Q) What is the purpose of the public engagement?
We (Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council) want to hear your views on how we can improve Cheltenham’s high street and promenade and have launched a 6-week public engagement (Monday 8th June – Monday 20th July 2026.).
We want to develop a shared vision that helps transform our high street making it even more welcoming, where spaces are opened-up for people to sit, meet, spend time in and enjoy. In simple terms we want to create a space that people want to spend time in rather than pass through.
We can do this by better co-ordination of street design, layout, paving, lighting, trees and planting as well as signage, seating and more thought to accessibility. Everything from shopfronts to highways maintenance, the materials used to public art, would form part of this.
Q) Why is this engagement happening now?
Town centres are changing rapidly due to shifts in shopping habits, online retail, changing visitor expectations and economic pressures. This project aims to help the high street and promenade adapt and thrive in the future.
We want to develop a shared vision that helps transform our high street making it even more welcoming, where spaces are opened-up for people to sit, meet, spend time in and enjoy. In simple terms we want to create a space that people want to spend time in rather than pass through.
Q) Businesses feel like they haven’t been listened too or heard for such a long time. It’s become even harder to run a successful business because of the changes introduced by the government and the actions of the council/s? How is this going to help and why should we get involved?
We understand the very real pressures facing retailers on the high street. We also understand the sense of frustration at what can feel like a lack of support either from central or local government which can feel like and make business harder. There is no doubt that town centres are changing rapidly due to shifts in shopping habits, online retail, changing visitor expectations and economic pressures.
These changes can be seen as a threat, although we want to collectively recognise them as an opportunity to reshape and renew our town centre for a new era.
Imagine revitalising our high street by making it even more welcoming, where spaces are opened-up for people to sit, meet, spend time in and enjoy. In simple terms we want
to create a space that people want to spend time in rather than pass through. In doing so it would boost visitor numbers and increase footfall.
This is our vision which we want to share and it’s for all of us to help shape this new future and be part of it.
Q) Who is holding this engagement?
Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council are staging this programme of public engagement.
Q) Who are you engaging with?
We want to hear the views of businesses (independent and well-known brands), organisations (public or third sector), residents and visitors.
Q) How long is the engagement programme?
The public engagement programme will be held over six weeks from Monday 8th June – Monday 20th July 2026.
Q) How can I get involved / have my say?
You can get involved in a number of ways. These include:
Q) What about the closure of Cavendish House, the high number of vacant retail units and homelessness which impacts on the town? How will this fix those issues?
It is important to acknowledge that this programme of work does not replace the wider work needed to tackle complex social, economic or enforcement issues, but complements those efforts by creating a more welcoming and well-managed environment.
This is not about the redevelopment of Cavendish House, Royal Well, the pedestrianisation of Boots corner, shop closures or homelessness. It’s a partnership approach about how we plan and co-ordinate the look and feel of the town in the future which can play a big part in the future prosperity of our town.
Q) Does this come with additional / extra money?
No. There is no additional / extra money although by working more collectively in future we can make significant improvements. By aligning our vision in this way we can also bid for regeneration and other government funding.
Q) Why is Montpellier not part of this work?
Currently we are engaging about the high street and promenade. We do plan to cover Montpellier in the next phase and we will keep you informed on how this progresses.