The Covid-19 pandemic has brought many challenges and reshaped how we all live and work. As we work towards recovery, it’s vital that we consider the changing role that our town centre can and will need to play in facilitating adaptation, development, bringing communities together and fostering innovation and creativity.
Our vision for Cheltenham is that we have a town centre that is thriving, that responds to the need to support retail whilst also bringing community into the heart of the town alongside other mixed uses.
Cheltenham has a rich history that has shaped our town today. There is an opportunity to build upon this whilst also reimagining a town centre that responds to the exciting cyber growth sector being delivered through the Golden Valley Development and Minster Exchange alongside others.
However, there is a perception that the current planning system is negative and is a barrier to flexibility and innovation in town centres. On the contrary, national and our own local policies are encouraging of a wide variety of uses in town centres as long as they contribute to the vitality of their location.
That’s why we have produced a new ‘Open For Business’ summary aimed at businesses, landlords and developers to think again about new opportunities in Cheltenham – and to encourage interested parties to come forward and talk to us and our colleagues in the Planning Department about your ideas.