‘Such a shame’ Society’s views on decline of town shared by many
CHELTENHAM Civic Society’s claim that the town is a “dump” has caused quite a stir. Our story about its call for action to improve the public realm in the town centre seems to have struck a chord with many residents and visitors.
Dozens of you have given us your thoughts on our website and our Facebook page. The majority have said the civic society was bang-on.
Many agreed with the view that parts of High Street in particular were looking shabby and unloved. Untidy empty shops and ugly-looking pavements had turned parts of the main shopping area into an eyesore, you said.
Roy Haslem wrote: “I have been visiting Cheltenham for over 40 years and loved the architecture. It was always clean and tidy. It is going down the pan.”
Also feeling despondent was David Greener, who said: “I moved to Cheltenham in 2011 with my work. I loved the place and bought my own home there in 2014. Last year we sold up and relocated as the town has turned into a dump with high crime rates, antisocial behaviour, poor town planning and maintenance by the local authority. The roads are falling to bits, have constant drawn-out roadworks and major congestion problems.
“Such a shame to see Cheltenham deteriorate as it was a beautiful town.”
A reader with the profile name Axetogrind2 said: “It’s not just the paving, which is an utter disgrace, but also the rundown shop frontages on some of the town’s listed buildings. The town’s council should be ashamed of this incipient decay, they need to get a grip of this issue with some urgency.”
Denise Cook felt online shopping had taken its toll on shops in the town centre. She said: “We’re all very eager to blame the council and the planners; however, I think us shoppers need to also shoulder some of the blame. Most of us are happy to shop online, and during the pandemic it was the only way to shop. But have we returned to the High Street?”
However, Sally Rowe felt the society’s criticism was unfair, saying: “Hardly a dump – pretty gardens and interesting buildings. Sadly the shops are a let -down. However, that is everywhere.”
Meanwhile, Cheltenham Business Improvement District has given its response to the civic society’s criticism.
In a statement, it said: “Cheltenham is still, in the main, a beautiful and thriving town centre. The fact that the likes of Sweaty Betty, Franco Manca, Decathlon, Pho and all the other big names which have recently opened in the town centre have chosen to do so shows this.
“Cheltenham’s vacancy rates are below the national average and our footfall is at a healthy level. This doesn’t mean we can all become complacent, and there are areas of the town centre, particularly High Street near the Strand and Cambray Place, which have been badly neglected.
“Various schemes and timetables have been put forward for the regeneration of that area since 2018 and something needs to be done soon. Cheltenham BID has attended numerous meetings with representatives from Cheltenham Borough Council and Gloucestershire County Council regarding this work, so we do understand the constraints and challenges they face.
“Landlords and their agents are frequently so far removed from the towns they have property in, they just don’t see the effect a run-down property has on the area. You can tell which landlords and agents are proactive – their properties don’t tend to stay on the market long or are kept in good condition.
“There definitely needs to be a more stringent approach to holding landlords responsible for the state of their buildings, with action taken long before they get to the state where they are unsafe and an eyesore. There really isn’t any excuse for allowing the constant use of asphalt to replace paving slabs.
“Not only is it unsightly, but it is also unsafe in most instances. Cheltenham BID will continue to have dialogue with the local authorities to get the many issues facing the town centre addressed and are pleased to be working in conjunction with Cheltenham Civic Society.
“Cheltenham is fortunate compared to some towns where vacancy rates are high, footfall is low and civic pride allows antisocial behaviour to thrive.”
Cheltenham is still, in the main, a beautiful and thriving town centre. The fact Sweaty Betty, Franco Manca, Decathlon, Pho … recently opened in the town centre shows this Cheltenham Business Improvement District