Gloucestershire feed - South West Business

Cheltenham has a tasty new business - The Cotswold Deli

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Russell Giddard opens up The Cotswold Deli, stocking local food almost exclusively, at Cheltenham

Store closes at the end of year

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:00:00 GMT

THE Forest Fruits shop in Cinderford will close due to difficulties competing in the current climate.

Shop owner, Patrick Skelton, 60, will be shutting up shop for the final time in December and he cites the dominance of big chains as to why he is calling it a day.

"Bigger stores monopolised everything round here, places like that and they provide one stop shopping so people don't need to come to little places like mine" said Skelton who fears for the small shops in Cinderford.

"Unless you're a takeaway, a charity shop or an estate agents you haven't got much hope around here."

Skelton, who works at Messier-Dowty in Gloucester, said he had no option but to close down the business, "I feel sorry for my staff, they've been good girls.

"But on a Saturday lunchtime, when a place like this should be busiest, it's dead so what can I do?"

Forest Fruits will remain open for business until late December.

Business could be blooming at florist site

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:00:00 GMT

A landmark business in Leckhampton could be occupied as soon as next month after it was sold to be put on the market for development.

Gloucestershire butchers back supermarket beef boycott call

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 06:00:00 GMT

County butchers are backing a call for consumers to boycott supermarket beef.

The Gloucestershire Echo is moving from Clarence Parade to a new HQ

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

The Gloucestershire Echo is leaving its home in Clarence Parade, Cheltenham and switching to the town's St James' House.

Newspaper offices on the market for £2m

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:52:00 GMT

Gloucestershire Media, publisher of the Gloucestershire Echo, The Citizen, Stroud Life and The Forester, is moving from Clarence Parade in Cheltenham, to the town's St James' House in St James' Square.

Campaign to poach firms from Bristol

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:42:00 GMT

Businesses in Bristol are today being urged to relocate to Gloucestershire in an audacious dispute over car parking.

Comment: Newspaper editor welcomes bold advertising campaign

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:35:00 GMT

All's fair in love and war they say, and you could say that about Gloucestershire County Council's rather cheeky idea aimed at getting business to relocate to the county from Bristol, writes ian Mean, editor of Gloucester's daily newspaper The Citizen.

Here's to new coffee venture

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

AFTER spending two years working for Starbucks, Victoria Mylod was keen to set out on her own.

So when the 26-year-old noticed there wasn't a coffee shop in Hatherley, she saw a gap in the market.

With the help of family and friends, she has started up her own business.

The Coffee Cup Bake Shop is now up and running in Salisbury Avenue, Warden Hill.

Victoria said: "I used to work at Starbucks. It is so corporate.

"I wanted to be somewhere that had a more homely coffee shop kind of feel.

"I wanted somewhere in Hatherley because, coming from here, I realised there was nowhere to meet up with friends for a coffee, other than going to Morrisons or going to the Bath Road area.

"Ours is only a small place but it's quite cosy."

The former Bournside School pupil says all the cakes sold at her shop are homemade.

She is staging an official opening at the site tomorrow.

Is Gloucestershire going gadget crazy - one iPad fan thinks so

Tue, 31 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Technophile Steve Garratt, of the Giggle Group, explains why he loves his iPad.

Why apprenticeships are the way forward

Mon, 30 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

IT worked for Jamie Oliver, it worked for the real Dick Whittington and it worked for Leonardo da Vinci – so there is no reason why taking an apprenticeship should not work for today's school leaver who doesn't get into university.

At SWAC we are urging school leavers disappointed with their A-level grades to take a long hard look at the opportunities presented by an apprenticeship.

Apprenticeships can lead to very successful career paths and the range of opportunities and industries is incredibly wide.

Apprentices who have made it to the very top of their professions include chef Jamie Oliver, hairdresser John Frieda and fashion designer Alexander McQueen, all of whom honed their talents and skills while working from the ground up.

And of course there is no reason why you can't go on to take higher qualifications once you have completed your apprenticeship. An apprenticeship as a school classroom assistant, for instance, could lead to a full teaching qualification.

Apprenticeships can lead to jobs as diverse as aircraft cabin crew, fashion and textile designer, accountant, financial adviser, marketing and communications executive, laboratory technician, photographer and dental nurse – the list is almost endless.

So we would say to anyone who can't get on the degree course they had set their heart on – don't despair, there is life outside university and it can be a good life.

At SWAC we have a target to create 2,300 apprenticeships across the South West of England over the next five years, from the Isles of Scilly to the Forest of Dean, and would be happy to talk to anyone who wants to find out more.

SWAC is based on a successful Australian system and acts like a recruitment company that employs an apprentice directly. It provides a low risk opportunity to all employers who have in the past found it difficult to commit fully to an apprentice.

For those who want to take a more traditional route it might be worth considering the National Apprenticeship Service which also has some excellent opportunities.

You can have a look at our website at www.theswac.org.uk or have a look at the website of the National Apprenticeship Service at www.apprentice ships.org.uk for more information.

For further details, call SWAC, on 0800 334 5767, or visit www.theswac.org.uk.

Crab migration is in the hormones, say scientists

Sat, 28 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

West-based scientists have unravelled the key to one of the world's most spectacular and puzzling animal migrations.

Every year millions of Christmas Island red crabs embark on a five-kilometre breeding migration and now, Bristol scientists have discovered how.

The answer comes following a three-year project conducted by a team led by the late Professor Steve Morris from the University of Bristol's School of Biological Sciences with Professor Simon Webster from Bangor University.

They discovered hormonal changes play a significant role in enabling the crabs to make their journey.

Lucy Turner, a researcher at the University of Bristol, said: "During November or December, and prompted by the arrival of the monsoon rains, millions of the crabs undertake an arduous breeding migration from their home on the high rainforest plateau to the ocean to reproduce. This is a journey of several kilometres – a long way when you are a relatively small land crab (less than 20cm long).

Freak weather batters insurance firm

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

AN earthquake in Chile, freak hailstorms in Australia and the coldest winter in the UK for 30 years has seen profits plummet at one of Gloucestershire's biggest employers, Ecclesiastical.

Gravity-defying tricks to kick off skate park

Fri, 27 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

Trick-performing skateboarders and BMX riders will join a host of activities to officially launch Cheddar Skate Park.

After decades of waiting and five years of determined fundraising, Cheddar Local Action Team (LAT) believe users and the village finally have a skate park to be proud of.

To mark the success, they invite everyone to the park's official action-packed opening Skateboarding and BMX Jam at 12.20pm on Saturday, September 11.

The launch includes gravity-defying shows from Fifty Fifty and Crayon- sponsored teams, cash prize competitions and live music.

Bridges made in Lydney sent to Pakistan flood

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

10 bridges have been sent to Pakistan as part of the UK'S £64million aid effort.

Bison at a major tourist attraction are to be slaughtered following TB outbreak

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 07:00:00 GMT

Blow for tourist attraction.

Blaze garage to reopen after refurb

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

CHAXHILL garage is set to reopen tomorrow more than a year after it was burned to the ground.

The A48 petrol station is owned by Tony Lanciano, from Rodley.

It has been closed since a fire broke out in May 2009.

Tony said that as long as there were no last-minute hitches the garage would be back open for business on Friday.

Store reacts to farmers' fears over sky lanterns

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

BOSSES at Harry Tuffins Lydney and Coleford stores have pulled Chinese lanterns from their shelves after complaints by farmers.

Father and son Brian and Richard Baker have praised the chain for acting so swiftly.

The farmers run Close Turf Farm in St Briavels, which has been tinder dry all summer.

And after numerous lanterns landed on their land, they complained to the retailer which was selling them in their Lydney and Coleford stores for £1.

Richard does not believe that will be an end to the problem because there are so many shops selling the lanterns.

But he is impressed by how quickly the company, which opened two stores in the Forest earlier this year, reacted to his complaint.

"I phoned up the head office in Wales and asked to speak to the owner," he said.

"I told them the problem and within five minutes he got back to me to say he had pulled them from their shops.

"It is very responsible of them. I think it's because they are farmers themselves and understand the problem."

Farmers across the country have complained about the craze for paper sky lanterns, which they fear will start a fire, hurt animals or damage machines.

The Bakers say they have picked up about 20 or 30 from their land since last May and fear their sheep will get their heads caught in the metal frame.

They are also worried that the wire could jam machinery, but say fire is their major concern.

Manufacturers claim that because the lanterns act like hot air balloons, they only fall to the ground when the flame is out.

But farmers are not convinced by claims they are completely safe.

Brian said: "People let these things off without thinking of the environmental impact.

"If they are still alight when they land, they are a fire hazard. I am worried because the crops are ready to harvest and tinder dry and a few days ago one landed yards from the straw barn."

Richard Whittall from Harry Tuffins confirmed the retailer had stopped selling the lanterns after being contacted by the Bakers.

He said even if it was a "one in a million" chance of causing a fire, the company would rather not sell them.

"We don't want to make a big deal of it but, yes, as soon as they told us of their concerns, we removed them from the shelves," he said.

David's cock-a-hoop as turkey farm takes off

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

THE future of the Brewer family's farm in Rodley is assured with its expansion into the turkey rearing business.

Two massive sheds are being built at the 170-acre Gravel Farm to house 12,000 turkeys.

David Brewer, a fourth generation farmer, said the operation would be the first of its kind in the country due to its green credentials.

"I took over the farm from my parents," he said.

"I had to do contracting work to keep it financially viable but I always wanted to farm full time at home.

"This was a way of expanding without acquiring more land."

David said what made his turkey set-up unique was the method of ventilation which saves electricity.

"Usually these sheds are ventilated with fans which uses a lot of electricity," he said.

"Because we are by the river we can rely on the breeze so it will be naturally ventilated.

"Sensors and computers will monitor how much air goes through."

The sheds, which are 300ft long and 60ft wide, feature massive windows and skylights which ensure the birds have adequate light.

Feeding will be computer- controlled and will consist of concentrates for the early stages and a mix with whole wheat later.

The birds, which will all be males, come in at five weeks old and leave after 16 weeks.

David has negotiated a contract to supply the birds to poultry giant Cranberry Foods – the second largest producer of turkeys in the UK after Bernard Matthews.

The 40-year-old expects the first batch to be ready by Christmas.

"I was lucky in that I contacted Cranberry at a time when they were wanting to expand," he said. "They like this kind of set-up which is just two sheds on a small farm.

"Some operations can be very big with 10 to 15 sheds holding a similar number of birds in each."

David's turkeys will be ending up on the shelves of Cranberry's clients which include super- markets like ASDA and the Co-op.

The company also supplies meat to the Toby Carvery pub chain.

David is now looking forward to working on his own farm full-time.

"This is a new venture which I will manage on my own at first, but I may take someone on part-time later on," he said. "I think everyone likes to see a farmer do well in these times."

All change at town Triangle

Thu, 26 Aug 2010 06:00:00 GMT

IT'S a merry-go-round of change in Cinderford town centre.

Sharon Cinderey's Clothes Plus store has moved from its mini-roundabout position at Beresford Court to the Triangle. She has taken over half of the Scotts Shoes premises.

Jose Carlos who took over the former Woolworths store and opened Bom Dia more than a year ago is moving into Sharon's former shop. Meanwhile a question mark hangs over his old store.