During the First World War the local firm of wood, stone, plaster and metal workers, H H Martyn & Co, began producing aircraft components and established the Gloucestershire (later Gloster) Aircraft Company as a subsidiary. In 1931, an engineer, George Dowty set up his own business to manufacture 6 internally sprung wheels for Kawasaki Company of Japan. By 1939 his new company employed 3000 people in the production of aircraft components. Several similar companies in Cheltenham opened during the 1930s and 1940s, including Rotol Propellers, the aircraft division of Smith’s Industries, and the Spirax Manufacturing Company. By the 1940s the town’s economy had diversified still further to include pharmaceutical products and foodstuffs.
Since the 1930s Cheltenham continued to prosper and its population doubled since 1921. In addition to light industry, many offices relocated to the town including the Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ), The Universities Central Admissions Service (UCAS), and Rural England.
Tourism has played an increasingly important part in the town’s life. Its cultural facilities and festivals of arts, racing and cricket all attracting many visitors to the town. As does its long-standing reputation of the ‘Garden Town of England’. Much has also been done to restore and conserve its Regency and Victorian buildings, meaning the centre of Cheltenham is believed to be the largest Conservation Areas in Europe.
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