SHOPPERS are heartbroken after an beloved iconic store is set to shut up shop.
A House of Fraser department store will close along with Cavendish House – the historic 201-year-old building it’s based in.
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The owners of Cavendish House, located in Cheltenham, have confirmed it will close in mid-April.
Local’s said the shutting down of the building – which has welcomed shoppers since 1823 – is a “great shame”.
One person was so devastated at the “dying” high street they thought there would soon be “no point in visiting the town.”
They wrote: “All Cheltenham needs is coffee shops, nail bars and barbers. Pretty soon, there’s gonna be no point in going to town, especially if you have kids.
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“Unless you want caffeine-addicted kids with fancy haircuts and fancy nails. It’s a sad day for Cheltenham, especially with The Entertainer closing up shop too. The high street is dying.”
Another took to X to share their reaction to the news, “The word “iconic” is often over-used but it certainly applies to the Cavendish House building in #Cheltenham.
“Sad, but not surprised to read this news. Thinking of all the loyal staff at this difficult time,” they wrote.
The BBC reported that about 90 House of Fraser staff were told about the closure on 17 January and face losing their jobs.
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Cheltenham’s Conservative MP Alex Chalk said it is the “end of an era”, adding it is an “opportunity to inject new life into the Prom” with a mixed-use development that includes housing.
Local resident Martin told the BBC: “It is a great shame, it seems to be a landmark in Cheltenham. We are new [to Cheltenham], but the times we visited we have always been in there.
“It is a big part of the Promenade. It means so many different things to so many different people.”
Councillor Max Wilkinson, said the closure is “bad news” for the town.
He added that the building could be expected to be turned into housing.
A spokesperson for Frasers Group plc, who own the department store chain House of Fraser, said: “It is with regret that we announce House of Fraser Cheltenham will be closing in Spring.
“We would like to take this opportunity to thank our staff for their hard work and dedication. Where possible, we are committed to finding new roles within the Group for staff.”
This closure is only the latest in a string as House of Fraser struggles to keep its business afloat.
It comes as stores in Solihull, Guildford and Cardiff closed in 2023.
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