Another One Bites The Dust

Another day, another closure. This was Barratts shoe shop on the High Street, and it has gone the same way as other national brands, like Woolworths and MFI. As I've said before its a sad sign of the times, and behind this now defunct brand are people who have been made redundant, debts that add to the financial crisis and another empty shop in town.

My intention has always been to use this blog as a way of recording the changes that take place in Cheltenham, to capture history as it happens, so alongside amusing window displays, macros of flowers, art and architecture I'll feature these sorry sights. A view that is being played out the world over.

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Christmas Blues

As many of you may know the chain store Woolworths has gone into administration, one of the latest victims of the credit crunch. The store has been on High Streets up and down the country for nearly a century, after coming to us from America. It was the place to get those things that weren't in every shop - "try Woolies." Unfortunately shops like Pound Land and Wilkos did it better and cheaper, and Woolies just couldn't compete. By January 5th all of its 815 stores will be closed and the 27,000 employees will be out of work. Not the best Christmas for them.

Sorry for my absence - I've been struck down with the Flu. Feeling better but not 100% yet.

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Dirty Washing

The people of Cheltenham are all going to smell as there is no where for them to do their washing. I guess its down to the River Chelt to wash clothes on the rocks then. Not strictly true, obviously, most people have washing machines. I suppose that is why this launderette is now closed. Like lots of towns and cities more and more places like this, and shops too, are closing their doors for the last time. Its a sign of the financial times.


This post reminds me that I must do some washing today!

Now Not Showing

The first film I ever saw at a cinema was here at the Odeon. It was 1982 and it was E.T, I was only small, so I don't remember much about it. My Uncle took me, it was Shrove Tuesday and when I got home I had pancakes. My Uncle likes embarrassing me by telling how I was more interested in the folding seats and the curtains (remember when cinema screens had curtains?) and how I was crying at the end!

The Odeon Cinema closed on the 5th November 2006 after 70 years in business. It was built on the site of the former Highbury Congregational Church in Winchcombe Street, the church was demolished in 1932. The art-deco building was originally called the Gaumont Palace Cinema, then changed to the Odeon a few years later. The cinema had just one large auditorium and hosted many live acts including the Beatles and, in 1964, The Rolling Stones (guitarist Brian Jones was born in Cheltenham). As demand for more films grew the cinema increased its screens to three and then more recently seven, dividing the huge Screen One (where I saw E.T) into three. Cheltenham used to have seven cinemas but over time only the Odeon survived. The main reason for its closure was the success of the Cineworld Multiplex at the Brewery development, it just couldn't compete.

Its sad to see this once great building lying empty and derelict. The site was purchased by Trinity Church for its expanding congregation for £2.5 million, with plans drawn up for redevelopment costing another £2.5 million! As yet nothing has started, though a local night club is now interested in the site.

And I still cry at the end of E.T!