Public engagement launched on future of Cheltenham’s high street and promenade

Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council want to hear your views on how we can revitalise Cheltenham’s High Street and Promenade.

This includes co-ordination of street design, layout, paving, lighting, trees and planting as well as signage, seating and accessibility could help improve the town’s appeal encouraging greater footfall and enhanced experience. Everything from shopfronts to highways maintenance, the materials used in public art, would form part of this.

This vision is set out in a public engagement document which highlights how well-designed street design can transform a high street from a place people pass through into a place they chose to be in. Other ideas include opening-up spaces, using considered planting to soften hard edges and reducing street clutter so the environment becomes more welcoming and accessible.

Residents, businesses and visitors are now being invited to share their views and highlight what matters most to them when planning future improvements.

Fran Inman, chief executive of Cheltenham BID, said: “Cheltenham’s High Street and Promenade are the heartbeat of the town and are used by thousands of people every day. This survey will help guide how these important spaces evolve in the future while protecting the character that makes Cheltenham unique.”

Councillor Izaac Tailford, cabinet member for economic development, culture, wellbeing and the public realm at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “Our thinking includes how we could carefully and sensitively design and manage our town centre, enhancing pedestrian areas and investing in green and cultural spaces that encourage social interaction, creativity and local enterprise.

"We would like views on our current thinking which are set out in the engagement document so that we can focus any future funding on the things that matter most to our communities, visitors and businesses.”

Councillor Mark Harris, cabinet member for highways at Gloucestershire County Council, added: “This is an exciting moment for Cheltenham. We want the town centre to reflect the energy, creativity and pride of the community. By reimagining our public spaces, we are creating an environment where everyone can enjoy Cheltenham - whether strolling through a lively square, exploring shops or attending events that bring our streets to life.”

You can get involved in a number of ways:

Visit Cheltenham BID’s website
Complete the online survey
Complete and return the written survey. Copies are available from: BID, Oriel House, Oriel Rd, Cheltenham and Municipal Offices reception, The Promenade
We are working with businesses in the BID area to arrange a business briefing event.

The six-week public engagement will run from Monday 8 June – Monday 20 July.

Notes to editors:

This shared vision would be a partnership between public and private sector, independent businesses and utilities companies, highways and local authorities. It is not a statutorily binding document
Delivery is dependent on funding being available in the future
Importantly 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

Public engagement launched on future of Cheltenham’s high street and promenade

Notes to editors:

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