Cheltenham Borough Council Council

Wayfinding improvement project

Improving the directional signage for Cheltenham town centre

The wayfinding project has been ongoing for a number of years with the aim of improving the pedestrian and cycle networks around the town. The overall vision of the project is to create a system that can be viewed online at home, which then appears on signage around the town, helping both local residents and visitors navigate between destinations. A signage strategy was produced by a design consultancy and the first phase of signage was installed in 2014.

Regent Street planters project

The temporary reclaimed wood planters were designed by our townscape urban designer, manufactured by Hand and Craft Furniture and funded by the Welcome Back Fund to support and promote the safe return to high streets and help to build back from the pandemic.

Consultations took place in March and April 2021 regarding the temporary partial closure of Regent Street to create a vibrant and safe outdoor space for people to enjoy. Having taken on board all the comments, a suitable compromise has been reached to enable us to create an attractive area where people are able to enjoy shopping and relaxing whilst still maintaining social distancing if they wish to.

The planters were positioned into an "L" shape, along Regent Street to replace red and white plastic barriers. The works were completed in late August 2021. The extended pavement area was expected to be in place until 2 February 2023 along with the planters.

The perennial planting scheme provided a local habitat, increasing target species, improving urban air quality and increasing biodiversity.

This project provided a significant improvement to the street scene and created a safe and welcoming environment for visitors and customers to enjoy.

Clarence Fountain at Boots Corner

Creating an enhanced public space at Boots Corner

In December 2021, the council cabinet approved plans to invest in improvements to the Clarence Fountain plinth at Boots Corner. The aim was to transform the area into an appealing focal point for shoppers, businesses, residents, and visitors while encouraging biodiversity in the town centre.

The approved design included raised containers filled with plants and trees, improved seating, space for wheelchairs, and a step up to the top of the plinth. Curved wooden benches were integrated into the planters, and the layout was designed to create a welcoming and accessible space.

Construction began in March 2022, following Cheltenham Gold Cup week. During the works, the existing planter, bike rack, and electric scooter bay were temporarily relocated to the end of the pedestrianised section of the Promenade, opposite Martin and Co jewellers. Hoardings were installed around the plinth, restricting access to the south-east side, with pedestrian routes maintained around the north side. The works took approximately 10 weeks to complete.

What we achieved

The Clarence Fountain plinth now features elegant curved planters filled with trees, shrubs, and grasses, complemented by integrated seating and improved accessibility. The space has become a vibrant, green focal point in the heart of Cheltenham, offering a place for relaxation and social interaction while supporting biodiversity.

For any questions please email us: townscape@cheltenham.gov.uk.

Bath Road and Suffolk Street planters and cycle stands project

This was part of a number of environmental improvements in and near the Bath Road under the Connect Streets scheme, which is a joint initiative of several community groups - notably Cheltenham Connect, the St Philip and St James Area Residents Association, the Bath Road traders association and the council.

Plants were provided by Roots and Fruits and staff at the Co-op will be maintaining the Bath Road planters along with local residents who have volunteered to manage the after care of the Suffolk Street planter.

Pittville Gates restoration project

Cheltenham is a town with a heritage of national significance. Its most important building is the beautiful Pittville Pump Room, which is set in a landscaped park, and the Pittville Gates form the historic entrance to this park.

By 2011 the six stone gate piers and metalwork of Pittville Gates were in urgent need of repair, with the stone piers deteriorating, the metalwork being very rusty with paint flaking off, and some of the detailed decorations were missing. Also some sections of the historic metal gates were missing, having been removed during the second World War, as part of the war effort, and the existing light fittings which are attached to the stone pier were modern, unattractive and dated from the 1950s. The immediate landscaped area was also of a poor quality and unattractive appearance.

These gates are owned by Cheltenham Borough Council and are statutory listed. The poor repair and poor visual appearance of Pittville Gates impacted on the wider area of the town and in particular harmed the setting of Pittville Park and Pittville Pump Room.

Substantial restoration and repairs works were undertaken and completed in April 2015. This made an immediate significant improvement to this historic structure and this area of the town; and were funded by grant aid and fund raising. The estimated costs were £287,737 and the total money raised was £289,339 including grant aid of £225,463.

The restoration project was due to the hard work, determination and enthusiasm of the Friends of Pittville in association with Cheltenham Borough Council, particularly the property and conservation departments.

Cheltenham pigeon art project

It is said that Cheltenham’s spa water was discovered in 1716 when pigeons were found gathering and pecking around a spring near present day Bayshill Road. Ever since, the pigeon has been a symbol of Cheltenham’s spa water heritage, featuring as a motif on the Cheltenham Coat of Arms and as cast-iron finials atop the town’s fingerpost signs.

The finials atop the fingerpost signs, installed in 1995, were modelled on the Grade II listed gates at the entrance to Crippets Lane, which have been reputed to have once been at the entrance to the Old Well in Cheltenham. Following an upgrade in Cheltenham’s fingerpost signage, the old signs and finials were taken down. In 2014, some of the pigeon finials were auctioned for charity. Five years later, and with the new town signage now complete, the remaining finials became part of the Cheltenham Pigeon Art Project. Local artists were commissioned to embellish the finials as a way of celebrating Cheltenham's spa water heritage.

Following a successful exhibition at The Wilson Art Gallery & Museum, a selection of the pigeons were displayed in various locations along the High Street and Promenade.

For further information on Cheltenham’s local history, please visit The Wilson’s Cheltenham History Collection.

Completed projects