A TASTY EXPANSION FOR CHELTENHAM-BORN SRI LANKAN RESTAURANT

One of the UK’s leading Sri Lankan restaurant chains, The Coconut Tree, has just opened its fifth restaurant within three years, thanks to the help of Gloucester-based Target Catering Equipment.

Since opening its first bar and kitchen in Cheltenham in 2016, the award-winning company has expanded to Oxford, Bristol and now a new venue in Cardiff, all of which have a state-of-the-art kitchen designed by Target.

The Coconut Tree belongs to five friends who first met at school just outside Colombo, Sri Lanka when they were 11.

When they moved to the UK to study, some ended up in Cheltenham. The others followed later.

The menu offers Sri Lankan street food and it can be difficult to get a table at

Tasty expansion for truffle business thanks to bank investment

A Gloucestershire truffle business has secured a six-figure finance package from HSBC UK to help meet growing international demand.

TruffleHunter, which is based at South Cerney near Cirencester, sells fresh truffles and truffle-based products to wholesalers and consumers online. It will use the cash injection from HSBC UK to broaden its global presence and supply products to major US retailers for the first time.

The funding has supported the installation of an automated truffle oil filing line and jar filing machines, as well as a new packaging storage unit to meet demand.

Nigel Whitehouse, the company’s Chief Executive, said: “The truffle market is experiencing an exciting phase of growth that we want to be part of.” peak times.

TruffleHunter was founded in 2007 by Nigel and his wife Omi Pears. Truffle fungi are difficult to cultivate, their tendrils extend under the ground and harvesting them requires trained dogs. Pigs were traditionally used but they kept eating the truffles.

Food critic Jay Rayner said in a review earlier this year: “The Coconut Tree manages that rare trick of being totally laid-back and completely on point at the same time. It also tells a terrific story about Sri Lanka; one that comes with a small bill to finish. That’s a perfect happy ending.”

Gloucestershire hotel unveils £1m plans for luxury spa

An historic Gloucestershire hotel is to build a luxury spa as part of a £1million investment plan.

The owners of the 17th century Stratton House Hotel in Cirencester have unveiled their plans after permission was approved for the new facility which will feature five treatment rooms, beauty suites, a steam room, sauna, juice bar and an outdoor jacuzzi.

Planned to open in early 2020, the spa will also provide ten new jobs. The 325 sq metre spa will be built in the north east corner of the hotel, overlooking its listed walled garden.