Sports retailer Decathlon announces shock closure of Cheltenham store
Summary
Decathlon will close its doors in Cheltenham town centre at the end of the month. The sports retailer opened in Regent Arcade less than five years ago – in December 2021. Now a sign in the window confirms it will close on Saturday, August 29, and offers customers a £10 voucher to spend online when they spend £60 in store.
Details
It was reported in June that Decathlon had posted a 9.6% rise in turnover to £285.5m for the year to 31 December 2025. The company closed six underperforming stores between late 2024 and the end of 2025, so it would appear that Cheltenham has joined its list of underperforming locations.
Decathlon stocks products for a wider range of sports and outdoor activities than many sports retailers – including camping and equestrian, as well as the usual football and running. It is also big on sustainability, with rental schemes for everything from skiwear to kayaks, and a sports gear buyback scheme. Punchline-Gloucester.com said: “This is a sad loss to Cheltenham.
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For anyone who loves sport, not just sportswear, Decathlon was far better than shopping online and its own brand products are good value and good quality. But with Go Outdoors opening in the former Wilko in October last year, maybe Cheltenham isn’t big enough to sustain two large sports and outdoor stores. “Losing Decathlon will leave a big hole in Regent Arcade.
Filling that space with a good quality retailer won’t be easy. Cheltenham can’t afford to lose too many quality national chains.” Decathlon is a French business, which launched in 1972 and has stores in 82 countries. It is widely recognised as the largest sporting goods retailer in the world.
Report source: Punchline Gloucester