Pop-up market closes ahead of bridge demolition

A former department store which reopened as a pop-up marketplace has closed once again after traders moved out.

Cavendish House in Cheltenham welcomed in the traders after House of Fraser left in April 2024, but it closed on Saturday as owners Canada Life Asset Management say they will now "move forward with the next phase" of the building's regeneration.

Canada Life plans to knock down the bridge connecting Cavendish House to Regent Arcade, although a date for the demolition has not been provided.

Siobhan Westmacott, a trader who used the space, said the pop-up market had given her "absolutely fantastic" opportunity due to its "cheap rent" and exposure.

Westmacott, the owner of The Kiwi Fruit Is Cute haberdashery, said: "We've grown so much, it's been really positive for us.

"There's been a lot of bad press about Cavendish House, but for our part it has been a success.

"A lot of other business [from Cavendish House] have gone on and grown as well," she added.

She said The Kiwi Fruit Is Cute is set to expand and will open at new premises in Normandy House on 14 February.

Ting Yan started Manifest Clothing in 2021 as an online business, before moving into Cavendish House.

"We had been doing pop-ups and markets, but moving into Cavendish House gave us a taste of what it would be like to have our own shop," she said.

Yan opened a shop with her partner in Westgate Street, Gloucester, in December.

"Cavendish House was more of an open space, so we couldn't leave it. Now having a shop we can lock up when we want - it's more of a luxury."

Canada Life said Cavendish House had been closed so a bridge can be removed ahead of a future planning application.

A spokesperson said: "We are engaged with Cheltenham Borough Council in respect of an updated pre-application planning process and remain committed to working closely with local stakeholders as we move forward with the next phase of Cavendish House's regeneration".

Izaac Tailford, cabinet member for economic development, culture, wellbeing and the public realm at Cheltenham Borough Council, said the independent traders who had operated at the pop-up market place had "offered a unique shopping experience to residents and visitors".

"We believe that Cavendish House can have a bright, positive and successful future and we look forward to seeing plans by the owners of the building, Canada Life on the redevelopment of this historically important and crucial part of our town centre," she said.

Follow BBC Gloucestershire on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.