Firm looks to move into former spa building

CHAPEL Spa has closed down but another business wants to take over the building in North Place.

A planning application submitted to the borough council reveals that a Cheltenham-based firm of accountants, Bespoke Tax, wants to move into it.

Its partner, Neil Denniss, has applied for permission to carry out internal and external alterations to facilitate a change of use from health spa to offices. A report in the application says: “The proposed accommodation is to provide office accommodation for one of Cheltenham’s successful and currently expanding businesses – Bespoke Tax, who are currently based in Bath Road and in need of this type of office space.”

A heritage statement within the application says that a previous plan to turn the chapel into flats had been approved but not acted upon.

Formerly known as Portland Chapel, it was the first non-conformist Gothic Revival building built in Cheltenham.