Gloucestershire is home to a rich tapestry of independent businesses, family-run firms and cultural institutions – many of which have been part of the county's story for decades.
In 2025, nine standout companies are marking key anniversaries, from local legends like Winstones Cotswold Ice Cream turning 100 to Cheltenham's DEYA Brewing Company toasting 10 trailblazing years.
SoGlos shines a spotlight on the businesses celebrating landmark birthdays and reflects on the accomplishments that have helped get them there.
Hewer
Celebrating 60 years in 2025
Established in 1965 by founder David J Hewer, Hewer started as just a one-man operation, with David growing the heating, plumbing and facilities management services business from his garden shed.
Six decades on, Hewer is turning over more than £20 million, with the firm being led by David's son Simon. Always looking to innovate and evolve, the company's latest achievements include developing cutting-edge heating technology that saves thousands of pounds on heat pump installations, hiring its first marketing manager as part of its growth strategy and winning the Change Management and Innovation Award at the 2025 Circle 2 Success Regional Business Awards.
The Roses Theatre
Celebrating 50 years in 2025
Since opening in 1975, The Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury has been a staple in performing arts, playing host to everyone from young dramatic hopefuls to famous comedy stars, including Joel Dommett, Tom Allen and a Bill Bailey residency – not forgetting its annual pantomimes.
To celebrate its 50th birthday in 2025, The Roses is holding a series of memory-sharing exhibitions, including the opportunity to see the blazer from Eric Morecombe's final performance. It also hired a brand-new CEO in May and sponsored the Charity of the Year category at this year's SoGlos Gloucestershire Lifestyle Awards.
Freemans Event Partners
Celebrating 50 years in 2025
One of the Top 100 Businesses in Gloucestershire, Freemans Event Partners is celebrating 50 years of bringing food, drinks and consumables to major events worldwide.
Founded in 1975, the catering and logistics heavyweight has worked at events including The British Grand Prix, the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2023 Ryder Cup and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Cheltenham Festivals
Celebrating 80 years in 2025
Since launching in 1945 with the first ever Cheltenham Music Festival, Cheltenham Festivals has transformed the Regency town into a hotspot for cultural events, attracting thousands of tourists and locals every year for its four major events – celebrating literature, music, jazz and science.
The charitable organisation is marking eight decades of arts programming in 2025 – with Dame Judi Dench, no less, passing on birthday wishes – and the celebrations continue after audience numbers at its music festival reportedly doubled in its anniversary year, too.
E G Carter & Co
Celebrating 80 years in 2025
A family-run staple of Gloucestershire's construction industry, E G Carter & Co is marking 80 years of trading in 2025 – celebrating the milestone with Carter Day in June, bringing its entire workforce together with food, sports games and fairground rides.
Past projects include a number of affordable housing schemes across Gloucestershire and the south west; the building of new primary schools, leisure centres and manufacturing facilities; and the renovation and refurbishments of doctors surgeries and golf clubs.
Winstones Cotswold Ice Cream
Celebrating 100 years in 2025
Founded in 1925, Winstones Cotswold Ice Cream is steeped in history, with four generations making it the success it still is in 2025.
Still based at its original site 'with nothing more than a stove and a handbell', the company has featured on BBC Two with the Hairy Bikers and is celebrating its 100th birthday with the release of its own book and a brand-new flavour.
Uley Brewery
Celebrating 40 years in 2025
Brewing a new 'special' beer every month in 2025 from March, Uley Brewery is marking 40 years of smooth sipping.
Based in Dursley, the first Uley pint was poured in 1985 at The Red Lion in Arlingham, after being lovingly processed by head brewer, Ken Lush – with pure Cotswold spring water regarded as 'the most important ingredient' in its beers.
Abbey Jewellers
Celebrating 40 years in 2025
A proud independent business still holding space on the Tewkesbury high street, Abbey Jewellers has been trading from its 500-year-old, Grade II-listed building for 40 years in 2025.
Showcasing a variety of both new and second-hand jewellery, the business, run by Steve Yost since 1985, specialises in gold, silver, cultured pearls, rotary watches and more – and is a member of The National Association of Jewellers, a body recognising the highest standards within the jewellery industry.
DEYA Brewing Company
Celebrating 10 years in 2025
Guaranteed to throw a 10th birthday party to remember, Cheltenham's DEYA Brewing Company marks a decade of disrupting the ale markets in 2025.
Most recently, it's been revealed to be on the list of brands being served at the new Japanese listening bar, Parler, but its list of achievements goes on to include opening its second venue, The Swamp, in August 2024; its signature pale ale, Steady Rolling Man was named the best beer in the UK in July 2024; and it took home the Food and Drink Producer of the Year award at the 2025 SGGLAs, too.
