Scaffolding is being erected for the removal of Cheltenham’s Regent Arcade bridge linking the shopping centre to Cavendish House – marking the start of works on a new rooftop restaurant with panoramic views over Regent Street.
This major transformation of Cheltenham town centre has been underway since Monday 16 March 2026, when work to construct the scaffolding first began.
Supporting the pedestrian bridge above the busy Regent Street, this initial phase is expected to take around two weeks, before careful demolition begins on one of the town centre’s most recognisable – and debated – structures.
Traffic management measures are in place to minimise disruption, with nearby businesses including KIBOU and Everyman Theatre continuing to trade as normal.
The bridge has linked Regent Arcade with Cavendish House since the 1980s and has long been a prominent feature of the street – housing the former Bridge Cafe and providing first-floor access between the centre and Cavendish House.
Widely criticised for detracting from Cheltenham’s Regency streetscape, its removal opens up redevelopment opportunities, including proposals for a new 2,500 sq ft restaurant with a balcony set to offer sweeping views across Regent Street.
Scott Lahive, centre manager at Regent Arcade, previously described the plans as ‘a positive boost’ for Cheltenham, with the new restaurant expected to offer ‘the best views on Regent Street’.
The project forms part of wider ambitions to revitalise the Cavendish House site, which has been closed since January 2026, with the removal of the bridge also signalling a decoupling of the shopping centre from the former department store building – both owned by Canada Life Asset Management.
By opening up sightlines along Regent Street and improving the streetscape at ground level, the work is expected to create a more attractive and accessible gateway into the town centre.
This marks the first visible step in reimagining one of Cheltenham’s most prominent town centre streets, with further details on the future of Cavendish House expected later in 2026.
