Cheltenham’s historic Cavendish House, a landmark that had served the town for over 200 years, closed its doors permanently just five months ago. Since then, traders along The Promenade—the bustling shopping street that the department store once anchored—say they feel “forgotten” and abandoned.
The enormous building, stretching 287 feet along the Promenade, has been empty since February 2026. Its boarded-up entrances have become an eyesore in the town center, detracting from the area’s vibrancy. Following the closure, police removed rough sleepers who had taken shelter in the vacant doorways. To add some life to the blank facades, a local street artist was commissioned to paint murals, injecting colour but not hope for immediate revival.
Businesses surrounding Cavendish House are increasingly anxious about the future of the building and its impact on their livelihoods. They are calling for clear plans and urgent communication from Cheltenham Borough Council and Canada Life Asset Management, who own the property. Both parties have hinted at a mixed-use redevelopment scheme, but details remain confidential pending official planning applications.
READ MORE: Gloucester Identified as England’s Rough Sleeping Capital with Highest Rate Nationwide
READ MORE: Cheltenham Honors WWII GCHQ Codebreaker Mary Body with Blue Plaque
Cheltenham Civic Society recently voiced widespread concern on social media, highlighting a reported 40% decline in footfall since the department store closed. The society criticized the lack of planning progress, warning of two or more years of boarded-up emptiness that could further damage the economy and the town’s image.
Local traders share this frustration. Thors Weiss, general manager of Huffkins bakery and tea room directly opposite Cavendish House, lamented the loss of foot traffic and expressed concern about sustaining his business amid declining customer numbers. Weiss proposed a mixed-use redevelopment featuring apartments, office space, and community-driven food venues to revive the site. Meanwhile, he urged the council to display signage in the building’s windows promoting local businesses to mitigate the empty feeling.
Nadia March, who operates The Prom Coffee Co., echoed concerns about the neglect of this part of Cheltenham. She hopes decisions will be made soon to restore the building and bring life back to the area, emphasizing the building’s historic significance and the sadness of seeing it fall into disrepair.
Similarly, Victoria Saunders of Japes pizza restaurant reported a sharp decline in revenue compared to last year and stressed the need for redevelopment to attract visitors back. Sian Allan, supervisor at Hotel Chocolat, noted the quietness of the area and the lack of information about the building’s future, calling for updates to reassure businesses and customers alike.
In response, Cheltenham Borough Council stated that ongoing discussions with Canada Life are focused on finding a positive future for Cavendish House. They confirmed a live pre-application has been submitted, which limits the information they can disclose but emphasized their commitment to supporting regeneration.
Canada Life Asset Management shared that a critical step in the redevelopment—removing the bridge link to Regent Arcade—has been completed. This paves the way for broader regeneration efforts, with plans for a mixed-use scheme under review in partnership with the council.
As uncertainty continues, The Promenade’s traders remain hopeful but weary, yearning for clarity and action to restore the heart of Cheltenham’s retail scene and bring customers back to the street.