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Gloucestershire Business News

Boots Corner closure praised as Brewery Quarter delivers record figures

It was an announcement meant to draw attention to the success of the multi-million-pound investment that is Cheltenham's Brewery Quarter.

But the decision to mention the highly controversial closure of Boots Corner to through-traffic and what a bonus this has been for its footfall figures is bound to get attention - of all kinds.

Apparently almost five million people have visited the Spa town's new retail and leisure centre on the former brewery site off the lower high street during the last year - an increase of 15 per cent.

And with more stores due to open shortly that looks only like it will increase, but it is the decision to praise the Boots Corner plans that is likely to raise the hackles in some quarters.

Phil Martin, director of Martin Commercial Properties which manages the scheme, said: "It is fantastic that in the current period of economic uncertainty high profile businesses are still being attracted to Cheltenham.

"The Brewery Quarter is going from strength to strength and with John Lewis opening later this month, the future of Cheltenham High Street is looking extremely promising.

"The recent closure of Boots Corner to through traffic has connected the town in a positive way and helped The Brewery Quarter achieve record footfall figures over the summer months."

Pressure has been growing on the Liberal Democrat-led borough council, which is championing the trials of the traffic scheme, to look scrap it.

Traders in the precincts of Boots Corner has been vocal in their condemnation and argued it has adversely affected their trade and deliveries.

Fighting back is difficult for a local authority meant to be involved in an impartial study, but those on the yellow side of the political divide have been keen to gently push out a message that not all business people in the town think the same and that there could be a bigger picture to see.

A release from the chamber of trade last week quoted a Nicola Inchbald on behalf of investment firm Cheltine, who said: "As you know Cheltine are major investors in central Cheltenham. We really feel we must applaud CBC/GCC for their vision for improving accessibility and the retail experience already being seen by the temporary changes at Boots Corner.

"We hope that the County and Borough can overcome some of the localised difficulties being experienced by some retailers, whilst continuing with the experiment and listening to the voice of those retailers who are already seeing the benefits of the scheme.

"We feel that the empirical evidence, once collated, will demonstrate the wider benefit for the High Street and Promenade. If the traffic trial is a success, it would be great to ultimately see the quality enhanced to reflect works currently taking place elsewhere on the High Street"

When Cheltine filed its last set of company accounts had more than £30 million invested in property.

Back to the Brewery Quarter, Seven lifestyle and hospitality brands have both chosen the centre as their new home with Five Guys, Mr Mulligans Lost World and Babel opening towards the end of last year, and Luke 1977, Creams Café and Urban Outfitters joining the line-up this month (October).

The Botanist will also be launching in December.

High fashion beauty brand SLG - the company behind Superdry's and Little Mix's cosmetics ranges - picked The Brewery Quarter as the location for its new offices, along with international insurance broker THB Global selecting the site as their regional office; securing a 100 per cent office occupancy rate for the scheme.

Demelsa Coleman, marketing manager for The Brewery Quarter, said: "We feel that this perfectly demonstrates our continuing commitment to bring desirable and successful brands to Cheltenham and establish The Brewery Quarter as the place to be for anyone wishing to make their mark in the retail, food or fashion scene in the South West."

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