The Daffodil Cinema, crafted by the renowned local architect Leonard William Barnard, exhibits Edwardian Free Style architecture with Baroque Revival flourishes. With seating for 750 patrons, the cinema, originally named the Daffodil Picture House, debuted on October 5, 1922.
After its tenure as a movie theatre ended in 1963, the building transitioned into a bingo hall, then a showroom for antiques and furniture, and was eventually remodelled into a restaurant in 1998. Following a difficult five-year span, the restaurant shut its doors for good in 2023.
The property is located in Montpellier, a premium area at the heart of Cheltenham, measuring 7,177 square feet (667 square meters) and set on a plot of 0.136 acres. It is available for sale either with no conditions attached or based on obtaining future planning permission.
The building comprises two properties at 18-20 and 21 Suffolk Parade, with the former offering 6,135 square feet (570 square meters) of space—with planning permission for any commercial, business and service activities approved in January 2024—and the latter, at 1,042 square feet (97 square meters), approved for transformation into a single residential home in October 2023.
Jemima Upton, a senior surveyor from Savills South Central Development team, said:
“The Daffodil is a striking and notable structure, rich in design elements that echo the art deco era. Its availability for purchase is an exceptional chance to revitalize a well-known building through careful conversion and/or redevelopment.
“Its proximity to the town centre and position in the affluent and coveted area of Montpelier positions it to be ideally suited for residential redevelopment.”
Savills is inviting offers, with or without planning conditions, to be submitted by midday on Wednesday, June 5, 2024.
