Julian Dunkerton’s plan for No. 131 Promenade faces a crucial decision, amid concerns about the building’s heritage.
Julian Dunkerton owns No. 131, a luxury venue. He wants to add glazed structures and remove a conservatory, while also planning solar panels for the roof.
Locals object because it is a listed building, and Historic England opposes the plan. The Georgian Group and others agree, although some think it would improve Cheltenham’s Promenade. The council received 140 public comments.
Council officers advise rejecting the plan, and the Cheltenham Civic Society agrees. They say designs hide Regency villas. The final decision is due Thursday.
Dunkerton wants to enhance the venue, proposing a permanent terrace to replace the prior temporary setup. He says it would save jobs.
Andrew Booton chairs the Civic Society and is happy with the officer recommendation. He fears council members might ignore it, worrying about a bad precedent that could impact all Cheltenham buildings.
The Civic Society suggests alternatives, like restaurant pavilions at the back. Forecourts could serve refreshments beneath parasols, and temporary structures are another option for busy times.
Booton hopes Dunkerton takes the Society’s advice, offering help to design something suitable. But first, they want the unlawful tents removed.
Dunkerton says the plans are crucial for No. 131, adding that both options complement the area. He says he never intended to keep the tents.
He says people want an outdoor setting, and he studied other cities with architectural heritage. The marquees saved the business, and the plans address concerns about views.
He feels it’s a “choice between two positives”: It will save jobs and boost Cheltenham. He says the council’s refusal risks job losses, as losing the outdoor area endangers jobs.
The building’s economic future depends on trade. Dunkerton says the business must be viable and that the plan is positive for Cheltenham.
He says he spent £18 million on the site, which is a single, local business. People love Gin and Juice, he says, and he thinks it’s a jewel.