The Agora Group is Cheltenham Civic Society’s Think Tank for exploring ideas, opportunities, responses and consultations.
It takes its name from the Ancient Greek word, Agora, meaning an assembly or gathering place – the centre of athletic, artistic, spiritual, commercial and political life in a city.
The health of the town centre
In the light of the Covid-19 crisis and the dramatic impacts that it is having on retailing, the Agora Group’s main current interest is the health of the town centre – not the physical state of it (for which see Successful Streets) but its commercial health and long-term sustainability.
Through the Agora Group, the Civic Society is working with Cheltenham Borough Council and the Cheltenham BID to encourage new uses that will help to bring new life to the town centre.