George designer on Cotswolds life

Mark Cummings got some fashion advice from George Davies

One of Gloucestershire's most successful businessmen is about to launch yet another major high street fashion brand.

George Davies, who lives and works in the Cotswolds, is the designer who founded Next, and created Asda's George and M&S's Per Una ranges.

BBC Radio Gloucestershire's Mark Cummings was invited to look round George Davies' workshop and studio near to Moreton-in-Marsh.

He explained why he chose to settle and work here in Gloucestershire: "I work from this area because I've always needed space.

"I was born on the edge of the Mersey up in Southport and I thought if I'm not going to live by the sea I'll always need space.

"I've never lived in a city and I have to say that despite the travels I do - twenty different countries - I come back here and there's nothing like this part of the world."

Now he's about to open several new 'GIVe' (which stands for George IV) womenswear stores, which are aimed at females over the age of 30.

The first of the new GIVe stores will open in London on Wednesday, 30 September, 2009.

You can hear more about Mark Cummings' visit to George Davies' studio on the BBC Radio Gloucestershire Breakfast Show on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week (30 September - 2 October, 6am - 9am).

Listen: BBC Radio Gloucestershire