Business owner says former store 'works a treat'

Marcus Moore said owning a shop, rather than running a pop-up, would cost "thousands and thousands of pounds"

A business owner says using a former department store as a pop-up marketplace is "working a treat" for his toy business.

Marcus Moore is one of the businesses currently open in Cavendish House in Cheltenham, which House of Fraser vacated in April 2024 before the building's owner Canada Life reopened it for pop-up shops in June 2024.

But Max Wilkinson, MP for Cheltenham, has urged Canada Life to "get on with it" and bring forward a redevelopment scheme for the property.

Canada Life said it is "committed to moving forward to reach a solution that brings economic and wider benefits to Cheltenham".

Mr Moore, who owns Future Nostalgia Toys, said the current set-up is "a stepping stone to getting a shop in the future".

"If we had a shop on the high street, you're talking thousands and thousands of pounds, business rates, etc," he said.

Regarding Mr Wilkinson's idea of redeveloping the building, Mr Moore said he feared it "would price small businesses like ours out of the high street".

"I'd have to go somewhere else or go back to doing toy fairs, which is where we started," he added.

Max Wilkinson said the "ongoing uncertainty" of Cavendish House could impact Cheltenham town centre

Mr Wilkinson said it was "well known for a long time" Frasers Group was going to move from Cavendish House, so there had been "time to put a plan in place".

"I think we need a residential-led scheme which retains some form of shops and food and drink places as well, and anything else that might fit in that the market is demanding," he said.

"We need Canada Life to bring forward a scheme as soon as possible, whether that's redevelopment, whether they're in partnership with somebody else.

"Cheltenham town centre is a really important part of our town. It brings prosperity and vibrancy.

"What we can't put up with is ongoing uncertainty, which is clearly going to have a big impact."

'Site not left empty'

Canada Life has applied for permission to remove the building's bridge above Regent Street.

A spokesperson said it had ensured the site was not left empty and "continued to serve the local community" by reopening Cavendish House in its current format.

"The removal of the bridge link is an important precursor to the future redevelopment of the site," they said.