Xmas Space

Gloucestershire businesses band together to raise money for charity

Small business owners from across Gloucestershire have joined forces to host an independent Christmas shopping experience in aid of a local hospice.

A host of street food vendors, bakeries and handmade gift creators will join other Cheltenham and Gloucester businesses to host Christmas at Space – a festive get together to raise money for Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice – at Space Business Centre Gloucester next month.

The site in Olympus Park, Quedgeley, is home to more than 50 independent businesses, with tenants set to be joined by residents of its sister site Cheltenham Space Business Centre, as well as guest businesses from across the region on Sunday, December 4 from 10am to 2pm.

In addition to a range of festive goodies on offer to the public, from personalised art and unique homeware to mouth-watering BBQ and baked goods and collectible models, Space Business Centres has teamed up with Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice to a host a charity raffle with a range of prizes available.

Space resident James Brown, of JB event hire, is a long-term supporter of the charity. He said: “It’s brilliant that the Space family and other local traders have come together to raise money for such an important local charity whist showcasing all of the great products and services they have to offer.

“It will be a very special event and one that I hope will continue over the years to come. We are really looking forward to this Christmas event and hope to see you all there.”

Alysia Cameron-Price, Community Fundraising Manager at Sue Ryder Leckhampton Court Hospice, said: “A visit to the Space event is a great way to kick-start the festive season and tick off some Christmas gifts from your list, all while raising vital funds for families needing our care.

“It’s an honour to see so many local businesses join forces to support us and we hope that the community will get behind them.”

Space Business Centres Gloucester and Cheltenham are owned by property development company AC Lloyd and offer flexible, multi-use units ranging from 275 to 775 sq ft. Their 30-day licences are designed to support new businesses that have outgrown the kitchen table.

Lucy Iles, site manager at Space Gloucester and Cheltenham, said: “We are incredibly excited to be hosting our inaugural Christmas at Space.

“It’s a great chance for visitors to find out more about the incredible businesses that make up the Space family, as well as pick up some Christmas gifts and try some fantastic food.

“We hope that we will not only have a brilliant turn out in support of local small businesses, but also raise funds for Sue Ryder through our Christmas raffle, and we’d love to hear from guest businesses interested in joining us on the day.”