Baileys DIY said it has been forced to shut its Cheltenham store after being refused planning permission to sell balloons, toys and confectionery.

Ian Bailey, director of the company, spoke yesterday of his 'heartbreak' at having no choice but to close the family-business at Gallagher Retail Park.

The borough council's decision, made at a planning committee on February 21, has been met with anger and annoyance from many of our readers.


'Heartbreaking': Shock as Gloucestershire DIY superstore suddenly closes overnight

What our readers said

Laura Cornwell, a recent customer, said she was "gutted for them".

She said: "I went in for birthday balloons last weekend and was stood talking to his wife.

"Both she and the young guy that served me had better customer service than I've experienced in most shops in a very long time."

She added: "I wish them all the best. Another empty shop!"

Debbie Mayhow was equally "gutted" by the council's decision to shut down a healthy business.

"What is the world coming too - surely a business that's working is better than an empty store?", she said.

Vanessa Moore said: "It’s ludicrous that the council prefer a massive empty shop instead!"

Jude White was one of many readers to express her bewilderment at the council's decision.

She said: Was a good shop & had a big range of pet food at the rear at much lower prices - let's just have empty premises instead, great idea."

The Baileys DIY store at Gallagher Retail Park, Cheltenham

John Selby said the council's decision was "pathetic" and "near-sighted".

He said: "At the rate Cheltenham planning is going there won't be any pubs left, only more flats and houses and all the out of town shops will be empty due to the wrong products on the shelves. It's a pathetic and near-sighted decision."

Ronnie Kilcot expressed his exasperation at the "ridiculous council decision".

He said: "We use their Ross store regularly and its brilliant! As are their staff. It's a loss to Cheltenham for sure and a huge financial loss to Mr & Mrs Bailey who were employing 12 people...... where's the sense?

"I think the Council should be asked to rethink their decision without the couple having to pay the exorbitant fee for an appeal. Ridiculous council decision."

Danne Griffin said the council decision was "disgraceful".

She said: "Absolutely disgraceful from the council, they should be encouraging businesses to thrive and have competition in the marketplace."

She added: "Shame on you Cheltenham council. Good luck to the Bailey family."

Louise Banner said she was surprised at the store's closure and praised the store's friendly staff.

She said: "So sad to see another nice store close. The staff were very friendly and I thought Baileys would remain in Cheltenham for a few years."

Bev Edwards asked why the council couldn't give Baileys the option to continue without selling the prohibited sweets and balloons.

She said: "The general public decide where they like to shop by their footfall and they like to shop at Bailey's.

"That store was doing really well, by refusing planning permission, when no one has exclusive rights to those three products in the locality, and forcing a family business to close a thriving shop is disgusting.

"Putting people out of jobs, where are their morals? Couldn't they have given the option to the Bailey's to sell everything except those three products?

"I'm sure their business would have continued to thrive without sweets, balloons and such like."

The Gallagher Retail Park in Cheltenham
The Gallagher Retail Park in Cheltenham

Corinne Cleverley was equally baffled by the council's planning decision.

She said: "I’m upset this store is closing, it was a great addition to the retail park.
I’m also very sorry for the people that worked there, they went above and beyond when we visited and could not have been more helpful."

She added: "It’s sad that such good people have lost their jobs because of a poor and unfathomable (to me) decision by the council."

Most readers were sympathetic to the Baileys' situation but other readers suggested that the business accept some measure of responsibility for the planning refusal.

Matt England said: "I’m a bit confused. Why would a DIY store want to sell confectionary? If stock was “flying off the shelves,” why would it need to sell those items?

"Or was it that it was already selling them but didn't have permission to do so? If that’s the case what’s the point in planning permission in the first place? Sounds like a huge gamble to me."

Jerry Raikes sympathised with the Baileys predicament but suggested that planning regulations are there for a reason.

He said: "It's a shame, granted, and we need to fill the shops but it looks like they were trying to breach the planning to me, maybe they should have gone in the first place and declared what they wanted to sell as it's never really been a DIY shop has it?"

Baileys confirmed they will not be seeking an alternative site to re-open their store in Cheltenham.

The Baileys DIY store in Ross-on-Wye remains open.

We will contact Cheltenham Borough Council for a response to its decision on Monday.