Major sports retailer Decathlon is set to close its sole Gloucestershire outlet in Cheltenham within weeks. The store, located at Regent Arcade, has already displayed closing-down signs, with its final day scheduled for 29 August. This closure means that local customers will need to travel to other cities such as Oxford, Birmingham, or Cardiff to shop in-store.
The Cheltenham branch’s closure will leave a significant void in Regent Arcade, a shopping centre also home to large retailers including Mango, H&M, and TK Maxx. The news has upset loyal customers; one Reddit user commented, “One of the few shops I actually go to. Gutted.” Another added, “I was really pleased when they opened up in Cheltenham. It’s a real shame they are closing.”
This development marks another setback for Cheltenham town centre, following the permanent closure of the historic Cavendish House department store, which had served the community for over 200 years. Earlier this year, traders on The Promenade expressed feelings of being “forgotten” since Cavendish House shut its doors.
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With Decathlon’s departure, the town centre faces further challenges as it seeks to maintain a vibrant retail offering for local shoppers.