Rickerby's recruits have signed up to live and work in the town for two to three years – and they have a rare opportunity to compare Cheltenham to their home towns.

They say the town performs well in relation to other towns and cities.

Giles Lancaster, 31, works at the law firm, in Wellington Street, Cheltenham.

He moved to the area in August last year, after studying at Loughborough University and living in Brussels and Guildford.

He lives with wife Nessa and children Senan, 10, and Daisy, two.

He said: "Cheltenham is a unique place and it's wonderful to bring up a young family.

"It has everything, every shop you could want and it's also only 10 minutes' drive from the Cotswolds. In the future, I think it should focus on playing up these assets.

"It has good links to places like Birmingham and Bristol, but places like the Promenade really make it stand out from anywhere else I've been. The festivals must be funded because they are what makes Cheltenham stand out.

"Development should play to its strengths, because if it tries to be more like big cities, people will just go there instead."

Rachel Watkins, 24, grew up in Bristol, but says even as a youngster she and friends would travel to Cheltenham to shop.

She said: "It's one of the reasons I came here. The shops are fantastic and there is much more of an English charm to Cheltenham. I really love the town and its boutiques.

"I don't think that it really needs anything more than it has, but any development should be careful and well thought-out. The Regency buildings are beautiful, there are plenty of shops, bars and cafes.

"The Equinox development at Benhall near GCHQ has been really badly done. If we need more housing then at the very least it should be in keeping with what's around it."

Charlie Halliday, 28, moved to Cheltenham three years ago. She has lived in South London, Cardiff, and has also spent time travelling in Thailand and the Far East.

She said: "I came here because I really like the town so I don't want lots of things to change.

"Cheltenham doesn't really need to improve. But the Brewery was a good idea as it brought extra things as well as the new cinema. I think maybe developments should be like that – maybe they should only be considered if they bring new activities that aren't already here."

Tim Harrison, 27, lived in Cheltenham from the age of six. He went to University in Southampton, then studied in Birmingham before returning to live in Leckhampton last year.

He said: "It would be good to have new buildings. The town has some beautiful architecture and that should be protected, but there are good new buildings around, too.

"I don't think we really need any massive changes and I don't think we're missing anything very much."

Anna Wood, 25, grew up in Cheltenham before leaving in 2004 to study at Manchester University.

She said: "Maybe there are some extra clothes shops I'd like to see, but it's a lovely town and it really does have a bit of everything."

Andrew Jennings, 24, came from Magherafelt, Northern Ireland, after studying in Belfast and Chester.

He said: "Chelt- enham has a great reputation across the country and it's deserved, so any development will have to be measured against protecting its unique shops, parks and architecture."

Karen Msowoya, 25, who lives in Tivoli, said: "There are some good bars and restaurants, but there needs to be a better variety of nightclubs. Otherwise, people will travel to Bristol and Birmingham."