David Wood

2 days ago | punchline-gloucester.com | David Wood

Private sector companies across the South West signalled a slower increase in activity in April, according to the latest NatWest Growth Tracker survey data. The headline South West Business Activity Index - a seasonally adjusted index that measures the month-on-month change in the combined output of the region's manufacturing and service sectors - slipped from a five-month high of 54.0 in March to 51.9 in April.

2 days ago | punchline-gloucester.com | David Wood

Gloucester Cathedral recently celebrated its American connections in the presence of Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester at a special Choral Evensong sung by the Cathedral Choir. The service gave thanks for John Stafford Smith, composer of the music for The Star-Spangled Banner, the American national anthem, who was baptised in Gloucester Cathedral in 1750. This year marks the 275th anniversary of his baptism.

2 days ago | punchline-gloucester.com | David Wood

Wickes has hailed a "strong start" to the year with overall sales up by nearly 7%. The DIY and home improvement company has branches in Gloucester, Cheltenham and Cirencester. Overall group sales at the chain were up 6.9% year on year to £533.1m for the 17 weeks to April 26. Retail revenues increased 9.6% to £396.7m over the period, which Wickes said demonstrated the continued success of its "great value and service-led proposition".

2 days ago | punchline-gloucester.com | David Wood

Versarien plc, the advanced materials engineering group, has raised £425,000 (before expenses) by way of a placing of 1,545,454,545 new ordinary shares in the capital of the company at a price of 0.0275 pence per share. The placing uses the company's authority to issue shares for cash granted at the general meeting held on March 23, 2025.

2 days ago | punchline-gloucester.com | David Wood

Lucozade producer Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has invested £6.3 million in a major packaging redesign for Lucozade Energy bottles, significantly reducing plastic use and supporting the efficient recycling of its bottles. Lucozade Energy bottles will now feature a half sleeve that covers just 50% of the bottle height compared to previous full-length sleeves. This results in a 60% reduction in the total sleeve weight, removing 956 tonnes of new plastic per year.