'Concerns' as marquee replaced outside historic hotel

"Serious concerns" have been raised about a new outdoor dining area outside a prominent hotel following a four-year planning row.

The permanent terrace has replaced controversial marquees outside the Grade II listed venue No 131 in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, which is owned by Superdry co-founder Julian Dunkerton.

Cheltenham Civic Society said it was "seriously concerned" about the new structure, and believed there were "a number of significant differences" from the plans approved in 2025.

A Cheltenham Borough Council spokesperson said it was reviewing the terrace and "working closely with the applicant". Dunkerton's Lucky Onion Group, which owns the hotel, has been approached for comment.

White marquees, described by the civic society as "tatty tents", were installed outside the hotel during the Covid pandemic in 2020 under temporary measures.

A long-running planning battle then erupted in 2022, when the measures ended but the marquees remained.

In February 2025, councillors approved planning permission for the hotel to build a slim metal pergola with a retractable roof, as part of the outdoor dining area.

However, chiefs at the civic society believe there are "a number of significant differences" between the new structure and the artist impression used in the planning documents.

The pergola has split opinion locally, with resident Sarah Webster telling BBC Radio Gloucestershire: "I don't particularly like them... It's not an improvement, no improvement at all.

"Cheltenham lives on the fact that we've got some beautiful buildings and he's just covering them up."

Meanwhile Jean Green described the new structure as "wonderful".

"Everything new needs to be appreciated," she added. "I think whatever they do here is thought about, it's lovely."

A Cheltenham Civic Society spokesperson said "permission to build something does not amount to permission to build something different, no matter how seemingly minor the changes".

"Where a developer departs from what has been approved, the council must be prepared to act decisively, especially in a location of such exceptional heritage significance," they added.

A council spokesperson said the authority had a legal responsibility to make sure works were carried out "in accordance with the approved plan".

They also confirmed they were "aware of concerns" in relation to No 131.

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