Cheltenham
Shopping
Cheltenham has
a wide range of shops to cater for most peoples needs. From quality
privately owned shops to national and international chain stores
Cheltenham has it all.
A variery of
shops, relaxed shopping arcades, wide avenues, summer floral displays
and a plentiful supply of town centre parking makes shopping in
Cheltenham an enjoyable experience.
The Promenade
 |
|
Known
by some simply as "The Prom", the Promenade in Cheltenham
is one of the most stylish shopping areas in the area.
The Promenade
is home to some of the best-known fashion houses, shoe shops
and bookstores including the imposing Cavendish House, White Stuff,
Jack Wills, Laura Ashley, Gap, Waterstone's and Bally. Look out
for The
Minotaur and the Hare bronze on the pedestrianised part
of the Promenade. A large sculpture created by Sophie Ryder
in 1995.
Larger
photograph of The Minotaur and the Hare |
The High Street
 |
|
The
High Street is another of the main shopping areas of Cheltenham.
There are shopping arcades such as the Regent
Arcade Shopping Centre where you will find well
known stores including BHS, The Body Shop, Mothercare, Sole (Sole Trader), River Island as well as smaller individual shops. The centre is currently undergoing a refurbish programme, but the shops remain open as usual.
There
is a large (557 spaces) multi-storey car park attached to the Regent Arcade. Parking is charged for by the hours. As an example, up to 2 hours costs £2.90 (correct at November 2012, please check for latest parking fees) and the car park uses a new numberplate recognition system. |
| |
|
|
One
rather unexpected, but popular feature of the Regent Arcade
Shopping Centre is the famous Wishing Fish Clock that was
designed and constructed by Kit Williams.
The clock
is 45 feet (14 metres) high and is believed to be the tallest
mechanical clock in the world.
On the hour the fish that is suspended under the clock revolves
and blows out bubbles. The
performance of the bubble-blowing clock is very popular with
both children and adults and can attract crowds of people
to the area beneath the clock and bring the arcade to a standstill!
At the
same time as the bubble blowing, the clock plays popular tunes
such as "The sun has got its hat on" and "I'm
forever blowing bubbles" |
|
 |
| |
|
|
 |
|
Further
along the High Street is the Beechwood Shopping
Centre. The Beechwood has shopping on two floors
including Next, Debenhams, an Apple store (Western Computing), Animal, Cargo
and much more.
Cheltenham's
Shopmobility Scheme also operates from here.
The Beechwood
also has a multi-storey car park attached. |
Back out on
the High Street, national stores such as Marks and Spencer, Currys,
Boots, Vodafone, WH Smith, HMV and Carphone Warehouse
can be found.
Between the Promenade and Regent Arcade Shopping Centre don't miss
Regent Street, home to the Everyman Theatre and a variety of bars,
cafes, restaurants and boutiques.
The Brewery
The Brewery is Cheltenham's newest retail and leisure destination.
The area, a short walk from Cheltenham town centre is home to Cineworld, Fitness First, Chiquito, Frankie & Benny's, Nando's, Immo, Gala Bingo and more.
There is an NCP multi-storey car park directly opposite The Brewery with more parking spaces within a few minutes walk.
Sunday Shopping
Cheltenham
has over 100 shops open on Sundays from 11am. Most of the major
stores are open for trading, and many of the smaller stores open
too. It is advisable to check with individual stores for their opening
hours if you are planning on visiting a specific store.
Montpellier
and The Suffolks
 A short walk
from Cheltenham town centre are the Montpellier and Suffolks areas,
some would say that they have a rather continental feel.
There
is an abundance of specialist boutiques and gift shops, together
with pavement cafes and fashionable wine bars.
Other highlights
of the Montpellier and Suffolk areas are the Courtyard in
Montpellier Street and the Antiques Centre in Suffolk Road.
Good local shopping can also be found in Bath Road.
There
is a concentration of well-established antiques dealers in
the Montpellier and Suffolks areas.
Antiques
As well as finding
antique dealers in Montpellier and The Suffolks, monthly Antiques
and Collectors Fairs are staged at the Cheltenham Racecourse on
Sundays.
Farmers Markets
Cheltenham's
Farmers Markets, with over 30 stalls, are held on the Promenade
in front of the Tourist Information Centre on the second and last
Friday of each month. Here you will be tempted by the fresh and
natural produce including delicious cheeses, mouth-watering meats
and a wide variety of vegetables that are on sale
|
