Pop-up market to close to allow redevelopment

A pop-up market in an historic former department store is to close to allow redevelopment work to progress.

Cavendish House in Cheltenham was home to House of Fraser until April 2024, and has since hosted the market.

Traders were informed on 13 January that they would have to vacate the building by the end of the month so its owners can move their plans forward.

The move has been criticised by Cheltenham MP Max Wilkinson, who called on the owners to share their redevelopment plans "without delay".

The owners of the historic building Canada Life Asset Management said the bridge link to neighbouring shopping centre Regent Arcade would be removed ahead of a future planning application.

A toy shop owner previously told the BBC how using the former department store as a pop-up marketplace was "working a treat" for his business.

The Kiwi Fruit Is Cute, another of the pop-up businesses, shared their disappointment on social media, saying: "We've poured our hearts into this little shop and into everyone who's walked through the door.

"Unless we can find a short or long-term space to rent in Cheltenham, this may be the end of The Kiwi Fruit is Cute."

Another trader, who asked not to be named, said some in the building are worried they will "completely lose their livelihoods".

MP Max Wilkinson said it was a pity the traders are leaving and that the short-term pop-ups had been "brilliant at keeping Cav House alive".

He said the building's owners must reveal their plans for the site "without delay and without excuses".

"The company has already been called out repeatedly for moving so slowly and for the bizarre arrangements they put in place to oversee the building," he said.

"Now local people demand action to restore this much-loved town centre treasure to past glories."

A Canada Life spokesperson said the company was engaging with Cheltenham Borough Council ahead of a planning application.

They added that they remained "committed to working closely with local stakeholders" during Cavendish House's regeneration.

A spokesperson for Sanderson Weatherall, which manages the building, said: "While we understand that this decision is likely to be disappointing for the remaining traders, the marketplace has been successful in supporting local businesses in their early stages."

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