The multi-million-pound firm investing in Gloucester
One of the UK’s biggest real estate success stories, and a key catalyst for the regeneration of Gloucester, is about to invest still more in the city. Paul Carter, from Peel L&P, explains why.
Dear Readers,
We hope you had a great weekend.
We wanted to start the week by saying a massive ‘thank you’ to everyone for your ongoing support of Raikes, and of what we are trying to do - to bring the county a digital magazine built on journalism and dedicated to supporting its businesses, charities, volunteer groups and those involved in education and training.
It’s been quite a journey so far, and the support of everyone and their interest in helping us make this community interest company a sustainable resource for the county has been incredible.
If you saw last Monday’s edition you will have seen our story on the return of the Believe in Gloucester Awards, but what you might not know is that we are very proud to have partnered with Gloucester BID to bring you coverage of that event. That’s just one example of the kind of support we are talking about. So we would like to say a very special ‘thank you’ to the BID too, the organisation that represents businesses in the city centre.
Today we’ve parked our usual format of a longer read to bring you two awards-related stories. Both are well-worth celebrating and the deadline to enter or nominate in both is fast-approaching. You can read more about those below.
Please do send us your story ideas to andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk. Or telephone 07956 926061.
Our chosen charity - offering schools cash to go outdoors and explore
We’ve introduced you to this county charity before, one of the perculiar few that actually gives funds out to communities. This is the Ernest Cook Trust, which has just opened the doors to its Outdoor Essentials Grant to help children experience the outdoors. Qualifying primary and special schools can apply for £500, with £1,000 available for secondary schools. Priority is given to schools located in areas of high deprivation and/or with pupils living in challenging circumstances, as well as to schools which regard outdoor learning and environmental engagement as an important part of education. The Ernest Cook Trust is a UK-wide educational charity which creates outdoor learning experiences for children, young people and their families, on its own estates and with partner estates across the country. Find out more here.
* 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 all our wonderful paying subscribers. If you upgrade to paid too, you’ll be able to see beyond the paywalls we place on many of our second and third email editions of the week and that lock our archive after two weeks. You will be able to view our rolling Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire series, comment on our stories and you’ll be helping to make possible this community interest company dedicated to supporting the county, its businesses, charities and education and training providers — all for just £2.30 per week!! For commercial opportunities visit our About us page or email andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.uk.
Your Monday briefing notes
🏳️🌈 Saturday saw the annual Pride in Cheltenham celebrations take to the streets carnival style, culminating in a party in the sun in Imperial Gardens. There was entertainment, courtesy of headline act Angie Brown and RuPaul’s Drag Race Queen Copper Topp, street food and even a dog show! All of which was made possible by proud headline sponsors Willans LLP and sponsorship from St James’s Place, Spirax Sarco, Stagecoach, National Star, Gloucestershire County Council, Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham Borough Council and PRS for Music. Next up, pride in Cirencester in June, Tetbury and Cinderford in July, Tewkesbury in August and the biggie - Pride in Gloucestershire, in September. Find out more here.
🗺️ Just in case you missed Friday’s late edition of Raikes. We focused on the new Gloucestershire Strategic Plan, agreed last week by the county council. Why? It’s the business plan/roadmap for the county’s economy for the next 10 years and on its own makes for interesting reading (albeit 70 pages long!). But it is also the first such plan since the council absorbed the powers of GFirst LEP, the independent business group which has led on such things for more than a decade. Crucial to its succeeding is keeping the business community on board. Which is why we asked it what it thought. One factor it did underline as paramount was leadership. You can read it here.
🏘️Today (20 May) The Gloucestershire Property Forum assembled a heavyweight panel to discuss a heavyweight topic – the UK housing crisis. Christopher Young KC, of No. 5 Chambers, and renowned housing expert, Kate Davies, CBE, took part in the discussion, which was being made possible by sponsors Willans LLP, CGT Lettings and SF Planning. Other panel members included, Simon Firkins, of SF Planning, and Nick Devonport, of CGT Lettings - with David Jones of Evans Jones chairing. Alison Rush, strategic lead for Shelter in Bristol gave a short introduction to the charity. Why are we telling you this now? Raikes will be there to report on it all and will run a report on its later this week.
Deadlines looms to enter Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024
Firms involved in manufacturing in Cirencester - indeed all firms - are still able to enter this year’s business awards staged by the town’s chamber of commerce, but time is running out.
By Andrew Merrell
If ever a business event reminds us just how diverse and inspiring companies that make things can be – and how exciting firms are achieving success doing just that right here in the Cotswolds – then it is these awards.
We are talking about the Cirencester Chamber of Commerce Business Awards 2024, which are due to take place again this July, and which are still inviting entries - not least in its manufacturing category.
The event will showcase businesses, organisations and individuals from the GL7 post code area at an awards ceremony at the Royal Agricultural University.
Howard Smith is the founder of specialist small business accountant the numbercrunchers, which is headquartered on London Road, Cirencester, and is this year’s sponsor of the manufacturing category.
Smith, the firm’s managing director, said: “We, at the numbercrunchers, have sponsored the awards for over five years now and could not be more delighted to be sponsoring this year’s Manufacturer of the Year Award.
“This category is for the absolute ‘doers’ of our community. Their product is their passion and uniqueness, they live to do what they do and make our town great and distinct; we absolutely celebrate that in all its forms.
“Whether you are making cakes, crafts, furniture, cosmetics, components or anything else it is all here right in our GL7 postcode and we encourage you to enter, showcase and celebrate with us our remarkable local manufacturing businesses.”
Marc Begg (pictured above) knows a thing of two about what it is like to enter this very award. His business, Cirencester Fabrication Services, walked away winners of the category in 2023, with Black Jack Street-based ANI Skincare a close second. The sponsor then was Watermoor Point Fluid Workspace.
Begg, the founder and managing director of the Love Lane Industrial Estate based business, said: “Being voted as Manufacturer of the Year in 2023 was a great honour to our company and validation of the hard work, and dedication to customer quality, across the entire CFS team.
“This accolade not only boosts our reputation within the local business community, but motivates our team to continually push for excellence across all aspects of our manufacturing operations.”
Entries are invited from businesses of any size that are involved in the design and production of goods for retail or wholesale or the manufacture of component parts of another product.
Judges will be looking for evidence of recent improvements in business performance, efficiency of operations, profitability and/or customer responsiveness and what differentiates you from your competitors and gives you the leading edge.
In total there are 10 categories at this year’s showcase event - as well as the headline Business of the Year Award – which is sponsored by headline partner Redkite Solicitors.
Other categories include Apprentice of the Year - sponsored by McGills Chartered Accountants, Medium/Large Organisation of the Year - sponsored by Fortem IT, Team of the Year - sponsored by Siddington Park, Ethical Business of the Year - sponsored by the Bathurst Estate, and Self-employed/Freelancer of the Year - sponsored by Cirencester College. And more!
This year’s awards night will take place on Friday 5 July at the Royal Agricultural University’s Boutflour Hall. The evening will start with welcome drinks at 7pm and the awards ceremony will be hosted once again by Vernon Harwood.
You can find out more about the event and how to enter right here. Be quick though, the deadline for entry is until Friday May 24!
The multi-million-pound firm investing in Gloucester
One of the UK’s biggest real estate success stories, and a key catalyst for the regeneration of Gloucester, is about to invest still more in the city. Paul Carter, from Peel L&P, explains why.
By Andrew Merrell
If you read Raikes regularly you may have seen our article last week in which we reminded everyone of British billionaire John Whittaker’s words from the early 2000s when he was asked why on earth his business, Peel Group, wanted to invest in creating Gloucester Quays.
Whittaker’s reply was simple.
“I believe in Gloucester,” he said.
Gloucester Quays opened in 2009 following an investment of £248 million investment by Peel, and the firm has been here ever since to ensure the business it created has been a success.
And those words have resonated ever since too, giving birth to the Believe in Gloucester Awards, which Gloucester BID is bringing back this year for the first time since 2019 – and which are being made possible by Peel Group, co-headline sponsor alongside WSP Solicitors.
We asked Paul Carter, asset director for Peel L&P which manages Gloucester Quays, why Peel still wanted to get involved, raise the city’s flag high – and celebrate achievement.
“The launch of Gloucester Quays in 2009 marked not only a moment of investment from Peel, but the beginning of a long-standing commitment to and significant vote of confidence in the city,” said Carter.
“Fifteen years on, the impact of this dedication can be seen in Gloucester Quays’ position as a top 10 UK outlet, in the jobs created, and the investment brought to Gloucester.”
In April this year Peel Retail & Leisure has announced another record period of sales and footfall performance at Gloucester Quays, up 11 per cent and seven per cent respectively.
Carter added: “At its inception, many commentators felt the outlet wasn’t needed, but Gloucester Quays has continue to perform, demonstrating its standing as a dominant retail and leisure hub through consistent growth, record performance, and a host of international powerhouse brands.
“As the outlet celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, we’re extremely proud of the journey the destination has taken, and are excited about what the future holds, as we truly ‘Believe in Gloucester’.”
There are 15 different categories available for nominations, with the latest sponsor coming on board only last week – the magazine The Local Answer.
Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by the University of Gloucestershire
Young Ambassador of the Year, sponsored by King’s School
Business of the Year, sponsored by WSP Solicitors
Small Business of the Year, sponsored by Davies & Partners Solicitors
New Business of the Year, sponsored by Kara Hair & Beauty
Hair and Beauty Business of the Year, sponsored by The Local Answer
Food Business of the Year, sponsored by Gloucester Food Dock
Retailer of the Year, sponsored by Gloucester Quays
Bar or Pub of the Year, sponsored by Gloucester City Safe
Best Customer Service Award, sponsored by insurance firm Cass Stephens Insurance Ltd
Sustainability Award, sponsored by King’s Walk Gloucester
Heritage/Regeneration Award, sponsored by Gloucester City Council
Community Project/Organisation of the Year, sponsored by Gloucestershire County Council
Event of the Year, sponsored by security business GMS Group
Charity of the Year, sponsored by Eastgate Shopping Centre
Nominations close on May 31. Judges will meet in July to shortlist, voting for the finalists will be open in August and September with the awards night itself due to take place on 20 November 2024.
You can find out more, and about how to enter the awards, right here.