On Thursday 11 April 2024, the doors of Cheltenham's oldest department store Cavendish House will close for the final time.
News of the closure has been met with mixed and strong emotions throughout the town and beyond.
After being at the centre of town life for so long, discussions have ranged from memories over the long history of the 201-year-old store to hopes for its future once House of Fraser moves on.
As the countdown begins on the final 30 days for the iconic store, SoGlos takes a look at the reflections and aspirations of our readers.
Marilyn Jaynes said: 'It's so very sad, I loved working in the HR department with wonderful managers and staff. It's such a loss to the town after 200 years of trading, sending my best wishes and love to all staff past and present.'
Gary Dalgarno said: 'Good memories working on the display team in the late 90s! Had some right laughs! The good old days… such a shame it was next in the firing line.'
Helen Hadley said: 'Ah so sad. I worked 34 years in Cav House. Great memories. Friends. Customers. Will be sadly missed.'
Dan Jones said: 'Sadly inevitable. Just such a massive shop to run and the end of a Cheltenham institution. I remember the food hall and going in there with my nan many years ago.'
Martin Wakefield said: 'As a child I loved the window display at Christmas.'
Val Addison Smith said: 'Very sad. As a child, it's where we went to do smart shopping and buy treats. We lived in a small village, so going to Cheltenham was always a bit special. It was such a beautiful shop, in its day it was the Harrods of Cheltenham, but no more.'
Carer and mum Lucy Katherine Pengelly said: 'I used to love Cav when I was younger and actually went in to town. Cheltenham needs to move with the times and get footfall back in the town, it’s dire! We need another superstore in there.'
Sonia Scott said: 'The building must be of historic significance and something ought to be done to preserve it.'
Shaun Carr said: 'A great opportunity for a company to come in and revitalise an ageing building — could be Cheltenham's jewel again for the next generation.'
Tamandra Carpenter said: 'My good friend had the great idea of an indoor market. I've always wished Cheltenham had a permanent one too. I know we have the farmers' market, but I mean a 'permanent indoor market' like Gloucester has. I love those places, they have such a nostalgic feel, but being Cheltenham we probably won't get anything fun like that. A big food hall would be nice too.'
James Molloy said: 'Would make a great multi-use site — food court — indoor market style — offices and apartments.'
Lorrie Lou said: 'Indoor market would be fab. Or I’d love something like the Beechwood Arcade was with small independent stores. There’s just too many generic stores now in Cheltenham. If it wants to compete with every other town it needs to be different. And for that artisan and bespoke is the key. But due to the massive business rates they charge I doubt this will happen.'
Cheltenham Civic Society has suggested splitting the department store into smaller, more lettable shops along The Promenade, with an opening into an inner courtyard lined with other shops and cafes facing on to Regent Street.
It also thinks the Art Deco element of the existing building next to the bridge over Regent Street could make an attractive boutique hotel or apartment block.
With ambitious vision, the society also reckons the height of the building could also be raised to four to six storeys, with upper levels becoming apartments or offices.
The building is owned by Canada Life. Its redevelopment discussions with Cheltenham Borough Council are ongoing.
