In December we invited all BID retail and hospitality businesses with shopfronts to take part in this year’s Christmas Window Competition. This was a chance to showcase your creativity, show off your shop, spread festive cheer, and get featured on Cheltenham BID’s social channels!
We’re thrilled to finally reveal our third, second and first place winners! A huge thank you to every business who took part — the creativity, effort and festive spirit on display was next level. You truly helped make our town sparkle this Christmas!
Winners were chosen based on total engagement across the BID’s Instagram posts, with extra love given to comments, shares and saves to celebrate the most meaningful interactions.
Massive congratulations to:
- 1st place – Ellis & Kirkpatrick Opticians
- 2nd place – Loft & Spires
- Runner up – Cheltenham Animal Shelter Charity Shop
- Participants – Jigsaw, Sostrene Grene, Natwest, Park Gallery, Linc Charity, Gloucestershire Guild, Pdsa, Rosa’s Thai, Vinegar hill, Decathlon, ART Café, Nuyu Dental and Aesthetics, Food Loose, The Cheeseworks, Sanctuary & Sage LTD, Lakeland, Freckleface, Art Union, 4 Montpellier, Charles Clinkard Avenue
The competition on our BID Instagram page Cheltenham BID (@cheltbid) reached 12,282 people, had 13,303 people engage, with 457 new followers. We believe this will have inspired people to visit Cheltenham, your shops and experience the festivities.
In addition to this brilliant coverage of your windows across BID Instagram, we:
- Tagged your business into our BID post and invited you to share
- Invited @VisitChelt team to share on their Instagram
- Collaborated with Influencer Vicky @The_Cotswolder who kindly did her own video
- Posted a finale video on our Instagram today and tagged you in
- Featured it on our website Cheltenham BID Cheltenham BID’s Christmas Window – Cheltenham BID
- We added the story in our December E-newsletter and are announcing the results in our BID January E-newsletter.
With twinkling lights, artisan markets, an enchanting undercover ice rink and entertainment for visitors of all ages, The Festival Town gets an extra sparkle this festive season.
From late November through into the New Year, local residents and visitors to the Regency town of Cheltenham can enjoy an enticing mix of shopping, dining and entertainment. Alongside traditional Christmas favourites like the annual pantomimes, Cheltenham Ice Rink in Imperial Gardens and Christmas markets, there’s a packed calendar of events to look forward to.
Here are some of the highlights:
Festive events Christmas in Cheltenham officially begins on 22 November with free festivities at The Brewery Quarter Christmas Launch Party and Pittville Pump Room Christmas Lights Switch On. With live music, family entertainment, a visit from Father Christmas and even a flurry or two of snow, it’s the ideal way to get the celebrations started.
The magical Cheltenham Ice Rink returns to Imperial Gardens from 21 November–4 January with a new look and even more themed sessions. This wheelchair-accessible covered rink is the perfect place to make memories with family and friends, whatever your age and ability – including non-skaters who can watch the action from the comfort of the café with a hot drink and delicious, sweet treats.
There are special sessions for Little Gliders (ages 3–5), Relaxed Glides for skaters with SEN, Student Nights and Grown-Up Glides for adults. And new for 2025 are themed music nights, Patch sessions where experienced skaters can show off their skills, and character sessions for little ones featuring their favourite superheroes and princesses.
Cheltenham is world famous for its horse racing, and there are three exciting events to choose from this festive season. The November Meeting on 14-16 November is racing ultimate weekender, commencing with Countryside Day on the Friday, before diving into Super Saturday and finally Carnival Sunday, a community celebration of racing, music, and family fun. The Christmas Meeting on 12–13 December kicks things off with family fun on the Saturday, including a visit from Santa himself. And the New Year’s Day Racing is the perfect way to blow away any cobwebs, with entertainment, food and drink alongside the thrilling race action.
Just outside Cheltenham, you can take an enchanted walk in search of Excalibur on the Spectacle of Light trail at Sudeley Castle in Winchcombe. The gardens and grounds of this historic castle are illuminated with thousands of gleaming lights, with ‘The Court of King Arthur’ as this year’s theme.
Or go back in time to the Golden Age of rail travel with a ride on the Gloucestershire–Warwickshire Steam Railway. Their popular Santa Express family trips are selling fast, but you can also take a relaxing scenic day trip from Cheltenham to Broadway on board their Mince Pie Specials after Christmas.
Theatre and live entertainment
A trip to the panto is a real Christmas tradition, and this year the Everyman Theatre puts a hilarious spin on Robin Hood and His Merry Men, featuring local legend Tweedy the Clown. And there’s more silliness and sparkle at the Playhouse Theatre, where Dick Whittington sets out from Gloucester to find fame and fortune in London.
You can also enjoy a classic Dickens Christmas or head out on an underwater adventure with The Little Mermaid, both at the Everyman. And the much-loved seasonal ballet The Nutcracker transports visitors from the Bacon Theatre to the mythical Land of Sweets.
One new family show not to miss for 2025 is Santa – The Visit at the Centaur at Cheltenham Racecourse. This brand-new event, created by Strictly Come Dancing star Craig Revel Horwood, sees Santa leaving the snowy North Pole behind to head to Cheltenham on a special mission.
Or adults can party the night away at Deck the Hall, a festive set by legendary DJ Chris Moyles at Cheltenham Town Hall. Expect 90s and 00s anthems, Christmas classics and feel-good favourites.
Christmas markets and independent shopping Cheltenham’s historic Promenade sees the return of its Christmas markets this winter. The Christmas Gift Market from 20–23 November features 40 chalets selling homewares, gifts and plenty of tempting seasonal food and drink. That’s followed by a traditional Arts and Crafts Market from 11–23 December, where you can shop for glassware, jewellery, pottery and artworks created by local artisans while you keep warm with a steaming cup of mulled wine.
There’s also The Suffolks Christmas Market on 30 November, taking place in this charming neighbourhood just outside the town centre. As well as stalls from designers and makers there will be tasty street food, carol singing, kids’ entertainment and a special guest appearance from Father Christmas.
You can also shop for unique gifts in Cheltenham’s independent boutiques – Montpellier and The Suffolk’s are great places to browse, with plenty of delicious cafés and restaurants to refresh and refuel in. You’ll find many High Street favourites in Cheltenham too, including John Lewis.
Travel and accessibility
A trip to Cheltenham makes an ideal festive day out. It’s easily accessed from Bristol or Birmingham in less than an hour by train, or it’s just over two hours from London. There’s ample free parking at Arle Court and Cheltenham Racecourse Park and Rides too, with regular buses into the town centre. Or why not make a weekend of it with a festive weekend break in one of Cheltenham’s stylish hotels?
For more inspiration for things to do, where to eat, drink and stay in Cheltenham this Christmas, visit www.visitcheltenham.com/christmas
What’s on in Cheltenham at Christmas 2025?
20–23 November: Christmas Gift Market on Cheltenham’s Promenade
21 November–4 January: Indoor ice skating at Cheltenham Ice Rink
21 November–30 December: Spectacle of Light at Sudeley Castle
22 November: Free launch events at The Brewery Quarter and Pittville Pump Room
22 November–23 December: Santa Express with GWSR
28 November–11 January: Robin Hood and His Merry Men panto at The Everyman Theatre
28 November–3 January: The Little Mermaid at The Everyman Theatre
30 November: The Suffolks Christmas Market
4 December–3 January: A Dickens Christmas at The Everyman Theatre
11–23 December: Christmas Arts & Crafts Market on the Promenade
12 December–3 January: Dick Whittington panto at The Playhouse Theatre
12–13 December: The Christmas Meeting at Cheltenham Racecourse
19–24 December: Santa – The Visit at The Centaur
19 December: Deck the Hall – Chris Moyles festive DJ set at Cheltenham Town Hall
21 December: The Nutcracker at the Bacon Theatre
1 January 2026: New Year’s Day Racing at Cheltenham Racecourse
This Saturday (19th November) sees the official launch of Christmas in Cheltenham. Cheltenham BID have been working hard behind the scenes to put on events throughout the festive period to drive footfall into the town centre and create a magical atmosphere for visitors to the town.
Here are some of the events Cheltenham BID have organised.
1. CHRISTMAS LAUNCH
Saturday 19 November will see the launch of Christmas 2022 in Cheltenham!
On behalf of Cheltenham BID we invite you to join us for ‘Cheltenham Christmas Unboxed’, fantastic free 15-minute shows featuring singing, interactive banter, dancing, music and local choirs, bringing joy and fun to the people of Cheltenham.
Please note, there will be no official Christmas light switch on this year, instead as dusk falls thousands of twinkling Christmas lights will come on throughout the town centre.
Locations of performances
Cheltenham High Street at Cambray Place – 5pm
Pedestrianised Promenade (near House of Fraser) – 5pm
Imperial Gardens – 6.30pm
High Street near M & S – 6.30pm
The Brewery Quarter Christmas Launch Party will also take place on Saturday 19 November, between the hours of 3 – 7pm.
2. CHELTENHAM NUTCRACKER TRAIL
Starts Saturday 19 November and will close on Friday 30th December
The whole family will love getting involved in the Cheltenham Nutcracker Trail and will discover some interesting facts about Cheltenham along the way, whilst exploring the beautiful areas of our town.
Nutcrackers may actually look a little scary but according to German folklore, they represent power and strength, bare their teeth to evil spirits and serve as the traditional messenger of good luck and goodwill.
Find your free Nutcracker Trail map in town or view it online and then wander around the town to find 10 Nutcracker soldiers. The map tells you the location of the soldiers and as you find each one, write their name down on the Trail Sheet. Once you’ve found all of the names, fill in your details and post it into Santa’s postbox, which is also marked on the map. First prize is a £100 Cheltenham Gift Card.
The Nutcrackers will be available to find in their various locations from Saturday 19th November. The competition will close on Friday 30th December. The winner will be announced via the Cheltenham BID website, on Cheltenham BID social media channels and via email on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.
Collect a booklet from various businesses around Cheltenham including Cineworld, Cheltenham Library, Cheltenham Children’s Library, Cheltenham Martial Arts, The Wilson,The Garden Bar, Waterstones, Blushes & Berrey’s Pick ‘N’ Mix.
Alternatively you can download the booklet online and print.
3. MINCE PIES AND MULLED WINE IN MONTPELLIER
Late night shopping event in Montpellier – Thursday 1st December from 5pm
Experience the magic of Montpellier as this iconic Cheltenham location plays host to festive musical entertainers, a festive fun window trail and late night shopping. Enjoy mulled wine, mince pies and other festive favourites in the many eateries and bars.
4. POP-UP MARKET
Taking place 2nd to 4th December, along the pedestrianised Promenade.
Shoppers can look forward to browsing pop gazebo stalls, mainly made up of local independent traders selling food and gifts.
5. CHELTENHAM CHRISTMAS MARKET
Open daily 8th to 24th December, along the Promenade and Long Gardens.
Enjoy FREE entrance to a large Christmas market, featuring traditional stalls selling festive food, drink, crafts & gifts.
VISIT CHELTENHAM’S CHRISTMAS GUIDE
There are over 70 events happening in Cheltenham over the festive period. Make sure you’re up to date by visiting the Visit Cheltenham website.
On Monday, 6 December Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) hosted the first of two festive networking events at the Queens Hotel. The morning saw a variety of Professional Services businesses within the Cheltenham BID zone get a chance to network with other local businesses whilst enjoying some light refreshments in the beautiful Queens Hotel. After the networking session, our BID businesses were invited to join us for a skating session on Cheltenham’s all-weather ice rink located in Imperial Gardens, Montpellier.
Lisa Hudson joined us from The Workplace – a co-working space which has recently opened a second site at Star Lodge in Montpellier. She had this to say about the event: “I really enjoyed attending the Cheltenham BID event at the Queens Hotel. Having the opportunity to meet other people from a variety of different businesses was interesting and informative. Sometimes the links needed between businesses can be small but have the potential to help support and attract new clients. Skating after a light lunch was a refreshing way to spend Monday lunchtime.”
Our second event is this coming Monday, 13 December and we hope to see many more of our BID businesses there. In addition to networking and ice skating, there will also be a prize draw for all attendees to win either a £25 Cheltenham Gift Card or £25 worth of vouchers to spend at Cheltenham Christmas Market.
Cheltenham BID sold exactly £27,055 worth of Cheltenham Gift Cards over the 2020 Christmas period. This money will be locked into Cheltenham’s local economy, supporting local businesses and people.
Launched in 2017 by Cheltenham BID, the gift card allows recipients to spend in a wide range of town-centre businesses. Over 80 businesses are currently signed up to accept the card across retail, food, drink, leisure and entertainment.
There are many advantages of the Cheltenham Gift Card to town centre businesses. Customers that redeem gift cards tend to upgrade their experience and spend on average 40% more than the value of the gift card by going for higher-margin products. People that receive town centre gift cards also tend to explore their options more, and 15% of gift card redemption is by customers visiting a business for the first time.
It doesn’t cost anything to become a part of the programme. There are no additional set-up or ongoing fees, and as the scheme uses the existing Mastercard network it is easy to get started. If your business is interested in accepting the Cheltenham Gift Card, please contact info@cheltenhambid.co.uk.
Read more about the scheme here: https://cheltenhamgiftcard.co.uk/.
Photography: Mikal Ludlow
Cheltenham is sparkling in a beautiful Christmas glow following the switch on of the town’s new festive lights.
Year on year since the BID was formed in 2016 we have improved and extended the Christmas lights display in the town centre.
This year we have worked with a new contractor to bring something very special to Cheltenham. The new lights not only look spectacular during the hours of darkness, but also bring some festive cheer to the streets during daylight hours.
The golden baubles in the trees on The Promenade are already proving to be popular, with hundreds of social media posts. As well as the new street displays, there is a stunning new Christmas tree on the Montpellier roundabout.
As well as the Christmas lights, the BID is pleased to be working with the Queens Hotel on their exciting new project sees its current scaffolding lit up with a projection of a giant advent calendar.
Supporting local charity, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which aims to help young people thrive, the organisations have developed a new children’s artwork competition surrounding the theme of ‘Kindness at Christmas’. Each day from 1 December a lucky winner will have their artwork revealed within the advent calendar. The winners will also be able experience the grandeur of the venue with an afternoon tea for them and their family when restrictions permit.
Thank you to all of our businesses who have put up some beautiful displays. The shops have some stunning festive displays and the office windows are aglow with lights and decorations, helping to bring vibrancy to the town.
Featured in the December 2020 newsletter.
Building on the success of last year’s Christmas marketing campaign and the new Cheltenham branding, Marketing Cheltenham have designed a campaign to encourage people to ‘think local’ this Christmas.
Cheltenham’s campaign forms part of a wider programme of activity to support the high street and local businesses through the pandemic and has been supported by the national Reopening High Streets Safely Fund through the UK Government and European Regional Develop Funding.
As part of the campaign, an online directory and gift guides have been created to highlight local retailers, festive experiences and the many local cafes and restaurants offering takeaways and delivery services. These guides can be found on the Visit Cheltenham website and social media channels, making it easy for the public to find something special for loved ones this Christmas.
There is also a new Facebook group, ‘Love Cheltenham – Supporting Local Businesses’ which has been created so people can find and order from businesses which otherwise might have struggled to compete with well-known online retailers.
If you would like to involve your business in the campaign, join and engage with the ‘Love Cheltenham – Supporting Local Businesses’ Facebook group, use the hashtags #ourchelt and #supportlocal with any social media posts and see visitcheltenham.com to find out more.
Thanks to an ongoing Partnership Agreement between Marketing Cheltenham and Cheltenham BID, BID levy payers are also entitled to a listing on the Visit Cheltenham website. If you are a BID business and need to create or update a Visit Cheltenham business listing, please contact alex@cheltenhambid.co.uk.
Restaurants, cafes and bars are also encouraged to share their festive dining packages via this link to appear in Visit Cheltenham’s Christmas guide.
Featured in the December 2020 newsletter.
Although the end of lockdown is good news for many of our businesses, we recognise that for some of you in the hospitality sector, being in Tier 2 is still going to be difficult, particularly at this time of year.
Extended Hours
Our message to the public is that Cheltenham is a safe place to come and enjoy Christmas shopping and socialise within the restrictions of Tier 2.
With the announcement by Communities Secretary Robert Jenrick 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.
We are encouraging all businesses to take advantage of this and have worked with Marketing Cheltenham to put together a guide. If you haven’t already let us know what your opening hours are please email us at info@cheltenhambid.co.uk.
Please also submit your festive dining packages and events here for inclusion in Visit Cheltenham’s Christmas guide.
Featured in the December 2020 newsletter.
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.
A new Christmas competition has launched giving people the chance to win a £1500 Cheltenham Gift Card. The Great Town and City Christmas Quiz is a national competition where towns and cities across the UK and Ireland compete against each other for the chance of being crowned the brainiest Christmas town or city of 2020.
Designed to encourage local shopping and keep money locked into the area, the multi-venue gift card has been active in Cheltenham since August 2018. It is part of the award-winning Town and City Gift Cards programme from fintech Miconex, active in more than 50 towns and cities around the UK and Ireland.
Each Cheltenham Gift Card is a prepaid Mastercard that can be spent locally in shops, restaurants, cafés, leisure venues and on services- including John Lewis and Partners, Waterstones, Marks and Spencer, Boots and many town centre independents.
Belinda Hunt, Operations Manager at Cheltenham BID said: “We are very excited to be a part of this national competition and would really like to see this fantastic prize come to Cheltenham. The Great Town and City Quiz is a bit of festive fun, but the message behind it is vital: shop in Cheltenham and support local jobs and businesses.
“Anyone with a good general knowledge stands a chance of winning this quiz – I hope it’s someone from Cheltenham!”
All 10 questions in the Great Town and City Christmas Quiz are themed around Christmas and famous gifts, such as the gift Ebenezer Scrooge gave to the Cratchit family, the wish made by Kevin McCallister in Home Alone and the $1.1 million gift given by Richard Taylor to Elizabeth Taylor in 1969. Competitors enter where they live and complete the quiz, with a leader board of places around the UK and Ireland.
To take part in the quiz, compete on behalf of Cheltenham and be in with a chance of winning the £1500 Cheltenham Gift Card, visit Christmasquiz.townandcitygiftcards.com.
To find out more information about and to purchase a Cheltenham Gift Card, visit cheltenhamgiftcard.co.uk/.
Photography: Mikal Ludlow
Cheltenham is sparkling in a beautiful Christmas glow following the switch on of the town’s new festive lights.
The new Christmas lights, organised by Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID), are accompanied for the first year with golden baubles hanging from the trees on the pedestrianised Promenade and gold powder-coated holly, reindeer, stars and harps adorning the lampposts, allowing people to feel festive throughout the day and night. Alongside the new additions on the Promenade, there is also a stunning new Christmas tree on Montpellier roundabout.
Although the traditional Christmas light switch-on event was unable to go ahead this year, the lights offer a festive experience for those taking their daily exercise or using click and collect from local businesses.
Belinda Hunt, Operations Manager at Cheltenham BID, says of the lights, “We are pleased that we took the decision earlier this year to have new Christmas lights. We could not have foreseen how important these decorations would be and the fact that the display is as attractive during the day as it is at night is extra special.
“With the support of Cheltenham Borough Council, we have been able to give local businesses and people something to enjoy when they come to town, whether that is for their daily exercise or do their Christmas shopping when the restrictions are lifted.”
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, Cabinet Member for Economy and Development, added: “The Christmas lights are absolutely stunning and I’m certainly feeling in the festive spirit now. It is a real shame the traditional Cheltenham Christmas lights switch-on event, normally enjoyed by so many, had to be cancelled, but public safety quite rightly has been prioritised. I do hope however the people of Cheltenham are able to safely visit the town centre to experience this wonderful festivity for themselves.”
The spectacular Christmas lights follow the announcement of Cheltenham’s Christmas campaign which urges local residents and would-be visitors to support local businesses this Christmas.
As well as the Christmas lights, Cheltenham BID is pleased to be working with the Queens Hotel which has recently announced an exciting new project which will see its current scaffolding lit up with a projection of a giant advent calendar.
Supporting local charity, No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which aims to help young people thrive, the organisations have developed a new children’s artwork competition surrounding the theme of ‘Kindness at Christmas’. Each day from 1 December a lucky winner will have their artwork revealed within the advent calendar. The winners will also be able experience the grandeur of the venue with an afternoon tea for them and their family when restrictions permit.
For more information on Christmas in Cheltenham including gift guides, takeaways and shops offering click and collect, see visitcheltenham.com/christmas
Cheltenham’s new marketing campaign, led by the town’s marketing body, Marketing Cheltenham, alongside Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) and Cheltenham Borough Council, is calling on local residents and would-be visitors to support local businesses this Christmas.
The campaign aims to overcome the latest national lockdown by creating an online directory of shops and local businesses in Cheltenham and a series of gift guides that highlight local retailers, festive experiences and the many local cafes and restaurants offering takeaways and delivery services. These guides can be found on the Visit Cheltenham website and social media channels, making it easy for the public to find something special for loved ones this Christmas.
There is also a new Facebook group, ‘Love Cheltenham – Supporting Local Businesses’ which has been created so people can find and order from businesses which otherwise might have struggled to compete with well-known online retailers.
David Jackson, Manager of Marketing Cheltenham, said: “We’re really aware of just how challenging things are for the retail and hospitality sectors right now, so the Christmas trading period is more critical than ever this year, particularly for the many small, independent businesses we have in Cheltenham.”
Belinda Hunt, Operations Manager of Cheltenham BID, said: “Local businesses, both independent and people’s favourite national brands, have been innovative in the way they have changed their model to ensure their loyal customers can start their Christmas shopping. This campaign will support businesses by reminding local people that they are still there and offering a personal service which shoppers aren’t likely to experience with global online markets.”
Cheltenham’s campaign forms part of a wider programme of activity to support the high street and local businesses through the pandemic and has been supported by the national Reopening High Streets Safely Fund through the UK Government and European Regional Develop Funding.
If you would like to involve your business in the campaign, join and engage with the ‘Love Cheltenham – Supporting Local Businesses’ Facebook group, use the hashtags #ourchelt and #supportlocal with any social media posts and see visitcheltenham.com/christmas to find out more.
Thanks to an ongoing Partnership Agreement between Marketing Cheltenham and Cheltenham BID, BID levy payers are also entitled to a listing on the Visit Cheltenham website. If you are a BID business and need to create or update a Visit Cheltenham business listing, please contact alex@cheltenhambid.co.uk.
Cheltenham’s new marketing campaign, led by the town’s marketing body, Marketing Cheltenham, alongside Cheltenham Borough Council and Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID), is calling on local residents and would-be visitors to support local businesses this Christmas.
The campaign aims to overcome the latest national lockdown by creating an online directory of shops and local businesses in Cheltenham and a series of gift guides that highlight local retailers, festive experiences and the many local cafes and restaurants offering takeaways and delivery services. These guides can be found on the Visit Cheltenham website and social media channels, making it easy to find something special for loved ones this Christmas.
There is also a new Facebook group, ‘Love Cheltenham – Supporting Local Businesses’ which has been created so people can find and order from businesses which otherwise might have struggled to compete with well-known online retailers.
David Jackson, Manager of Marketing Cheltenham, said: “We’re really aware of just how challenging things are for the retail and hospitality sectors right now, so the Christmas trading period is more critical than ever this year, particularly for the many small, independent businesses we have in Cheltenham.”
“Our Shop Local, Support Small campaign is our way of reminding people that, despite not being able to physically shop in the way we might like – at the moment at least – you can still support local businesses by buying or ordering from them online. The beauty of this too, of course, is that because we have so many wonderful independent businesses in Cheltenham, you’re more likely to find something different and truly individual that you simply won’t find anywhere else.”
Cllr Victoria Atherstone, Cabinet Member for Economy and Development, added: “The health and vitality of our high streets, not just in the town centre, but across the whole of Cheltenham play such an important role in supporting our local communities, particularly at this time of year. It’s fantastic therefore to see partners coming together to support local businesses through this campaign – and I’d encourage everyone to do what they can to shop local and support local businesses this year. One way to find out what you can buy and where visit the ‘Love Cheltenham – Supporting Local Businesses’ group on Facebook. ”
Belinda Hunt, Operations Manager of Cheltenham BID, said: “Local businesses, both independent and people’s favourite national brands, have been innovative in the way they have changed their model to ensure their loyal customers can start their Christmas shopping. This campaign will support businesses by reminding local people that they are still there and offering a personal service which shoppers aren’t likely to experience with global online markets.”
Cheltenham’s campaign forms part of a wider programme of activity to support the high street and local businesses through the pandemic and has been supported by the national Reopening High Streets Safely Fund through the UK Government and European Regional Develop Funding.
To find out more, see visitcheltenham.com/christmas