Cheltenham restaurant closures prompt concern

Menswear shop owner Keith Graham said he had never experienced a worse time for business

Concerns have been raised over a "worrying trend" of restaurant and cafe closures in Cheltenham.

Tim Harman, a former councillor and town resident, pointed out at a Cheltenham Borough Council meeting that a number of popular restaurants and cafes had closed in recent weeks, such as Ask in Montpellier, Ox in Cambray Place, and Cake Alchemist, Domain 16 and The Find in Regent Street.

Cabinet member Izaac Tailford said that the closures were concerning and he called on the government to allow the council to set the town's own business rates.

A HM Treasury spokesperson said it was a "pro-business government, cutting interest rates and capping corporation tax".

Keith Graham, owner of menswear shop The Famous on the Prom, said: "It is a very tough time.

"I've been in business for quite a long time and this is the worst I've ever known it.

"People see Cheltenham as a destination place and if all of these nice restaurants and cafes close then its more of a disincentive for people to come along."

Tailford said despite the closures the vacancy rate in the town was low and new businesses were due to open soon.

He added that if the government allowed the borough council to set the town's own business rates, it would be able to support local businesses further.

Lucy Pickles opened Pickles. cafe on Regent Street four months ago

Lucy Pickles opened matcha cafe Pickles on Regent Street at the end of June.

She said seeing all the coffee shops that had shut recently was "really scary".

She added: "I thought, oh gosh, they're a really busy cafe - if they are shutting, what does this mean for me?

"I just take each day as it comes."