“Great Idea for a Care Village! Hopefully these retirement flats will be affordable.”

“As an elderley person, I am delighted to learn that a Care village is going to be built in Cheltenham, great idea! My husband and I will sell our home to move into a flat where we can have 24 hour care should we require and further 24 security is very attractive! There are many care villages around in Australia and some also in Europe, elderely people derserve to have a peaceful life. Plans look magnificient! The Care village will have all the facilites which would be welcomed by the residents.”

“Cheltenham deserves a superb Care Village, the location is perfect for a Care Village. The drawings look modern in keeping with the surrounding. Can't wait to see it being built and I hope to put myself forward for a fantastic retirement home without having to worry about any security issues, and in time if I am unable to care for myself go into a home next door. The facilites listed are appealing. I will be supporting this project for cheltenham. Will be waiting for Planning to be submitted as I will support it 100%. People should think about the aging population. Cheltenham deserves it!”

“At last Cheltenham will have a 5star home for elderly which is welcomed! The site is not a proper cricket pitch and just a wasteland. Cheltenham deserves a care village of high standard.”

“I am speaking up on behalf of many members that have expressed their sadness and disapointment regarding the closure of Arle Court.
This site is in the local community, where members have been coming for social and sports events spanning many years.
Many members are of advancing years and do not drive...this site has been their local meeting place for up to 50 years...!! Where do these people go now?
I have spoken to many members and they are really upset, as they have nowhere to go, that is local.
The government talk about how important community is... Well this action has just stabbed it right through the heart...!!
I hope certain people remember the rest of us, after this is all done...but i guess they won't...after all, IT'S THE PEOPLE WHO CARE THAT GET HURT...!!”

“To respond to the comment made by MadMan below, it is my understanding that DSS has in fact invested in the Arle site over the years, however the building suffers from subsidence and concrete cancer ¿ both of which should have been the responsibility of the landlord in my opinion, had a fair lease been put in place at the outset 10 years ago. I understand that in the past year alone, a new boiler has had to be installed and a gas main leak had to rectified involving expensive digging up of the car park. Let¿s not forget too that a major refurbishment of the main hall and bar was carried only a couple of years ago. The unbelievably high dilapidation demand certainly seems to include many major items that would normally have been the Landlords responsibility. It appears that DSS have carried out ongoing repairs throughout its tenure but the building is at an age where there is always much to be done on a restricted budget. The management have done a fair job in my opinion.”

“A word of warning lest you believe the offer from the landlord is our silver lining! Half of the money is totally out of the control of both DSS and to a large degree the Landlord too. Who can say how outline planning approval will go (and only if successful would £60k become payable to DSS). Then, the final stage payment when the first turf is turned, £40k would be payable to DSS ¿ that could be many years away! The club will need to trade with utmost care. Clearly we cannot simply rely upon what the Landlord promises! Calling all members - now more than ever the clubs need you to support as many of the excellent activities and sporting facilities that you can.”

“DSS intends to survive this chapter, with as many of the events and activities carried on at the Arle Court club being transferred to either Staverton or Ashchurch clubs. This will need to be carefully planned to maximise both benefits to the members, and the needs of the business. At the EGM last week, a vacation date of 31st August was discussed. This is unrealistic and makes for an impossible situation in trying to transfer the business without serious risk of cancellation of important events that will either not transfer due to non-availability of dates, or where the customers simply will not move outside of Cheltenham. The club needs all the support and business it can muster, so why put so much in jeopardy? Surely the situation could be negotiated to allow trading to continue until the year end, with vacation first week of January. Planning application isn¿t even in process yet, so why should this be an issue? Remember, the club needs your support now more than ever!”

“I have been a Dowty sports Tennis member for 12 years and i am very sad by the closing of Arle court club . we often complain about anti social behaviour by our youths but if we keep closing all our sporting facilities the situation will only ever get worse .”

“Arle court has been at the heart of a community for years, providing sports and social facilities for all ages.This loss could easily have been avoided if only a more diligent management team had adhered to the terms of the lease.Over the past 10 years DSS group have failed to make the most basic of repairs to ensure compliance with the lease terms culminating in this years bill reaching an estimate of 300k.Combined with near zero funds the group had no alternative but to walk away from Arle Court or face prosecution.To ease the pain the group has been offered a deal potentially worth 200k to help regenerate Staverton and Ashchurch which are both in need up updating.Its hard to see 200k going far when nearly 300k of cash flow has dwindled away over recent years with little or no explanation.At a meeting earlier this year local residents and members expressed their concerns to this proposal with would possibly explain why we were only given 8 weeks notice to vacate the premises.”