TRADERS claim they were left out of the loop over proposals to redevelop their shops.
A masterplan which would see the old Odeon cinema torn down and the Haines and Strange car dealership replaced by 100 homes has been put together by developer Leckhampton Estates.
It has also included ideas for the row of shops in Albion Street in its revamp blueprint after discussions with the borough council.
But it has made it clear that it would only put the full proposals into action if the current landlords sold the units.
Shop owners admitted they were not told about the masterplan – leaving many to first learn of the proposals for the two sites in the Echo.
The shops received letters from their landlords to ease their fears, but retailers said they would have liked to have been told in person.
Lee Morrison, co-owner of Albion Independent Tattoo Studio, was unconvinced the development would go ahead.
He said: "We have been hearing all of these ideas and stories for years.
"The developer doesn't have any hold on these shops so we have been told to ignore it.
"If it is just a case of developing behind, that would be great."
The plans would see 40 houses and 40 flats built on the abandoned Haines and Strange car dealership while the cinema would be replaced with six shops, seven flats and five town houses. The Albion Street shops would be revamped as well.
Ben Fardon, owner of the Proud Lion comic shop, said he would like to have been kept more informed of the plans.
He said: "These are the third set of plans that I have seen and so far they haven't come to anything because money isn't as abundantly available as it once was.
"We have had a letter from our landlord telling us not to worry and saying that we will hear from him first.
"If they are able to do it, the rents in these shops will obviously be much higher, so where will that leave us to go?
"Do we need more shopping units when a lot of the Beechwood Shopping Centre is empty?
"The area does need to be smartened up, but there still needs to be a place for us.
"The money we make stays in Cheltenham, whereas the money taken by chain stores just goes to head office."
Johnathan O'Connell, owner of Silken Threads in Albion Street, added: "We weren't told anything before the story came out."
