Heritage hopes Cafe to stay open despite council ruling it must go
ACAFE next to Pittville Pump Room is to stay open even though the borough council has said it must go.
The Cheltenham Trust, which runs the Heritage Cafe Orangery, hopes to persuade the council that it can keep the facility at the spot without spoiling the look of the Grade I listed building.
It comes after the authority rejected the trust’s planning application to keep the cafe as it is for another two years. Council bosses have brought to an end a period of planning amnesty, introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to help struggling businesses, and told them they now need to justify keeping temporary outdoor structures.
Last month the council rejected the trust’s application, saying that the “harm” caused to the 19th century pump room by the cafe outweighed the benefit it provided to the public. It also rejected The Lucky Onion Group’s application to retain its marquees outside its No 131 hotel in Promenade for similar reasons but approved the trust’s bid to keep its cafe in Imperial Gardens for another two years.
Responding to the council’s decisions about its two cafes, a trust spokesperson said: “Following the recent decision of the council’s planning committee to refuse the temporary planning application for the temporary orangery structure at Pittville Pump Room, based on the aesthetic impact on the west side of the venue, The Cheltenham Trust will be submitting a new planning application for temporary permission for the temporary orangery structure that mitigates the reason for refusal.
“The Heritage Cafe Orangery remains open for customers and visitors to enjoy, and continues to operate as normal. It is the anchor for all the free and inclusive community events, including this year’s extensive Christmas programme at the pump room and park – the highlight of which will be the free community Christmas lights switch on event on Saturday November 26 which is expected to attract thousands of people.
“The trust has welcomed the decision by the committee to grant temporary planning permission for two years for the temporary orangery at the Garden Bar in Imperial Gardens. This temporary permission enables the trust, a not for profit charity, to review, consult and agree an appropriate permanent solution for this important visitor destination in the town centre.
“The trust will continue to build on the success of the Garden Bar Orangery and its contribution to the local and visitor economy of Cheltenham, its local community and the wider cultural programme.
“This Christmas it will be transformed into an apres ski bar, complementing Cheltenham’s festive offer and hosting a full programme of free, live music throughout the winter months.”