Court Side

This is the side of the building that was once home to the County Court and has now stood empty for over three years. You can find it in the originally titled County Court Road!

Once again sorry for my absence on the old commenting rounds. I'm a busy boy this week.

Ornate Echoings

So there I was on Saturday, sitting in the hairdressers having my hair cut, while nursing a hangover from hell, and through bleary eyes I spotted this view out of the window. Divine inspiration struck. A photo opportunity and I had my camera with me! Here is the result. The ornate iron work that surrounds the window balcony echoing the ornate roof of Costa Coffee. I love it when a plan comes together.

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Chairs And Tables 3

This could also have been titled 'Shades Of Brown'!

This set of table and chairs were just begging to be photographed for the series started by Virginia at Birmingham, Alabama DP. They were just tucked off of the Prom, outside the recently opened Costa Coffee. Normally the tables are covered in empty cups and plates but someone was actually doing their job and cleared them off! As you can see Cheltenham is not as litter free as people think - look on the floor. Standards are slipping!

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Caffeine Fix

Costa Coffee has finally moved in. You may remember I posted on this place when it was still the Dobells pub and more recently I posted on the Coat of Arms above the door and now, to keep you all updated, here it is as a chain coffee shop. In true Cheltenham style I think it stands out from all those hundreds of other Costa's around the country. Don't ask me what the inside is like as I don't drink coffee or tea! I'll have to go in for a hot chocolate. I'll report back.

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Royal Coat Of Arms

'God and my right' is the translation of 'Dieu et mon droit' as seen on the bottom of the British Royal Coat of Arms. 'Honi soit qui mal y pense' is the motto on the Order of the Garter (the bit round the shield) and means 'Evil to him who evil thinks'.

Now all of this is a bit grand to be above the entrance to Costa Coffee, but that's what's coming our way. The building that used to be the Dobells pub is going to be turned into a coffee shop. I know what your thinking - all this is a bit grand to be above the door of a pub. And you're right. The building, which faces onto the Promenade, is on the back of the former County Court and my dad reckons that this Coat of Arms is above what used to be the former entrance to the judges residence. A bit more fitting.

Another thing about the Royal Coat of Arms - on the left of the shield is the English Lion and on the right is the Unicorn of Scotland. The unicorn is chained because in Medieval times it was believed that a free unicorn was a dangerous beast, only to be tamed by virgins!

I'm not sure if all this means that Costa Coffee will have the Royal Seal of Approval!

See You In Court

Well, not anymore. The now empty former County Court is just off Regent Street, in the originally named County Court Road, and used to be used as the Court for small claims. Cheltenham has its main Magistrates Court in a 1960's block just a few minutes away, and Gloucester has the Crown Court. Up until a few years ago the County Court in town was in full operation but the County Council decided that the cost of running repairs made it no longer affordable to keep. The Court merged with Gloucesters County Court, at the Docks, and since then the building has been empty. I don't know if it was sold off but there was talk of (another) pub chain taking it on. So it could be that time will be called at the bar!