Decathlon confirms closure date for 20,000 sq ft flagship store in ‘dramatic loss’ to UK town centre

DECATHLON has confirmed the closure of its sprawling flagship site – and it’s in less than two weeks time. The megastore had been the French retailer’s first location in the south west of England. The sporting goods brand is set to shut its flagship branch by late August Credit: google Decathlon has announced its 20,000 sq ft megastore in Cheltenham will cease trading from August 29 – less than five years after it first opened. Located in Regent Arcade, the branch originally opened in 2021 at the site for a former BHS, and featured a range of sporting goods and outdoor equipment. Sign up for the Money newsletter Thank you! In an online statement, Decathlon confirmed that Click & Collect would no longer available from the Cheltenham branch, however home delivery would remain unaffected. It has not yet been confirmed what will replace the unit. Francesca Inman, the chief executive of Cheltenham Business Improvement District, said the loss of Decathlon was “dramatic” as it had been “a really distinctive part of the town centre since opening”. She added: “We’ve got a change in consumer habits and an increasingly competitive retail environment.” The closure of the French brand’s only Gloucestershire branch has also left residents “gutted” by the news. One shopper wrote: “It’s a real shame as we now have no sports store within the town centre.” Most read in Money Another said it was “no surprise” and it would “join the other empty shops there”. Customers will now have to travel to Oxford, Birmingham or Cardiff if they want to browse in-store. However the branch is offering a £10 voucher to spend online when shoppers spend £60 in store, prior to its closure. Comment now