Cheltenham's Cavendish House could become town centre homes

House of Fraser, which is currently housed in the building, will shut its doors in mid-April

The owners of a building housing a House of Fraser department store, which is due to close in April, have been considering new mixed-use plans.

The Cavendish House building in Cheltenham is 201-years-old.

Site owners, Canada Life Asset Management, are exploring options with Cheltenham Borough Council to redevelop the building.

Plans for the historic site may include "substantial town centre housing".

Canada Life is also exploring options for the continued temporary use of the building while they prepare planning applications, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

At a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, Cllr Max Wilkinson said he is pleased the owners are considering a scheme that meets the requirements of the town.

Cavendish House first opened in 1823 when Cheltenham was a booming tourist destination

"It does look like there is a consensus emerging about the future of that building which, in the town centre, does have a huge role to play in our future," he said.

"Bringing more homes into Cheltenham town centre is a key aim and the recent council report into empty spaces in the town centre highlighted this fact.

"It's good to hear that Canada Life is willing to work with us locally on that and temporary uses for the building in the meantime, and they acknowledge that it is in no-one's interest for the building to remain empty."

A spokesperson for Canada Life said although it is "disappointing" that House of Fraser has decided to close, they are working to bring new life to the town centre.

"While we recognise this may be disappointing for some, it presents an exciting opportunity to re-shape Cavendish House for the future," they said.

"We have been working closely and constructively with the borough council on exploring a number of sustainable redevelopment options for Cavendish House.

"Together, we will continue to develop our thinking as to how to bring new life to this historic site at the heart of Cheltenham."

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