One of the most iconic art deco buildings in the county, The Daffodil was once one of the most sought-after restaurants in Cheltenham, where dinner and drinks for two would set you back the best part of £100.
But after never fully recovering from pandemic closures and restrictions, The Daffodil finally closed its doors for good in August 2022.
Upmarket estate agents Savills were appointed to seek developers for the historic building in May 2024, asking for 'unconditional or subject-to-planning offers'.
The requests were met with little to no interest, culminating in the submission of planning permission to change the art deco building from a Class E commercial, business and service property to a Class C3 residential home — with prior approval granted and given on Tuesday 17 December 2024.
The property, unusually, spans two addresses — 18-20 and 21 Suffolk Parade. The site at numbers 18-20 is 6,135 sq ft and was granted planning permission in January 2024 for commercial, business and service use.
While number 21, which was once the Cheltenham Festivals box office, is 1,042 sq ft and was granted planning permission for conversion to a single residential dwelling in October 2023.
The Daffodil was designed by early 20th-century Cheltenham architect, Leonard William Barnard, and opened in 1922 as The Daffodil Picture House.
It had 750 seats and operated as a cinema until 1963, before conversion into a bingo club, then an antiques and furniture showroom, before entering its last iteration as a restaurant in 1998.
Comments on the application include three objects, including one from the Cinema Theatre Association, who said they were 'very concerned' that the change of use to residential is 'highly likely to eradicate the cinema interior.'
Another object noted that 'the inevitable destruction of valuable architecture must not be permitted,' which is echoed in a letter from previous owner of The Daffodil, Mark Blunt, who said: 'During my ownership of The Daffodil, I always sought to protect its unique features and I was always supported by planning offices.'
While current owner Stewart Braddock said that the plans for The Daffodil were needed in order to 'secure its future.'
