The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 7 letter word CELLARS
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
C
E
L
L
A
R
S
Buddy explains!

The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does CELLARS mean?
CELLARS noun- An enclosed underground space, often under a building, used for storage or shelter.
- A wine collection, especially when stored in a cellar.
- Last place in a league or competition.
- Salt cellar
- A small dish for holding salt.