Residential Conversion Proposed for Former Iconic Restaurant Site

An application has been submitted by the owner of a restaurant, previously a filming location for the BBC series Sherlock, seeking approval to transform the premises into a four-bedroom residence. The Daffodil, situated in Cheltenham and formerly operating as both a cinema and a bingo hall, encountered business difficulties after resuming operations subsequent to the Covid 19 lockdowns. Croft Capital UK Asset Management Limited stated that the proposed conversion would facilitate the re-utilization of a currently vacant structure. The establishment originally commenced operations in 1922 as a cinema, featuring seating capacity for 750 individuals. Its design was attributed to the notable Cheltenham architect Leonard William Barnard, incorporating curved windows on its facade, a mosaic threshold illustrating daffodils, and grand interior staircases ascending to the first-floor balcony. The cinema ceased operations in 1963, after which the building functioned as a bingo hall for a period of 14 years, followed by its use as a furniture showroom and store until 1996. In 1998, it reopened as a restaurant, reinstating its Art Deco interior. The premises served as a filming location in 2013 for an episode of the BBC drama Sherlock, titled The Empty Hearse. Subsequent to the Covid 19 lockdowns, the business encountered difficulties upon its reopening and, despite hosting several Cheltenham Jazz Festival events, permanently ceased operations in December 2023. The current proposals outline a design featuring a spacious living area and kitchen on the lower ground floor, two bedrooms equipped with walk-in wardrobes on the first floor, and an additional two bedrooms on the second floor. Malcolm Blunt, a neighbor and previous owner, expressed in a letter of objection to the proposal his hope that the present planning officers would demonstrate a commitment to safeguarding and maintaining The Daffodil. Conversely, Karl Maguire, an employee at a stationery shop on the identical street, characterized The Daffodil as a “big empty void.” He further commented, “It would be a shame to lose it to housing, but equally it’s a long time without it being anything.” Further reporting was contributed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.