Using empty building for pop-up shops 'positive'

Pop-up shops are taking up the empty space in Cavendish House

Allowing traders to use an empty building was a "massive positive" move, according to a town's mayor.

Cheltenham’s oldest department store has stood on the Promenade since 1823 but the site, which was home to House of Fraser, shut its doors in April this year.

It has now reopened as a mini indoor market and is now bustling with around 30 stalls.

Businesses on the site now sell clothing, home ware, jewellery and plants and other products. They have permission to trade there for a year but there is the potential for extending it for a second and third year.

The town's mayor said Cavendish House was now "vibrant"

Mayor Paul Baker said: “I was invited over to Cavendish House to open a stand for Duracell Energy,” he told a full council meeting on 17 June.

“This is vibrant. There’s a vibrant community there, it’s well worth a visit.”

He said the site is being used by many Cheltenham entrepreneurs who “are able to dip their toes in the retail sector for the very first time with their own produce, whether it’s flowers, chocolates, jewellery”.

“They were all so excited to have that opportunity without any great outlay of expenditure.

“I’m hoping that it can be a model for future unoccupied properties so that local people can get the advantage of taking up that space.”

Canada Life, the owners of Cavendish House, are considering new mixed-use plans for the historic retail site which may include "substantial town centre housing".