Cheltenham independent shops, cafes and restaurants

‘A small business is an amazing way to serve and leave an impact on the world you live in,’ Nicole Snow, bestselling author

Over the coming weeks and months, thousands of visitors will descend upon the glorious Regency town of Cheltenham as it provides a feast of festivals to satisfy music, science, jazz, literature, food and drink enthusiasts.

But as tents are put up and dismantled, talks listened to, books bought, new culinary experiences tasted and fresh social connections made, there is a troop of stalwarts which remain once the shows are over.

Cheers, claps and standing ovations are no doubt part of this spa town’s history as crowds and audiences have applauded royalty, racecourse and rock stars over the decades. But today it’s the turn of the unsung heroes to take their bow – so raise your glass, dear reader, to Cheltenham’s wonderful eclectic array of independent businesses that have faithfully served both local and visitor alike. Some for 200 years.

Historical picture of Martin & Co, which has been in Cheltenham for almost 220 years. Photo: Martin & Co Based in The Promenade, the jewellers Martin & Co, as it quite rightly boasts, has been the epitome of ‘timeless elegance’ since 1806 – which means it has faithfully served customers during the multiple reigns of kings and queens, endless wars, recessions and fashions.

During George III’s reign, a clockmaker named Samuel Martin opened the business on The Strand in Cheltenham and in 1838, Queen Victoria presented Martin & Co with a royal warrant. Three years later it moved to its current location on The Promenade, a 19th century tree-lined avenue popular for wealthy guests of the then Sherborne Spa (later the Imperial Spa). The Promenade is still regarded as one of the UK’s best preserved and most beautiful thoroughfares.

There have been many memorable moments at Martin & Co – including many years making the prestigious Gold Cup, the jewel of the National Hunt Racing calendar.

However, for the team, they say the most enjoyable times are when the next generation of customers visit the store.

‘It is wonderful following their journeys from christening gifts to ruby jewellery for their 40th anniversary, not forgetting engagement rings – often we know before the fiancée to be!’ says Alexandra Dimmer, who with her brother Jonathan, is the fifth generation to join the business.

Martin & Co today. Photo: Martin & Co ‘We hope to continue to serve Cheltenham, the Cotswolds and visitors from further afield to celebrate life’s most important occasions and to offer our valued customers a wonderful experience that they’ll never forget.’

This family is now celebrating its sixth generation as Jonathan’s daughter, Maia Dimmer, now works alongside her dad, grandfather and aunt.

‘It’s really special,’ says Maia. ‘I do love jewellery, and I enjoy working alongside my family. It’s so nice to carry on the business especially as it has been going for so long. It would be so sad to see it stop at my dad.

‘It’s great that we have stayed strong for so many years and to be one of, if not the oldest business in Cheltenham. It’s a well-recognised business and we have people coming in saying their grandfather knew my grandfather. It is very well connected,’ she adds.

Not many family businesses are still recognised for their specialist professionalism after almost 220 years. But whether it is two years, 20 or 200, there is a key word which connects the plethora of independents in Cheltenham and that is loyalty.

Gina Stradis and Sarah-Jane Worboys of Bodega on Suffolk Parade. Photo: Tracy Spiers Loyal to their trade, loyal to their customer, they often go the extra mile to provide that one-to-one service, which is second to none. Take Bodega, an independent womenswear store in Suffolk Parade, which offers affordable clothes and accessories but also a caring, personal touch. Customers come back even if they travel miles because the Bodega team takes take to help find the perfect outfits for the season or special event.

As owner Sarah-Jane Worboys folds jeans on the Victorian-built mahogany wooden dresser (it matches the counter) and opens a drawer to drop the coat hangers in, I realise it is no ordinary drawer.

‘This is where the loose tea used to be kept. All our furniture is listed and can’t be removed from the shop. It used to be a grocery store (A Whittern and Sons for more than 140 years) and they would deliver to customers even if they only ordered a banana. Now that was service!’ admits Sarah-Jane.

‘Being in the Suffolks is very different to town centre shopping, I would say it is slow shopping. We have become part of the local community; the customers are our friends, and we have monthly style events in store and have just hosted an exclusive fashion show and silent disco in The Suffolks, with customers across three generations modelling for us!’

Andria Dankovic, owner of Andria’s on Great Norwood Street. Photo: Tracy Spiers Not far away is Andria’s, a café in Great Norwood Street, serving award-winning signature bacon sandwiches, delicious healthy vegan soups, salads, and scrumptious toasties. Andria Dankovic knows her customers and certainly knows how to cook.

‘The community is what I love about being here,’ she says. ‘I have so many loyal customers who have become my friends.’

Bridget Capon from Newmans and Bloodworths hardware shop, Bath Road. Photo: Tracy Spiers And there’s that word again: “loyal”. It’s a two-way street between customer and shop owner. Moving into Bath Road, one place of nostalgia and living history is Newmans and Bloodworths – a traditional hardware shop, selling everything from DIY tools, cleaning materials, lightbulbs and pet food – which has been serving generations since 1842. Bridget Capon has been working there for 28 years, so it goes without saying she has some funny stories to tell…

‘I have had some young apprentices come in with a shopping list, asking for a left-hand screwdriver and a bubble for a spirit level,’ she laughs.

‘Our elderly customers particularly love it because they enjoy seeing the old-fashioned products we have here. It is a shop full of nostalgia and well supported by the community.’

Foodie lovers visiting Cheltenham are spoilt for choice. There are the Michelin Stars, of course – namely elegant innovative fine dining of Lumiere Restaurant in Clarence Parade, and Le Champignon Sauvage in The Suffolks, both run by husband-and-wife teams. Other incredible independent restaurants such as L’Artisan, KIBOU, The Nook on Five, No 131, and Prithvi, provide tantalising dishes from around the world. These are only a taste of what the town has to offer.

Chloe Bryan from Curious Cafe & Bistro, and adjoining Curious Deli, with the Scotch egg loyalty card. Photo: Tracy Spiers I don’t have time for fine dining today. I just need something to fill a hole while running around the town to interview folk. I opt for a scrumptious bacon, brie and honey Scotch egg from The Curious Deli on Bath Road, which is ‘joined at the hip’ to Curious Café & Bistro – both owned by mother and daughter Gemma and Chloe Bryan. Their fabulous orange-and-blue exterior décor draws the curious in, and they are not disappointed by the hearty breakfasts, homemade cakes and exquisite burgers, but more importantly welcoming atmosphere and lovely garden. I come away from their deli, proudly clutching my Scotch egg loyalty card – such a brilliant idea, which indicates these eggs are good, really good. With my first egg stamped, I promise to return.

Charlie Johnson, assistant manager at Bath Road Beers. Photo: Tracy Spiers Independents are the treasure of any town, but in Cheltenham – which has its fair share of High Street giants – they are particularly special; customers sniff them out. They discover that unique gift, toy or card that makes them laugh out loud from Emporium in Bath Road, or speciality beer from Bath Road Beers, which stocks 450 of the finest drinks, handpicked from some of the world’s greatest producers, including local breweries or some as far away as New Zealand. As David Theobald, owner of Emporium, states:

David Theobald, owner of Emporium, Bath Road. Photo: Tracy Spiers ‘Independents have the flexibility to change their stock and sell items that people don’t see everywhere. Since COVID I think people have intentionally shopped locally and value what it is on their doorstep.’

And there are some new arrivals too. The historic and iconic region of Montpellier (where you will find Caryatids, stone sculptures modelled on the Acropolis in Athens) is a destination area full of independent fashion, antiques, lifestyle boutiques, galleries, cafes and wine bars. Loaf & Co in Rotunda Terrace is a new traditional Cotswold sandwich deli specialising in open, ciabatta sourdough sandwiches or baguettes with top notch fillings: the Okono chicken, the meaty one, meatball Mariana or the tofu crunch to name but a few.

Holly Plumpton of Loaf & Co, Rotunda Terrace. Photo: Tracy Spiers There’s a great sense of community here, where each business is unique, adding their contribution to a fascinating shopping experience. Pink Vintage in Montpellier Street is an award-winning business owned by Paul and Silvia O’Neill. It’s pink and full of edgy interiors, jewellery and art, including Silvia’s bold cheerful abstracts.

Paul O’Neill of Pink Vintage, Montpellier Street. Photo: Tracy Spiers ‘We came here from London in 2012 and felt this part of Cheltenham had a London feel about it. We loved the architecture and the fact it had so many independents. We are part of this community, and we enjoy being here,’ says Paul.

‘I think people like to find something a bit different. We can source things you cannot find anywhere else.’

Liz Valenti’s Tunnock Teacake paper shoes in the Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen shop. Photo: Tracy Spiers If time is of an essence, step into Gloucestershire Guild of Craftsmen’s showcase shop in Rotunda Terrace and you’ll find more than 70 independent designer makers represented, both local and further afield. There’s glass, jewellery, ceramics, textiles, furniture, leatherwork and basketry, all made by gifted individuals, which collectively is literally awe-inspiring. There’s something fresh to see every time you visit. On this occasion I spot some exquisite paper shoes made from wrappings of a Tunnocks tea cake by Liz Valenti, and coastal colour work of ceramicist Emily-Kriste Wilcox. The joy, the vibrancy, the talent in this delightful shop is enough to lift any flagging spirit on a dull day.

Ceramicist Emily-Kriste Wilcox at the Gloucestershiire Guild of Craftsmen shop on Rotunda Terrace. Photo: Tracy Spiers So too are the various masterpieces on show in the abundance of art galleries (Paragon, Spring Cheltenham, Sixteen) in Montpellier and nearby streets. In Park Gallery in Montpellier Avenue, Darren Chandler represents the work of emerging and established artists, all who are incredibly gifted. I’m blown away by The Spirit of Iberia, an Andalusian horse rearing on its hind legs by David Lloyd Collins and So I’ve Herd, a wonderfully textured and expressive painting of a cow, certainly a familiar character in the Cotswolds landscape.

Park Gallery owner Darren Chandler, with the work of David Lloyd Collins. Photo: Tracy Spiers Darren bought Park Gallery during the pandemic and has created a welcoming and relaxing space for people to enjoy the ever-changing diverse selection of contemporary art on display, including paintings, sculptures, glass, bronze, and ceramic pieces.

The Montpellier caryatids. Photo: Tracy Spiers ‘It gives me a sense of pleasure to represent the artists I do. I want them to sell their artwork. It’s selling with a bit of soul, not just a cold exchange of art and money,’ says Darren.

He admits it has been tough for independent businesses in what has been a hard economic climate.

‘We do feel the pinch at times. I encourage people to keep supporting our local independents. If we don’t, we will lose them.’

He’s right of course. So, I return to the key word: loyalty. As the independent traders are loyal to you, Cheltenham, please be loyal to them.

Funky street furniture on Bath Road, Cheltenham. Photo: Tracy Spiers