Sports fashion giant coming to Cheltenham

Sports-fashion giants JD Sports are hoping to open a ‘warehouse style’ store in Cheltenham, with the creation of 22 jobs.The international retailer who have 355 stores across the UK as well as outlets in East Asia have made an application to move into the former DFS store on the Gallagher Retail Park.The company currently have 85 warehouse style stores in retail parks across the UK, and their Cheltenham outlet would cover 730 square metres.The application made to Cheltenham Borough Council by developers Montagu Evans is for a variation to the existing permissions in unit FA on the site.Under a 2017 planning permission strict conditions were given to what could be sold from the unit.It stated that the unit could only be used for the “sale of carpets, furniture, electrical goods, DIY, maintenance and improvements for the home, garden and car.”The new application adds “sports and outdoor goods and equipment, sports and outdoor clothing and footwear.” To the list.JD Sports’ application states that 22 jobs will be created, seven of which will be full-time and for 15 part-time positions.The new store would be a near neighbour of Sports Direct who have a similar warehouse style outlet on the Gallagher Retail Park.The only JD Sports store currently in Gloucestershire is in the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Gloucester.The Gallagher Retail Park is owned by The Crown Estate, land and holdings owned by the reigning Monarch.Punchline says that the new store would be perfect for the Royal Family, now Prince Charles can pop into buy a pair of Adidas Sambas when he’s en route from London to Highgrove.