Author | Lightnews

Dunkertons Cider reveals expansion plans

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The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Aug 4

Dunkertons Cider reveals expansion plans.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/dunkertons...
#Glosbiz | #Gloucestershire | #Cheltenham | #Growth | #Jobs

He barely has to blink and it becomes headline news. Superdry founder and Gloucestershire businessman Julian Dunkerton's popular food and drink destination reveals more expansion plans.

CEO reveals the secret ingredient to his progression and ambitious growth plans

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Jul 29

Dan Hodgson tells us why he was able to hit the ground running as CEO of Prima Healthcare, and why he believes turnover will increase by more than 50 per cent! And we celebrate Nimble Elearning's B Corp win & how WSP Solicitors found its new leader too!
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/ceo-reveal...

We talk to one of Gloucestershire’s newest CEOs about why he believes a £70m turnover is possible, how he’s readied himself for his role, and why people remain paramount in a business driven by tech.

What does Cheltenham think about the new owner of its most iconic hotel?

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Jul 24

Roundly welcomed, but behind the scenes the reception is not quite as you might expect.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/what-does-...

The new owner of one of Cheltenham’s most iconic buildings, The Queen’s Hotel, has revealed itself. Two of the town’s most influential business groups tell us what they think of the news.

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Jul 22

The lead story from our monday edition, no less! Also featured is news of a £24m new leisure centre creating 185 jobs, where 160 new homes will be built, a property seminar by Willans LLP, and one man's plans to commute to work on foot! All 75 miles of it!
@willansllp.bsky.social

£45m investment plans for deprived area of Gloucester kicked out by councillors

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Jul 3

One-in-a-lifetime scheme comes to nothing for one of Gloucester's most deprived areas.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/45m-invest...
#Gloucester | #Gloucestershire | #Planning | #Construction | @gloucesterchamber.bsky.social

Just how hard is it to reduce the housing waiting list? Very hard. After eight years in the planning a £45m investment plan for one of Gloucester’s most deprived areas was refused last night.

Speculation over the real future of Gloucestershire Airport is sky high

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The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Jul 1

You have to feel for the businesses on the airport and residents who live close by.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/speculatio...
#glosbiz | #gloucestershire | #businessnews

In an attempt to control the news around the sale of Gloucestershire Airport the drip, drip-drip has only fuelled speculation about its real future, with talk the deal will shortchange the county.

Gloucestershire revealed as "a driving force” in a fast-emerging £multi-billion UK sector

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The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · May 27

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.

Cheltenham reacts to luxury spa hotel plans for municipal offices

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · May 23

What do the people of #Cheltenham think to their Grad II* listed minicipal offices being turned into a hotel?

#hospitality | #InvestmentProperty | #hotels | #PropertyInvestment | #GLOUCESTERSHIRE

www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/cheltenham...

News has broken that the preferred bidder for Cheltenham's Grade II* municipal offices wants to turn the building into a luxury hotel and spa - but what do the town's businesses think about that?

Sharp increase in US firms looking to relocate to Gloucestershire

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The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · May 22

Tariffs might suggest Donal Trump has fallen our of love with Britian, but it appears may US firms are considering carrying out their commercial affairs right here in the UK.

From secondary school teacher to partner in a law firm

Reposted by The Raikes Journal

Andrew Merrell @andymerrell.bsky.social · Apr 30

Believe you need a well-mapped out career path from day one to succeed? Special thanks to Simon Pathé of Willans for revealing otherwise!
#Gloucestershire | @willansllp.bsky.social | #law | @prideinglos.org.uk | #Cheltenham
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/from-secon...

Career paths are not always straight forward. Simon Pathé’s certainly wasn’t. He was one of four new partners who chose to join law firm Willans of late, and he sat down with Raikes to explain why.

Cheltenham says ‘thank you’ for an incredible life-saving legacy

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Apr 26

An incredible story that speaks volumes for Cheltenham.
tinyurl.com/yxp7y4pp

#Gloucestershire | #business | #defibrillators | #Cheltenham

Eight years ago Cheltenham had no defibrillators - today it has 100 of the machines that can save lives by restarting a heart after a cardiac arrest, thanks to the drive of one woman.

This charity's technology can save your life

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Apr 25

Celebrating the work of an incredible Gloucestershire charity having an impact nationally!
#charity | #Gloucestershire | #stalking | #impact @glos-police.bsky.social

It is difficult to turn such a negative as stalking into a positive, but a Gloucestershire charity is giving real hope - and as National Stalking Awareness Week draws to a close we find out why.

The incredible legacy of an engineering genius

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Apr 15

A revolutionary supercar created by a legendary Gloucestershire engineer, that's smashing speed and lap records wherever it goes, has achieved what many thought impossible - it's driven upside down!

The Big Sleep Out and what it says about Gloucestershire

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Apr 1

Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Big Sleep Out to support the CCP.We ask why the charity continues to motivate so many.
#gloucestershire | #charity | #homeless | #community
tinyurl.com/ycx93kme

After businesspeople slept rough at Brickhampton Court Golf Complex for charity last week we thought we'd ask why, and does it really matter? It turns out it does. It matters a lot.

Gloucestershire loses major ally in its battle to be heard

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Mar 25

The Raikes Journal broke this story on Friday, but we can now run the official line from the Western Gateway on the funding cut that spells the end of this most powerful voice for Gloucestershire.

Go-ahead for ‘remarkable’ restaurant, wine tasting and events venue

Reposted by The Raikes Journal

Andrew Merrell @andymerrell.bsky.social · Mar 14

The owner of a #Gloucester business tells Raikes how he fell in love with an historic #ForestofDean farm and is coverting it into a vineyard, cidery, restaurant and events venue - and plans to open a #Cheltenham tapas and wine bar!
#gloucestershire | #wine
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/go-ahead-f...

Ambitious plans by a Gloucestershire businessman to transform a mediaeval farm beside a former Cistercian abbey into a vineyard and sophisticated visitor attraction will go ahead.

Tech charity sends out urgent request for support

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Mar 14

How you can help a quite brilliant Gloucestershire charity helping thousands in the county.

#gloucestershire | #charity | @gloucesterchamber.bsky.social | @cheltgreenparty.bsky.social | @willyyesaya01.bsky.social
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/tech-chari...

Our rush to embrace online has left millions isolated. With your help one charity can change that, but it is facing a desperate shortage of resource - something many simply throw away.

Discovering a £multi-million third-generation family business

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Mar 1

There's lots more in this edition too! Deals, cyber news, why The Bell in Cheltenham is celebrating - and why all eyes will be on 'Queensholm' on Sunday!

Andrew Merrell @andymerrell.bsky.social · Mar 1

The rebranding of a modest Cheltenham timber business caught a few people’s eyes recently, but you might not have realised you were looking at a £7m turnover third generation family firm.

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Feb 28

Brilliant! Wishing Gloucester-Hartpury all the very best against Bristol Bears in Sunday's play-off semi-final - at Queensholm!

@gloucesterrugby.bsky.social #rugby @uniofglos.bsky.social #Gloucester #rugby #bristol @gloucesterculture.bsky.social @gloucesterchamber.bsky.social

Superdry founder's plans for iconic Cheltenham hotel will create a 'Mayfair-Paris' vibe

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Feb 14

100 jobs saved as Gloucestershire town backs high profile plans for one of its premier venues!

www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/superdry-f...
#Cheltenham | #Gloucestershire | #business

It's been the talk of the town for months, but last night Julian Dunkerton, the founder of Superdry, won permission to create a new garden area at No 131 Promenade - saving 100 jobs.

Devolution: The battle to head off the break-up of Gloucestershire

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Jan 31

Is #Gloucestershire missing a trick by not listening to #Tewkesbury on #devolution?

#glosbiz @businesswest.bsky.social @uniofglos.bsky.social @cheltgreenparty.bsky.social @gloucesterchamber.bsky.social @tewkesburylibdems.bsky.social @tewkeslabour.bsky.social @tewksgreenparty.bsky.social

Tewkesbury has put itself front and centre in the wrangle over devolution gripping Gloucestershire, with leader Richard Stanley's vision of a united county and unitary authority fast-winning support.

Gloucestershire Airport: What Skyborne’s boss thinks of the decision to sell - and more

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Reposted by The Raikes Journal

Andrew Merrell @andymerrell.bsky.social · Jan 27

It looks like the potential sale of Gloucestershire Airport is impacting commercial decisions already.
tinyurl.com/mph9w24a
#Gloucestershire | #aviation | #business | #investment

The first of our 'Ones to Watch' series: Lee Woodward of Skyborne talks growth, 'significant plans' for 2025, the decision to sell Gloucestershire Airport and what he'd love its future to be.

Half a billion pound marketplace prepares to open its doors

The Raikes Journal @raikesjournal.bsky.social · Jan 27

Want you business to benefit from a potential £550m spend that could come Gloucestershire's way?
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/half-a-bil...
#gloucestershire | #business | #growth | #glosbiz

We flagged this in 2024, asking: ‘Want your business to benefit from half a billion pounds?'. That project, to help Gloucestershire’s biggest firms spend an extra £550m with its SMEs, is almost here.

£30m from Gloucestershire County Council's pension pot will help tackle housing crisis

Reposted by The Raikes Journal

Andrew Merrell @andymerrell.bsky.social · Jan 21

The latest edition of The Raikes Journal: an incredible act by the county's biggest employer to tackle homelessness | county rugby stars lead international sides | Ecclesiastical's determination give millions to good causes | a £50m Gloucester development | diary dates and more!
tinyurl.com/2bs3jfpx

Want to see an ethical investment actually changing the lives of hundreds of people? Look no further than Gloucestershire’s biggest employer's pension fund. It’s about to do something remarkable.