Cavendish House, the oldest department store on Cheltenham’s Promenade, has been closed since 2024, leaving a prominent building in the town centre empty. The iconic store, which opened in 1823 and served as the local House of Fraser for over 50 years until its closure, is now in the spotlight again as plans emerge to revitalise its vacant windows with artwork.
The building’s owner, Canada Life Asset Management, along with Cheltenham Borough Council, have indicated intentions to develop the site into a “mixed-use scheme”, though progress on redevelopment has been slow. This has caused some frustration among local residents and stakeholders.
In the meantime, creative efforts are underway to breathe new life into the space. Earlier this year, a street artist was commissioned to create murals on the hoardings surrounding Cavendish House. More recently, proposals have been made to use the store’s window spaces as a canvas for rotating art displays starting in September.
READ MORE: Update on Cheltenham Municipal Offices Sale and Future Plans
READ MORE: Beloved Gloucester Farm Faces Challenges But Encourages Summer Visits
Former Conservative councillor Emma Nelson raised the idea during a recent council meeting, suggesting a collaborative project involving Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID), Cheltenham Civic Society, and Canada Life. She highlighted the opportunity the empty windows present for showcasing the town’s history and culture, potentially featuring contributions from local schools, The Wilson Gallery, and history societies.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Izaac Tailford, responsible for economic development, culture, wellbeing and the public realm, confirmed that plans are already in progress. He explained that Cheltenham BID has partnered with Canada Life to curate artwork for all the windows, with installation scheduled for early September.
“The designs I’ve seen are perfectly in keeping for the area, including history, images, information and a map to help with wayfinding,” said Cllr Tailford.
At the Municipal Offices meeting on 20 July, Mrs Nelson sought reassurance that the artwork would cover windows on both the Promenade and Regent Street sides of the building. Cllr Tailford confirmed this is the case, describing the forthcoming displays as a fitting and attractive addition.
“It will be just like the artwork they have done on the hoardings already. It will be a nice addition to the Promenade and Regent Street,” he added.
The initiative aims to keep the historic Cavendish House visibly engaged with the community, providing a temporary cultural attraction as plans for its future development continue to take shape.