Location is everything
Regency Cheltenham; the Cotswolds; the Forest of Dean; Gloucester (with its Norman cathedral and regeneration plans for its Victorian docks); Stroud; and Tewkesbury with its glorious Abbey and historic buildings. Gloucestershire has it all; that’s why, each year, visitors from the UK and overseas come to enjoy the county’s idyllic surroundings.
Opportunities for growth
Naturally, Gloucestershire offers many opportunities for investors across all sectors and industries. With the current redevelopment plans of the Gloucester Heritage Urban Regeneration Company (the UK’s only heritage URC), Gloucester City itself is an active focal point for development. What could be more exciting than Gloucester’s exciting waterside living and contemporary amenities? And all based in a character-rich historic setting within minutes’ drive of some of England’s loveliest countryside.
With the University of Gloucestershire’s planned £40m investment in a new art, media and communications campus in the heart of Blackfriars, creative, retail and leisure investors in Gloucester will find plenty of opportunities for adding to the vibrant buzz of this ancient Roman City.
The best regional shopping
The recent completion of Cheltenham’s retail and leisure-based Brewery site is one of the big success stories for Cheltenham in recent years. With its multiplex cinema, stylish restaurants and lifestyle retailers, the Brewery complements the town’s reputation as the best shopping destination between Bristol and Birmingham.
Educational institutions offering creative and digital-related training
INVESTOR/ATTRACTION PROFILES
Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham, the jewel in jump racing's crown, hosts the best jumping action in the world from 350 spectacular acres set below the beautiful Cotswold escarpment. As well as hosting fixtures throughout the year, the world famous Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place here each March – combining the intensity of horse racing at its best with a superb festive atmosphere. During the four-day festival (an extra day was recently added), 230,000 people typically wager more than £500m on 25 races – and spend a fortune on accommodation and entertainment in the county.
Gloucester Docks
Gloucester’s Victorian Docks, further from the sea than any others in Britain, were once filled with ocean-going ships. No longer a busy shipping and merchant centre, the docks are now the focus of intensive regeneration as heritage meets new waterside accommodation, restaurants, antique shops and museums. Dragon-boat racing, the annual Rhythm and Blues Festival, and firework spectaculars, are just some of the entertainments you can experience in the city.
Out of the Hat
Out of the hat is an innovative new heritage centre in Tewkesbury, a unique visitor attraction set in a wonderful fifteenth century former hat shop. The ground floor of the three-storey building houses a friendly visitor centre; above this, there’s a stunning heritage area with interactive exhibitions where visitors can explore Tewkesbury’s long and fascinating history through a multimedia experience.
Rococo Gardens
Situated outside the beautiful Cotswold town of Painswick, and famous for its snowdrop display, the Rococo Garden takes visitors back to a flamboyant and sensual period of English garden design. This gem of a garden, originally laid out in the early eighteenth century, is set in a hidden Cotswold valley with magnificent views of the surrounding countryside.
Daylesford Organics
An award-winning farm shop and café deep in the Cotswolds, Daylesford Organics is renowned nationally for its fine organic foods, gifts and hampers. Using traditional methods in its bakery, creamery, abattoir and kitchens, Daylesford is the place in the Cotswolds to buy fresh produce.
Go Ape
A relative newcomer to Gloucestershire, Go Ape is an award-winning high-wire forest adventure course of rope bridges, ‘Tarzan’ swings and zip slides at heights of up to 40 feet among the trees. Set in the beautiful surroundings of the Royal Forest of Dean, Go Ape is just one of the many activities and adventures you will find to challenge you in this stunning part of the county.
Seeking further advice and information?
Contact the Invest in Gloucestershire Team
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