Operating from the heart of Cheltenham, Cavendish House has earned its place as a stalwart of The Promenade.
But after more than 200 years of trading, including 54 years under the ownership of House of Fraser, the store is preparing to close its doors in 2024, selling all of its stock with 20 per cent off in the process.
It will close its doors for the final time in 10 weeks' time, locking up no later than the second week in April 2024.
Staff received the news about the closure yesterday. A team member, who did not want to be named, said: 'We're absolutely gutted. We've got to carry on doing what we can over the next few weeks but when you think about the fact that Cavendish House has been open for more than 200 years, it's just devastating.'
Back in 2018, House of Fraser went into administration, announcing that creditors had failed to secure a sale with interested investors, and had appointed administrators — however a statement from the administration firm EY, confirmed Sports Direct had completed a sale of ‘substantially all of the group’s business assets’ for £90 million.
Unfortunately, the Fraser's group has almost halved in size from 59 stores since it was bought out of administration by Mike Ashley's group back in August 2018 — with Guildford, Solihull and Cheltenham being amongst the most recent announced closures.
House of Fraser has long offered many brands across womenswear, fashion accessories, menswear, homeware, and beauty with brand names include Biba, Ted Baker, Mint Velvet, French Connection, Gant, Ralph Lauren, Whistles, Dior, Elemis, Estee lauder, YSL and more; along with two in-store restaurants, Caffe Nero on the ground floor and Café Zest on the first floor.
The firm intends to cut its total number of outlets from 59 to 31 over the coming months.
Gloucestershire's other House of Fraser store in Cirencester closed down in January 2019.
