From today (Wednesday 2 December), Cheltenham is welcoming back locals and visitors after the second national lockdown as non-essential shops, restaurants, gyms, hotels and hair and beauty salons reopen under Tier 2 restrictions.
With its fantastic range of independent businesses, high-street favourites and vibrant food and entertainment scene, Cheltenham is a great place to eat, drink (with a substantial meal) and be merry this Christmas. Operating under social distancing requirements at reduced capacity, businesses across town promise an enjoyable and COVID19-secure experience, with many also offering virtual booking and queuing systems.
For more consumer information about visiting Cheltenham this Christmas, including travel and parking information and details of social distancing and hygiene measures, please browse Visit Cheltenham’s all-encompassing guide here.
Although the end of lockdown is good news for many of our businesses, the announcement is still hitting the hospitality sector hard as pubs and bars are unable to reopen unless operating as restaurants. Tier 2 also means it is not possible to meet other households inside, and the rule of six remains applicable both inside and outside. The tier system will be reviewed every two weeks from Wednesday 16 December.
Regular, good handwashing, wearing a face covering and keeping two meters apart continue to be essential steps for everyone to follow.
We would like to welcome back all of our BID businesses able to reopen and wish them a safe and successful Christmas trading period.
Information for businesses
Extended Hours
In a boost to the high street, Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced that retailers will be able to extend their daily opening hours from Monday to Saturday in the run-up to Christmas and through January.
It is hoped this extension will make socially distanced shopping easier and ease transport pressures.
Many large stores across Cheltenham have already announced they are extending their Christmas opening hours, including John Lewis and Partners, House of Fraser, Primark, M&S and the Regent Arcade. For more details, click here.
If you haven’t already, please email info@cheltenhambid.co.uk to let us know if you are extending your regular opening hours this Christmas.
Details of local and national grants
For businesses forced to close from 5 November 2020, click here for details of the national scheme.
To apply for the Discretionary Business Grant Scheme from Cheltenham Borough Council, click here. The deadline for applications is midnight on Wednesday 9 December.
For pubs that predominantly serve alcohol, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced yesterday (Tuesday 1 December) that an additional £1,000 Christmas grant for ‘wet-led pubs’ in tiers 2 and 3 will be available for those who will miss out on much-needed business during the busy Christmas period. Read more here.