Car park remains closed after fire saw cars trapped and shopping centre evacuated

A major town centre car park will remain closed today (Tuesday, July 2) after a vehicle fire saw a shopping centre evacuated. Gloucestershire Fire and Rescue Service were called to the Regent Arcade car park at around 2.45pm yesterday and were there until around 7.30pm.

The Regent Arcade shopping centre implemented its evacuation policy and plumes of thick black smoke were seen across the town. It meant many people had to wait a long time to be able to retrieve their vehicles.

Cheltenham Borough Council kept people informed in a series of messages on social media on Monday, initially advising people to avoid the area until further notice. People were warned it could take some time to get their cars due to the location of the blaze.

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Eventually, cars parked on all floors were able to leave the car park from the Regent Street entrance. People were urged to collect their cars and told the car park being closed today, with alternative car parking at Town Centre East in Grosvenor Terrace.

Parking had been limited at the Regent Arcade due to ongoing maintenance work at the 500-space car park. This started at the end of May and is due to last until September.

Fewer spaces are likely to impact on other car parks in town/ Cheltenham Borough Council has provided a list of alternative car parks here.

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