CHELTENHAM’S BIGGEST INFLATABLE SHRIVELS TO MAKE WAY FOR £7M CLIMBING PARK

The white domes of Bentham at Leckhampton near Cheltenham have been visible from miles around for years. But they have now been deflated to make way for the development of the UK’s first dedicated climbing park.

The removal of the domes is the first phase in the creation of a new £7 million climbing centre and sports activity park on the site.

The project will see the redevelopment of the former Bentham Country Club, situated between Cheltenham and Gloucester on the edge of the Cotswolds, into one of the best climbing facilities in the country. Once complete, the climbing park will offer a range of outdoor activities, plus a dynamic indoor facility for elite climbers as well as providing a new attraction for novices, families, clubs, schools and colleges. Major construction work is due to begin shortly with a phased opening planned for later in the year.

The company appointed to build the new centre is Banbury-based The Hawkins Group.

Gloucestershire Airport £8m upgrade begins

Construction and engineering company VolkerFitzpatrick is carrying out a major upgrade work on Gloucestershire Airport, which includes resurfacing two of the runways. There will also be new runway lighting and upgrades to signage and drainage, as well as the installation of below-ground infrastructure in readiness for a new radar system.

One of the airport’s three runways will remain open while works are carried out, operating at reduced capacity. When all work is complete, the airport’s existing

‘north/south’ runway will permanently close to make way for the development of the new business park, CGX Connect.

Karen Taylor, Gloucestershire Airport Managing Director, said: “These are transformational times for Gloucestershire Airport.

“These upgrades are essential to the continued smooth running of operations and, along with CGX Connect, will really elevate the quality and status of the airport.”

Leighton Humphreys, CEO at PillTime