Homeless people banned from sleeping outside store
BBCHomeless people have been banned from sleeping in the doorway of an empty department store.
Cheltenham Borough Council announced on Wednesday it had put immediate enforcement action in place and removed pop-up tents and occupants from outside Cavendish House.
Councillor Rowena Hay, leader of the council, said the order came after members of the public became "increasingly concerned" by the behaviour of the rough sleepers.
Church leaders confirmed the group had moved to its churchyard.
Cavendish House has been empty since 31 January after the pop-up marketplace inside closed to allow redevelopment work to progress.
It used to be home to House of Fraser, which left the site on The Promenade in 2024.
Hay said the council and police will continue monitoring behaviour in the area.
"We understand the complex nature of homelessness and the real difficulties that this presents to those affected.
"That's why we are continuing to work with partners to make assessments and provide support to those individuals including the possibility/eligibility for housing locally," she added.
The Reverend Stefan Davies said the team at Cheltenham Minster had been speaking to the group of homeless people about their plans.
"We never really want to turn people away from church or the church grounds, but we have a duty of care to people, and potentially vulnerable people, who are part of our church family, who come for our services," he said.
Davies said there had been no reports of antisocial behaviour from the group so far, but people have been moved along in the past when churchgoers have felt intimidated.
