collaboration, innovation, and the development of cutting-edge secure technologies.
“We’re excited to see how this cluster will drive growth and create new opportunities for our members.”
Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson also welcomed the news.
Wilkinson said: “Having raised the matter in the Commons, asked plenty of questions, sent letters of support and held discussions with Ministers, I am delighted and grateful that they have listened and confirmed that our town will receive funding.
“That funding was far from secure after the chaotic approach taken by the previous Conservative Government.
“Even though we welcome today’s news, this isn’t the end. We now need to continue efforts to ensure the development is a success.
“I will continue to speak up for local cyber businesses and the Golden Valley Development, doing everything I possibly can to support local work to ensure investment and jobs in our town.
“I would also again pay tribute the Borough Council and CyNam, who continue to work hard so our town’s cyber sector can thrive.”
£11 million of Levelling Up cash confirmed for Gloucester too!
And in more good news around Levelling Up, Raikes can report that the ‘promised’ £11 million funds ‘promised’ for the transformation of the Greyfriars area in the centre of Gloucester will also be granted afterwall.
This was news first announced in 2023, but that then looked in jeopardy when the new Labour Government made it known the public finances inherited from the previous administration were even worse shape than it had expected.
Plans are to transform the city centre Greyfriars area into a cultural hub that will involve the redevelopment of the market hall, incorporate the ruins of the 13th century Greyfriards monastry and surrounding land and contain an outdoor gym, play area, cycle hub, serviced apartments, flexible workspace and more.
Councillor Jeremy Hilton, leader of Gloucester City Council, said: “This is another piece in the jigsaw along with The Forum, Kings Square, and the Food Dock all supported by the council, ensuring that Gloucester remains a lively and inviting place to visit.”
Demand leads to growth for business law specialist
Sherbornes, the Cheltenham based specialist in business and employment law, has strengthened its team to cope with growing demand. Ellie Forsyth (pictured above, right), a member of the Institute of Legal Executives, joins the firm from BPE Solicitors. Trula Brunsdon (pictured centre), a director of Sherbornes, said the firm had enjoyed a “strong and sustained level of growth”. Forsyth was a project manager with Steinhoff and a family engagement worker with the Prison Advice and Care Trust. Her role at Sherbornes will see her advising both employers and employees on all aspects of Employment Law, as well as handling Employment Tribunal Litigation.
* 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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Superdry founder unveils plans for new hospitality venue
Julian Dunkerton, founder of fashion label Superdry and one of Gloucestershire’s best-known and most successful businessmen, has unveiled plans to transform one of Cheltenham’s most iconic venues.
By Andrew Merrell.
Julian Dunkerton, the founder of fashion label Superdry, has revealed his plans to transform one of Cheltenham’s iconic hospitality venues - a project he says will keep the family business viable and save up to 100 jobs.
Two proposals have gone before borough council planners to build a permanent covered area at the front of the grade II listed buildings that make up the bar (Gin & Juice), restaurant and hotel business No. 131 The Promenade - buildings he and his wife, businesswoman Jade Dunkerton, spent £18 million restoring.
Proposal one is a glazed, decorative, single-storey metal structure reflecting the period ironwork in situ around No. 131 and across the town. The second is a more discreet metal pergola with retractable roof, otherwise fully glazed sides.
The successful scheme would replace the marques at the front of 131, put up during the pandemic. Dunkerton has endured sustained pressure to remove the tents that has been mounting while his design team has worked to progress plans for a suitable permanent replacement.
Those plans have been informed by conversations between his architects, Tyack, of Moreton-in-Marsh, his planning experts, Cheltenham-headquarters SF Planning, the borough council and Historic England in an effort to arrive ready to please planners and proceed without delay.
The submissions to the borough council will also be supported by a heritage impact assessment that aims to ensure the integrity of the proposal, both in terms of conservation and design.
Criticism about the tents has come from Cheltenham Civic Society and others and Dunkerton is keen to stress the plan was never to keep them long term and to deliver something special for his home town by way of replacement.
The businessman invited media to a face-to-face yesterday (Thursday 31 October) to explain his plans, why the additional structure was vital to fortify 131’s position as Cheltenham’s premium destination and to safeguard scores of jobs.
The layout of the building and where the kitchen is makes a dining space in any other area impossible and the extra covers provided by the seating to the front, he said, are what makes the business model work.
With the tents due to be removed and without the additional permanent structures even weddings would not be able to take place at the venue.
Bar 131 might have all the feel of a passion project but it was, said Dunkerton, a business that needed to break even.
“The importance of seeking approval for our proposal should not be underestimated. It saves around 100 jobs for local people and enables us to create something unique and distinctive for the town.
“Making the terrace of 131 a permanent feature ensures the venue itself is economically viable and allows us to plan for the future, bringing more investment into Cheltenham,” said Dunkerton.
The business currently employs an estimated 130 staff in total.
Could 131 really shut up shop - a business backed by a multi-millionaire?
“Across the street you have The Queen’s Hotel,” said Dunkerton, pointing to the Grade II-listed building that overlooks the jewel that is Imperial Square and Gardens.
“You may not know The Queens is now up for sale. That’s how hard it is in hospitality at the moment.”
A quick guided tour saw him point out two other covered outdoor areas, to the rear of the council-owned town hall and the side of Settabello Italian restaurant on imperial Square opposite the Quadrangle, both granted planning permission and within a stone’s throw of 131.
And then there was the parking at the front of the parade of business fronts downstream from 131 and the signage.
“If this was Chelsea of in Belgravia these things would not be allowed,” he said, referencing the upmarket London districts. The clear message being that he thought the town should and could aim higher. If he felt he was being singled out for special treatment because of his status it was not apparent.
Instead, he is convinved 131 is and can continue to be a catalyst for something better - something special - and continue to compliment the festivals the town is so famous for.
The groundwork is certainly already there.
Luke Tarr, head of public relations for Star Sports, one of the UK’s leading independent bookmakers in the UK, was happy to step forward to give his take.
“If you read the racing books by people like (AP) McCoy and other jockeys - everyone, riders, jockeys, trainers, punters - would all head for The Queens during Festival week. That was where it happened.
“Today they come to 131. Whether they are £5 or £5,000 punters they come here. Interest in racing is worldwide, and people will come from all over the world for the racing – and they come to 131. It’s that important now,” said Tarr, who had driven up from Brighton to lend his support, so enthusiastic is he about the venue remaning.
As we talk pre-guided tour to Dunkerton about his business interests he stresses, probably for the ears of significant Superdry shareholders, that turning around the fortunes of the fashion business he started all those years ago remained 99 per cent of his focus.
But when he gets started on the Lucky Onion group, of which No. 131 is part, it’s apparent he’s involved in everything from the details of the plans we are there to discuss to the menu tastings and lives and breathes it.
Which one of the two schemes would he prefer – the decorative ironwork, I suggest?
“I think it probably was, but to be honest I like both and just want to be able to move forward now,” he said, laughing.
“When I used to drive past these buildings and see them run down and broken it used to break my heart. We invested £18 million to create a world class venue. We did it because we love Cheltenham.
“This is an incredibly important group of buildings for Cheltenham. We know that, and that’s part of the reason we did them up.
“We employ 130 here (at 131) and between my wife, Jade (founder of the Holland Cooper fashion label), and I we employ about 600 in the town, that’s not bad going. We are invested here,” said Dunkerton, who is also proud to say the business supports 13 local suppliers too.
“I love Cheltenham. My wife loves Cheltenham. I fell in love with it when I came here when I was 20. We intend to stay here,” he said.