Laura Enfield

London

Journalist at Freelance

Senior Reporter at Punchline-Gloucester

Freelance Journo writing features for @wharflifelive in London and business news for @punchlineglos in Gloucestershire

Featured in: Favicon

inyourarea.co.uk Favicon

worcesternews.co.uk Favicon

guardian-series.co.uk Favicon

watfordobserver.co.uk Favicon

bucksfreepress.co.uk Favicon

surreycomet.co.uk Favicon

croydonguardian.co.uk Favicon

times-series.co.uk Favicon

wimbledonguardian.co.uk Favicon

asianimage.co.uk + 7 more

Articles

APPROVED: U-turn for Cheltenham development dubbed

1 week ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

A development of Cheltenham flats has gone from being dubbed the "worst in years" to gaining approval after a complete design overhaul. Plans submitted last year to demolish 86-90 Winchcombe Street and build 26 homes were slated by Cheltenham Civic Society and Historic England. They said the design did not respect the town's historic character or contributed positively to the Cheltenham Central Conservation Area.
KEEPING UP APPEARANCES: Makeover planned for Regent Arcade

1 week ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Upgrades at Regent Arcade are being planned to help it compete with other retailers. Bosses said the 40-year-old shopping centre has "suffered" in recent years due to the decline of customers. Plans have now been revealed to give the "subservient" High Street entrance a makeover so it is no longer overshadowed by its more modern neighbours. An application has been submitted to Cheltenham Borough Council to install new glazing frames with integrated LED lighting, seasonal banners and lighting.
EXCLUSIVE: Decision day for £1bn Elms Park development

2 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Decision day has been set for the massive 4,115-home Elms Park development on the outskirts of Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. Councillors from both areas are due to host two special meetings on May 29 to determine whether the £1billion scheme should be approved. The project has been more than a decade in the making with Bloor Homes and Persimmon Homes starting work in 2008 and submitting an outline application in 2016.
YUM: Rising drinks brand Knoops sets its sights on Cheltenham

2 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Chocolate drink specialist Knoops has its sights set on Cheltenham. The brand, which is on a rapid expansion path, wants to take over the former Costa Coffee branch on the Promenade. The prominent corner unit at number 24 has always been associated with beverages from beer to lattes but has sat empty since the chain shut up shop in 2024. Knoops now wants to revive it as a mecca for chocolate lovers.
Lavish house plans for The Daffodil revealed

2 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Detailed plans have been revealed for transforming Cheltenham's historic former cinema and restaurant The Daffodil into a home. They show a lavish five-bedroom property with accommodation for guests and staff, numerous en suits and terraces, a gym, cinema, sauna, games room and meditation room. The changes will mark the end of an era for the landmark Art Deco venue which attracted visitors from near and far for more than 100 years.
REVEALED: Superstore planned for Gloucester Docks

2 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

A new superstore is being planned for the heart of Gloucester Docks. Plans have been revealed to transform a vacant former warehouse into a grocery shop and cafe named name Llanthony Road Superstore. Developer Jaspac Developments Ltd said the pans would bring the historic but "underutilised" site back to its trading roots and bring "significant footfall" to the area.
BUILDING ON SUCCESS: Phase two of Cotswolds Designer Outlet brought forward

2 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Shopfitting has commenced at Cotswolds Designer Outlet and bosses now plan to push forward with the second phase earlier than planned. There are 46 brands confirmed for the shopping hub which is being built off J9 of the M5 in Tewkesbury. The latest to sign up are Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger and mean 98% of space is now spoken for ahead of phase one opening this summer. Bouygues UK is on site working on the £30million project on behalf of developer Robert Hitchins.
Gloucestershire County Council at risk of collapse from schools deficit

3 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) will face collapse if the Government does not take action to curb a spiralling education deficit. Years of underfunding by Whitehall means the local authority now has a cumulative gap of £76m in its Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) High Needs block. This is the money used to fund education for the 20,357 pupils and students in the county with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).
New finance chief for Gloucester

3 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Gloucester City Council has appointed a new boss to help balance its books and drive regeneration. Alison Turner has joined the corporate leadership team as head of finance and resources. She will be tasked with ensuring the council delivers services efficiently and achieves its goals including multi-million pound projects to rejuvenate the city and the complex task of devolution. Alison will also be the authority's designated chief financial officer, known as a section 151 officer.
Stroud shopping hub closed due to gas leak

3 weeks ago | punchline-gloucester.com | Laura Enfield

Emergency repairs to a gas leak will see a major route in Nailsworth closed until next month. Engineers are working to repair the broken pipe in George Road but the complexity means it will take until at least May 2. Motorists have been warned of delays while the road between the A46 roundabout and the entrance to Morrisons is shut. The road is home to numerous local shops and businesses which can still be accessed on foot.