Work on revamping the controversial outdoor area of No. 131 in Cheltenham town centre is to begin in January of next year.

That is according to a spokesperson for Julian Dunkerton, whose Lucky Onion Group owns the boutique hotel and restaurant - which is opposite the Queens Hotel in Promenade.

In February, the borough council granted the group planning permission to replace 16 tired-looking white marquees (which some critics had described as "tatty tents") with white metal-framed pergolas.

Since then, most of the marquees have remained in place and only minor alterations have been made to the area outside the listed buildings that make up the venue - leading many people to wonder what is happening with the proposed development.

Now a spokesperson for Mr Dunkerton has clarified the situation, saying: "The plans have been slightly delayed simply because of special permissions for trees, water management and the design has been redefined to ensure its sympathetic to all.

"Work will not start over the busy Christmas period but will commence in January and be finished before race week in March."

She added that there had not been any changes to the plans agreed by the council.

She said: "Our team is working on an execution plan and ticking all the boxes to stay in line with what has already been signed off."

Opinion in Cheltenham has been divided over the marquees and their effect on one of the most elegant parts of the town.

Critics have said the council should have forced Mr Dunkerton, who is also the CEO of global fashion brand Superdry, to remove them because they block the view of three grade II* listed buildings and were only supposed to be temporary.

But his supporters have argued that No. 131 has breathed new life into that part of Promenade, offering a high-class service to the public, and that insisting on the removal of the marquees risked putting it out of business.

Ahead of February's council meeting to decide on the pergolas proposal, Mr Dunkerton had warned that it was crucial that it be allowed to make his business viable.

Meanwhile, his plans to create a riverside terrace to provide extra seating by his cidery at Dowdeswell Park in Charlton Kings, have yet to be determined by the council.