Cheltenham GAP forced to assess safety

A busy store in the heart of Cheltenham has been forced to look at the safety of its building after part of its roof collapsed.

Staff and shoppers were forced to evacuate GAP, in the Promenade, when part of the ceiling gave way and fell on top of a female shopper in August.

Now, store bosses have asked Cheltenham Borough Council for permission to refurbish the shop to prevent a repeat.

According to a planning statement submitted to officers, about 36sqm of the plaster ceiling has already fallen down.

The report by Hayles and Howe said: "We were requested to survey the GAP shop after a fall of plaster alerted the occupiers that problems existed in the rear sales area.

"The plaster ceiling in the rear of the shop appears to have been executed around the 1930s. It is very friable and low quality, making it far more liable to detach and fall."

A separate report also found an unstable parapet wall and loose render on the outside of part of the building, which could have been caused by water leaking from a gutter.

Although no major structural problems were discovered, inspectors recommended regular maintenance checks to ensure the building remains safe.

Robert Pragnall, of Gyoury Self Consulting Engineers, said: "We understand the store is to be refurbished.

"After this has taken place, a scheduled maintenance programme should be implemented to prevent future problems occurring and to provide early warning of any maintenance works required. The work should include regular inspection of roof spaces to check for water penetration and regular cleaning of gutters."

Inspectors also found asbestos in some of the roof tiles, which GAP intends to replace.

In its planning statement, GAP said the external appearance of the building would not change, but planning permission is still needed to replace the wall and rendering.