Andrew Merrell
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andymerrell.bsky.social
Andrew Merrell
@andymerrell.bsky.social
69 followers 230 following 18 posts
Andrew Merrell is a journalist and editor of Gloucestershire-focused digital magazine The Raikes Journal (www.raikesjournal.co.uk) which runs off https://substack.com/home. Contact him on 07956 926061 or andrew.merrell@raikesjournal.co.u
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andymerrell.bsky.social
A meeting takes place behind closed doors today about the sale of a public asset for £25m-plus.
raikesjournal.co.uk/p/two-critic...
October 8, 2025 at 9:04 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
Could the deal to sell Gloucestershire Airport be about to cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds? How businesses feel about the sale of the Staverton site...
tinyurl.com/29jdpk3x
#glosbiz #gloucestershire #business
Airport deal could sell Gloucestershire short, warns business
Could the deal to sell Gloucestershire Airport, hailed as a saviour of its future and the businesses on it, be about to deliver the opposite - and cost the taxpayer hundreds of millions of pounds?
tinyurl.com
September 2, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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...
CEO reveals the secret ingredient to his progression and ambitious growth plans
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
July 29, 2025 at 9:34 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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
July 22, 2025 at 9:31 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
This business has just been crowned the very best in the UK and an example of British business at its best - and it's based right here in #Gloucestershire!
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/government...
@raikesjournal.bsky.social | #business | #glosbiz
Government crowns Gloucestershire firm the best in the UK
A Gloucestershire business has been singled out for praise by the Government as the very best in the UK - as a quite simply exceptional exporter. And it’s not in a sector you might think of either!
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
July 22, 2025 at 9:24 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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
£45m investment plans for deprived area of Gloucester kicked out by councillors
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
July 3, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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
Speculation over the real future of Gloucestershire Airport is sky high
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
July 1, 2025 at 11:27 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
The lead story on Friday's edition of The Raikes Journal CIC, the digital magazine for #Gloucestershire covering business, charity, education and training.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/gloucester...
#business | #charity | @fao.org | #agritech | #agriculture | #innovation | #news | #glosbiz
Gloucestershire revealed as "a driving force” in a fast-emerging £multi-billion UK sector
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
May 27, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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...
Cheltenham reacts to luxury spa hotel plans for municipal offices
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?
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
May 23, 2025 at 9:03 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
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...
From secondary school teacher to partner in a law firm
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
April 30, 2025 at 9:19 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
An incredible story that speaks volumes for Cheltenham.
tinyurl.com/yxp7y4pp

#Gloucestershire | #business | #defibrillators | #Cheltenham
Cheltenham says ‘thank you’ for an incredible life-saving legacy
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.
tinyurl.com
April 26, 2025 at 9:56 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
A priviledge to be able to interview Jane Harvey from the Hollie Gazzard Trust for the latest edition of The Raikes Journal (the email newsletter covering business, 3rd sector, education and training news for Gloucestershire)
April 25, 2025 at 9:12 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
Congratulations to everyone who took part in the Big Sleep Out to support the CCP. Raikes asks why the charity continues to motivate so many.
#gloucestershire | #charity | #homeless | #community.
tinyurl.com/ycx93kme
The Big Sleep Out and what it says about Gloucestershire
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.
tinyurl.com
April 1, 2025 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
As Gloucestershire enters a significant period, who will talk up for it now? Welcome to Monday's edition!
tinyurl.com/vz5tkzeb | #Gloucestershire | #BusinessNews | @gloucesterchamber.bsky.social | #glosbiz | @businesswest.bsky.social
Gloucestershire loses major ally in its battle to be heard
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.
tinyurl.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:07 PM
andymerrell.bsky.social
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...
Go-ahead for ‘remarkable’ restaurant, wine tasting and events venue
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
March 14, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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...
Tech charity sends out urgent request for support
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
March 14, 2025 at 8:32 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
Friday's edition of the digital magazine for #Gloucestershire, The Raikes Journal, reveals a third generation family firm turning over £7m - with plenty to celebrate!

#glosbiz | #business | #businessnews | #independentnews | @fsb-uk.bsky.social | @davidowen1.bsky.social | @uniofglos.bsky.social
Discovering a £multi-million third-generation family business
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
March 1, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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
Gloucester-Hartpury Rugby at Queensholm
February 28, 2025 at 8:43 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
This will be going everywhere today. @raikesjournal.bsky.social brings you the report in full below.

www.raikesjournal.co.uk/p/superdry-f...
#glosbiz
Superdry founder's plans for iconic Cheltenham hotel will create a 'Mayfair-Paris' vibe
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
February 14, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
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
Devolution: The battle to head off the break-up of Gloucestershire
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.
www.raikesjournal.co.uk
January 31, 2025 at 10:41 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
It looks like the potential sale of Gloucestershire Airport is impacting commercial decisions already.
tinyurl.com/mph9w24a
#Gloucestershire | #aviation | #business | #investment
Gloucestershire Airport: What Skyborne’s boss thinks of the decision to sell - and more
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.
tinyurl.com
January 27, 2025 at 10:50 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
Wishing those behind ths project all the very best. The potential is enormous!
January 27, 2025 at 9:12 AM
andymerrell.bsky.social
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
£30m from Gloucestershire County Council's pension pot will help tackle housing crisis
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.
tinyurl.com
January 21, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Reposted by Andrew Merrell
raikesjournal.bsky.social
A link to Friday's edition of Raikes. A lot of people have been pondering this one. We thought we'd ask the question...
tinyurl.com/257accyd

#cyber | #gloucestershire | #business | @goldenvalley.bsky.social | #construction | #development
What devolution means for the £1 blln Golden Valley Development
Hailed as a 'once in a lifetime building project', the Golden Valley Development has the power to crown Gloucestershire as the UK's cyber capital. Or is devolution about to get in the way of all that?
tinyurl.com
January 18, 2025 at 1:33 PM
andymerrell.bsky.social
Devolution in #Gloucestershire. After last week's political 'debate' what business in the county thinks of it all so far...
tinyurl.com/45k4pa8u
@gloucesterchamber.bsky.social | #business | #devolution | #politics | @raikesjournal.bsky.social
Devolution: 'Do better’, business community tells politicians
In the wake of last week's very public row over how devolution should be handled in the Gloucestershire, its business community tells the county’s political movers and shakers to ‘get on with it’.
tinyurl.com
January 14, 2025 at 1:12 PM