Planned changes to a retail unit in Cheltenham will 'better align with current market demands'.

Cheltenham Borough Council has approved JLL's plans on behalf of Industrial Property Investment Fund (IPIF) to divide the former Evans Cycles store on Kingsditch Trade Park into three.

Unit P4 Kingsditch Lane, at the junction with Runnings Road, will be subdivided into Units P4A, P4B and P4C.

Changes include the creation of new shopfronts, removal of existing window glazing for the newly created Unit P4B, an indicative location for future signage above the new entrance, installation of new glazed double entrance shopfront for Unit P4C and installation of new fire exits, ramp access and hand railings to the side of the building, fronting Runnings Road.

In a covering letter to support the planning application, JLL said: "The proposed external alterations, including new entrance doors, are designed to enhance Unit P4's adaptability and future viability. These changes aim to increase flexibility by accommodating multiple occupiers, better aligning with current market demands and trends.

"By allowing for multiple businesses within the same footprint, the alterations have the potential to boost economic output compared to the existing single-occupancy configuration."

Scaffolding on the building today (May 1) suggests work may already have started or be imminent.

Evans Cycles' Cheltenham store closed in 2023. A smaller Evans range moved into Cavendish House for a few months, before Cavendish House closed in April last year.