Cheltenham Town Centre has become a hub of chain cafes and other businesses.
This has led to many independent coffee shops struggling to stay afloat.
Recently in Cheltenham, a new Tesco Express has opened on the Promenade, next to the recently added Café Nero. There are also plans for a new Gail’s Bakery to come to Cheltenham, and because of this, independent coffee shop owners are feeling the pressure.
Coffee shops such as Otis & Belle and Clementine are concerned about the idea that popular chain cafes are going to take over. However, Cheltenham’s Business Improvement District (BID) is aware that independent businesses as a whole are struggling, and competing with the chains makes it even more difficult.
Francesca Inman, the Chief Executive of Cheltenham’s BID, said that “Cheltenham thrives on having independent businesses in general, so having coffee shops enhances that even further, rather than just going to the big chains. Independence brings a different angle.
It would be a shame if Cheltenham lost it’s independents, because they are paramount to the town.”
Cheltenham currently sits at an 8% vacancy rate. The national average is around 12-13 per cent. A low vacancy rate is really good for businesses in Cheltenham, as it indicates a strong demand for properties in the town. Across the UK, there have been peaks and troughs of chain eateries coming to and from towns and cities.
The BID support around 800 businesses across Cheltenham, in a variety of sectors, including retail, hospitality, office and professional sectors. They run a variety of schemes such as BID in Bloom, where flowers will be put outside shops to entice customers.
They are planning to highlight independent businesses on this year’s Independence Day. They also run a marketing campaign that has been tailored to independent shops called ‘BID: Behind the Brand‘.
“We go in and interview, we find out who runs it, how did they get there, how long have they been in Cheltenham.” Francesca said.
The BID also works very closely with Marketing Cheltenham, a big tourism arm for the town, which put on events to bring people into the town.
Although Cheltenham are seeing more chain stores, it is reassuring to locals and business owners that independent shops are still a priority.
