26 March 2019

The films of Mike Leigh will be celebrated at the first Cheltenham International Film Festival.

One of Britain’s most celebrated directors, Leigh leads a parade of industry figures heading to the town for the Festival which flickers in to life on May 27.

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The six-day event includes film screenings, director Q&As, masterclasses, panel discussions and talks by film industry professionals and stars of the silver screen.

The programme will be directed by Leslie Montgomery Sheldon, who has announced Brockworth boy Simon Pegg has agreed to be the Festival’s patron

Among the highlights will be the screening of two of Leigh’s early films Bleak Moments and Nuts in May as the Festival pays tribute to the director famous for the BAFTA and Palm D’Or winning Secrets and Lies.

The man himself will be in attendance to introduce both films, with a question and answer session following both screenings.

“We are delighted to give fans of these two films an opportunity to see them again and to introduce them to a new audience”, said Sheldon.

Also appearing will be Josie Rourke, director of Mary Queen of Scots, Steven Bercoff and Jan Komasa while the Festival kicks off with a preview of Sometimes Always Never, starring Bill Nighy.

The Film Festival joins the long list of cultural festivals that have become a trademark of the town.

The world-famous Literature and Music festivals have been joined by Jazz and Science Festivals in recent years, with Sheldon proud to add films to the list.

The Festival will deepen and widen appreciation of film, co-operating with the education charity, Into Film, which puts film at the heart of children’s eduction.

Ticket will go on sale from 10/04/2019 on The Playhouse Cheltenham website.

The Cheltenham International Film Festival runs from May 27 to June 1.

Cheltenham BID are partners of the Cheltenham Internal Film Festival.

March Newsletter article 2019

Cocktail Week has become an integral part of the Cheltenham calendar and this year we’d like to see every bar, restaurant, club and hotel in the town getting involved. There are more than 60 venues in the BID zone who could participate.

So, instead of holding branded events in selected venues, we’ll be encouraging cocktail fans to visit some of their favourite venues – and try new ones.  

Running from Friday May 10 through to Saturday May 18 there’s an opportunity for every establishment to offer something different and there’s a huge audience to draw on. Whether you choose to hold an event, offer some exclusive cocktails or one-off discounts, we’d love you to be involved in some way.

We will promote the event across all our social media channels, provide every participating venue with marketing collateral and showcase your event on VisitCheltenham.com.  Across Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, Cheltenham BID, OurChelt and Visit Cheltenham have more than 20,000 followers.  That’s a huge potential audience you could reach and free if you’re a BID business.

All we ask is that you offer at least one £6 cocktail throughout the week or hold at least one event.  That could be a cocktail mixing masterclass, a live music event, a gin tasting evening or an afternoon tea with champagne. Or you may have a completely different idea of your own.

We’d love to hear what ideas you have and how you’d like to get involved. So please email Belinda Hunt at belinda@cheltenhambid.co.uk to let us know what your plans are.

Hundreds of people saw the launch of Light Up Cheltenham with spectacular street theatre drumming group Spark! See photos.

And a new video has been released celebrating the start of the three-week event, which features a Giant Observation Wheel and more than 40 illuminated buildings.

The LED drummers made their way from The Brewery Quarter up The Promenade to Imperial Gardens, home to the 35-metre wheel.

There will be a range of colours displayed on the buildings throughout the event and all will turn red for Valentine’s Day.

The wheel was a great success with non-stop queues for the most of Saturday evening. Kevan Blackadder, BID Director, said: “We’re delighted it’s already proving so popular and will certainly think about bringing it back for future events.”

The neighbouring Garden Bar in Imperial Gardens was open from 6pm-8pm to the public during the Light Up launch.

Sophie Wrench, from Glorious Events at the Town Hall, said: “What a fantastic event. It was great to support Cheltenham BID and to see Cheltenham’ s community come together.”Further entertainment will be provided by the Photon Juggling Glow Show, who will perform on High Street on Saturday February 16 at the start of the half-term holiday.

Visitors to Cheltenham will be treated to a magical illuminated juggling act on Saturday February 16 as part of Light Up Cheltenham.

The Photon Glow Show, a duo of acrobatic jugglers, will brighten up the town even more as they perform outside the new John Lewis and Partners store on Cheltenham High Street from 5pm.

The pair will be joined by live singer, Bethany Goodman, as she treats the crowds to some favourite songs from the 60s, 70s, and 80s, as well as some well-loved theatre music.

Light Up Cheltenham has seen hundreds of people come to town to snap some amazing pictures of the town’s historic Regency buildings lit up in splendid colour.

A giant observation wheel will be the focal point of an expanded Light Up Cheltenham in February.

It will be the first time a wheel of this kind, standing at more than 35-metres high, will have been brought to Cheltenham.

The wheel will feature throughout the three-week Light Up Cheltenham event which will run from February 2^nd until February 24^th.

It will stand in Imperial Gardens, where it will be surrounded by floodlit buildings including the Queens Hotel, the Town Hall, 131, and a terrace of ornate Regency buildings. The colour schemes will change over the three weeks and on February 14^th, to celebrate Valentine’s Day, the whole town will turn red.

Close by, buildings like the Municipal Offices and majestic buildings on the Promenade will also be floodlit, as will Neptune’s Fountain.

The event will also spread across the town to areas and buildings including Boots corner, The Brewery Quarter and the United Services Club.

Spectacular street theatre drumming group Spark!, who were a massive hit at the first Light Up Cheltenham last year, will return to launch the event from 5pm on Saturday February 2^nd. Further entertainment will be provided by the Photon Juggling Glow Show, who will perform on High Street on Saturday February 16^th at the start of the half-term holiday.

BID Director Kevan Blackadder said: “Light Up Cheltenham was so popular when we ran it for a week last year that we wanted to expand to three weeks this year.

“We are delighted to be working with the de Koning Leisure Group who have taken the giant observation wheel to towns and cities across the country. This is a first for Cheltenham and will give people a unique view of the town and the illuminated buildings.”                                    

Monday-Thursday 3pm-9pm

Friday 3pm-10pm

Saturday 11am – 10pm

Sunday 12pm-9pm.

Except Monday 18th to Friday 22nd (Half-term) 12pm – 9pm.

A three revolution ride will cost just £5 for an adult, £4 for a child and a family ticket is £15.

Jan de Kroning, of de Kroning Leisure Group, said: “The wheel gives guests a previously unseen bird’s eye view of their surroundings. We’re very pleased to be bringing it to Cheltenham for the first time.”

The expanded Light Up Cheltenham sees an increase in the number of buildings illuminated from six to more than 20.

As well as many buildings having floodlights for the first time, other permanently-lit businesses will change their colour schemes to be part of Light Up Cheltenham. They include Martin and Co, The Bank House, Knight Frank and Cotswold Transport Planning.

Kevan added: “This event is all about adding some colour and fun to Cheltenham town centre in what can be one of the quietest months of the year in towns and cities across the country.

“We would love to see people come into town in the late-afternoon and early evening; taking pictures in front of the buildings, sharing them on social media and maybe even some proposals on Valentine’s Day.”

We will be working with events company SLX on lighting the buildings across the town.

Observation wheel

When and where will the Observation wheel be in Cheltenham?

The wheel will be in Imperial Gardens from Saturday February 2 until Sunday February 24

How much is it?

A ten-minute ride will cost just £5 for an adult, £4 for a child and a family ticket is £15.

2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and three children.

Can you pre-book tickets?

No. Tickets are available at the wheel on the day only.  We do not expect queuing time to be long though.

How long will I have to wait?

A ride takes 10 minutes and there are 24 pods, so it depends how busy the wheel is and whether there are a lot of people who need assistance getting on.

What time will be the wheel be operating?

The giant wheel will operate from 3pm every day with extended operating times at weekends and throughout the half-term holiday.

How many people can fit into a pod?

Five to a pod.

Are the pods covered?

Yes, there is roof to each pod.

Is the wheel disabled friendly?

A wheelchair can fit safely in a pod and there will be assistance available to allow a wheelchair user to be helped on board.

Launch event

What is it?

Spark! are a group of 5 light up drummers who will be performing on Saturday 2nd February.

What time does it start?

At 5pm at The Brewery Quarter outside SoHo / Cosy Club.

Where will they be performing?

From The Brewery they will go down the High Street to Boots and then down The Promenade.  They will stop on the Prom by Cav House for about 5 – 10 minutes then go down The Prom to Imperial Square where they will finish their performance at around 6pm.

There will be more entertainment on 16th February – keep an eye on our website and Facebook page.

The lit-up buildings

What’s it all about?

February is a rather dull month so we’re lighting up the beautiful Regency buildings to cheer everyone up and show what a lovely town we have.

Which buildings are being lit up?

The Promenade: Queens Hotel, 131, Municipal Offices, Neptune’s Fountain, LK Bennett, White Stuff, GAP, Crew Clothing, Karen Millen, Hooper Bolton, Keith Scarrott Shoes, London Camera Exchange, Silver Moon, TM Lewin, Promenade Antiques, Coventry Building Society, Martin & Co, Simon Burn Solicitors, Datasource, Knight Frank, Cotswold Transport Planning, Elliot Oliver, Kingsley Evans, Langley Wellington, Hamptons, Enhance, NFU Insurance, Junkosha, Cheltenham Mortgage Advisors, Bare-Faced Medical Aesthetics, CGT Lettings.

High Street: Boots, HSBC, The Brewery Quarter.

Clarence Street: Superdry, The Bank House, Eurochange, Everyman Barbers.

Montpellier: The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie.

Imperial Square: Cheltenham Town Hall, Pizza Express, So Glos.

Regent Street: The Everyman Theatre.

North Place: United Services Club.

What time are they lit up?

From 3.30pm until 11pm

If you love the sales and enjoy hunting for a bargain, then look no further than the third annual Cheltenham Boutique Sale on Sunday 27^th January at The Princess Hall, Cheltenham Ladies College.

Ten of the town’s favourite businesses will be giving shoppers exclusive discounts of up to 75 per cent off retail prices for one day only.

This popular annual event welcomed more than 600 people through the door last year and it is anticipated that even more will attend this year.

Women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, jewellery and beauty products will all be available at the event, which will be open from 11am to 3.30pm.

The iconic Princess Hall makes a wonderful setting for the event and gives many people the chance to visit the building for the first time.

The full line-up of businesses taking part is: Beards, Bodega, Frank & Doll, Harris Rae, Horace Barton, James of Montpellier, Keith Scarrott Shoes, Molton Brown, Roxtons and Tia-Tia,

Cheltenham’s Ladies College’s café will be open throughout and there will be male and female changing facilities.

Kevan Blackadder, BID Director, said: “The BID aims to support the town’s businesses in many ways and that includes our fashion retailers. We wanted to give them the opportunity to hold one-off sale events and have been delighted with the response and the number of boutiques that are taking part.”

Sophie Scarrott, owner of Keith Scarrott Shoes, said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to get together in one place and offer some fantastic savings. We’re looking forward to welcoming both regular and new customers.”

For more information contact 01242 571123

Terms and Conditions for Our Chelt Facebook competition –

*You will receive a voucher allowing two adults and two children or four pairs of Skechers to be purchased from the Cheltenham store for free. Valid 4 weeks after the winner is announced. Date will be confirmed to the winner and the winner will be notified via Facebook messenger.

Cheltenham’s Christmas Lights switch-on was hailed a huge success as thousands of people gathered in the town centre.

A giant White Witch puppet standing more than 16 feet high enthralled the crowds as she travelled through the town centre on a chariot on Saturday.

The event saw the lights turned on in a grand finale at Imperial Gardens.

The dramatic storyline had seen the White Witch’s threat to prevent the lights being turned on fail as Father Christmas performed the switch-on to huge cheers from the crowd.

To see all photos visit our gallery page.

Cheltenham resident Sue Lightstone, of Winchcombe Street, said: “It was fantastic how the White Witch interacted with the crowds. It was wonderful for the children but for the adults as well. The excitement of Christmas is well and truly with us now.”

There were separate switch-ons at Regent Arcade, with Love Island star Frankie Foster, and at The Brewery Quarter.

Cheltenham-based company, Evenlode Productions, created the White Witch and the production around the parade.

The BID and Cheltenham Borough Council have invested in more lights this year, which sees illuminations in The Strand, Cambray Place, Regent Street and Pittville Street for the first time.

New illuminations have also been strung across Boots Corner and Clarence Parade.

Photo credit to Mikal Lludlow.

Cheltenham BID has worked with the Cheltenham Borough Council and Evenlode Films and Productions to produce a large Digital Arts Film and Animation that will be spectacularly projected onto the Cheltenham Municipal Offices on Sunday 11 November from 5pm to commemorate 100 years since WW1.

Evenlode Films says –

“We have produced a sensitive and impressionistic artistic vision of WW1 which will play in a 15 minute loop giving the opportunity for all to see. Without giving too much away, we have had the pleasure of filming local child star actor Mark Lester, the Royal British Legion and our local Artillery Re-enactment players. We have used local people for most of this huge project including the beautiful award-winning horse ‘Cord en Bleu’ from the Cotswold Trail Riding Center, who symbolically represents the demise of 8000 horse

This is a huge and exciting production and there is much behind the scenes work in producing a project of this scale. We have a team of animators working on various parts of the storyboard alongside five of the very best students from the University of Gloucestershire. This Trailer is just 30 seconds of something that will blow your mind for 15 whole minutes and brought to you in immersive, surround sound giving you that 3D experience.

The music has been composed and produced by Tim Mountain who has really thought about it being accessible to people of all ages. After all,100 years ago, WW1 was about young men going to war, and so as an appreciation of that, he has composed a rap sequence to the spoken word of local voice artist JDPL, a big cinematic Hollywood score and an emotive classical piece for string quartet and piano and includes our very own Cheltenham Ladies College Choir. Also, in consideration of our Cheltenham born composer Gustav Holst, and it being WW1, we have included a short section of Mars, the bringer of war to represent his musical contribution which was written before, but released just after the war.

For more information about Evenlode Films please visit Evenlode Film and Productions

A dramatic illuminated parade will be the centrepiece of the Christmas Lights switch-on in Cheltenham this year.

A giant White Witch puppet standing more than 16 feet high on a chariot will travel through the town centre in a high-impact street theatre event on Saturday November 24.

Cheltenham BID and Cheltenham Borough Council have also invested in more lights this year, which will see illuminations in four extra streets in the town.

The show is based around the story of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in which the White Witch tries to stop Santa from having Christmas. The Cheltenham event will see her trying to stop Father Christmas from turning on the lights.

There will be lots of pantomime-style interaction for children with the White Witch and six trolls confronting Santa and his six elves. Who will win when the battle concludes on a stage at Imperial Gardens?

Cheltenham-based company, Evenlode Productions, have worked with the BID to create the event, which starts at 4.30pm and runs until 6.30pm.

The show will start in Imperial Gardens and then proceed to Montpellier, back down the Promenade, along High Street to The Brewery Quarter and Cambray Place and then back through Boots Corner to Imperial Gardens for the thrilling showdown.

Tim Mountain, production manager at Evenlode Productions, who have staged events all over the UK, said: “We’re thrilled to be working with the BID to give Cheltenham something completely different for the lights switch-on this year. I think we can promise a night to remember for young and old alike.”

The Christmas Lights were significantly improved last year, with new present motifs along High Street, new lights in the trees along The Promenade and extra features at Montpellier Roundabout and in Montpellier Street.

This year, there will be lights in The Strand, Cambray Place, Regent Street and Pittville Street, along with new illuminations crossing Clarence Parade, High Street and Boots Corner.

BID Director Kevan Blackadder said: “We’re very excited about the switch-on, which we think will provide a very different experience for people in Cheltenham.

“I’m also pleased that we have been able to extend the areas covered by lights this year. We’re keen to expand still further in future years.”

The switch-on will happen two days after the popular Christmas Market opens on The Promenade on Thursday November 22. The market will run until Saturday December 15, with Cotswold Markets then staging its Arts & Crafts Market from Tuesday December 18 until Monday December 24.

Marketing Cheltenham is supporting the town’s festive activity with an “Experience the magic of Christmas in Cheltenham” campaign.

For more information and latest updates about the lights switch-on and town-centre Christmas activities see www.visitcheltenham.com

Cheltenham BID are supporting the march which is being organised as part of the Cheltenham Remembers programme of WW1 centenary commemorative events. It will take place on afternoon of Saturday 10 November 2018 from 1-3.30pm

BID members and local residents of all ages are invited to join the community march in memory of the 1,290 Cheltonians who died during the First World War.

Cheltenham’s Street Chilli Fiesta will return to Cambray Place on Saturday 2nd June from 10am, bringing more than 15 chilli produce specialists to town.

Last year’s fiesta saw hundreds of people enjoying the heat as they selected some of the country’s best chilli based jams, chutneys and marinades.

The popular ‘Clash of the Titans’ chilli eating competition will be back, bringing tears to the contestant’s eyes – it’s not for the faint-hearted and is open to adults only. Starting with mild and flavourful, working up to volcanic, contestants will have to munch their way through chillies of varying levels of heat.

Once again, visitors will be able to buy a wide range of chilli themed products, from chilli cheese and chocolate to live chilli plants and artwork. The Chew Chew BBQ will also be back serving delicious hot food.

The event is being organised jointly by Chilli Fest UK and Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID), who are keen to use different parts of the town for events. Kevan Blackadder, BID Director said: “Cambray Place is a great place for us to hold events. The Jazz Festival …Around Town stage was really popular and we held the Street Chilli Fiesta and Street Football events there last year, which brought new custom to many of the businesses in Cambray Place and this end of the High Street.

“We want people to see the diversity of businesses in this area of the town.”

A new event run by Cheltenham BID will see landmark buildings in the town centre lit up in a way they have never been seen before.

Light Up Cheltenham will take place in the February half-term holiday. It will be launched on Saturday February 10^th by spectacular street theatre drumming group Spark!, who have been a massive hit in towns and cities across the UK and beyond.

The fun kicks off at 5pm on Saturday February 10 when the group play on the new public space at The Brewery Quarter next to the Cosy Club.

This will then be followed by a parade through town, stopping off in the pedestrian Promenade, and culminating with another performance by Spark! at the Quadrangle at 5.45pm. 

The floodlights will be seen for the first time that evening on The Municipal Offices, the Queens Hotel, Boots, the Brewery Quarter and the Town Hall. Many other buildings that are lit throughout the year will also be joining in the fun and using the same two-colour theme lighting throughout the week.

Already signed up are Martin & Co, The Bank House, HSBC, United Services Club, Moo Moo and Fever nightclubs and three buildings in the Promenade, 131, Knight Frank and Cotswold Transport Planning.
There will also be romance in the air on Wednesday February 14th when the main buildings turn red for Valentine’s Day

BID Director Kevan Blackadder said: “We want to bring some colour and fun to Cheltenham town centre in what can be one of the quietest months of the year in towns and cities across the country.

“We would love to see people come into town in the late-afternoon and early evening; taking pictures in front of the buildings, sharing them on social media and maybe even some proposals on Valentine’s Day when the buildings will change colour to red in celebration of the day.

“Our shops, restaurants, bars and leisure facilities will also be involved.  Join us and help us to put the spotlight on Cheltenham.”

Many other buildings that are lit throughout the year will also be joining in the fun and using the same two colour theme lighting throughout the week.

The map includes venues involved in the Light Up Cheltenham event. Click on the numbers to view more information on the venues.

Cheltenham landmarks will be floodlit from Saturday February 10 to the following Sunday February 18 in a way never seen before.

Take photos at each floodlit site and share with #LightUpCheltenham and tag the location. We look forward to seeing your photos!

We are really pleased with the response we’ve had from BID businesses to the Launch of Christmas in Cheltenham event.  Belinda Hunt, BID operations manager, said: “We’ve been delighted to introduce new lights to so many different parts of the town centre this year.

“As well as the new motifs, we’ve added extra lights to the trees on The Strand, The Promenade and Montpellier.”

The BID made a significant investment in bringing new lights and more entertainment to the Street Party which saw the town come to life on Saturday November 25. In partnership with Cheltenham Borough Council, we also played a major part in overseeing the installation process, working closely with the contractors at each stage.

Clem Fraser, Store Manager of Cavendish House said “The lights look amazing.  We have had so many compliments from our customers this evening”.

New features include a 3D sculpture at Boots Corner, attractive new motifs along the full-length of High Street, motifs and tree lights on The Promenade and a new LED Christmas Tree on Montpellier Terrace Roundabout. The Brewery Quarter also unveiled their new light display,

As part of the festivities, the BID ran a competition for a family of five to ride with Santa in his horse drawn carraige.  The family were transported in style from High Street, down The Promenade and into Montpellier.

The traditional Christmas theme in Montpellier saw people enjoying a rock choir, victorian opera singers and the Salvation Army Band as they followed a live Nativity.  Meanwhile, people were singing and dancing along to music in The Brewery Quarter.

Among those to praise the new displays was Margaret Cavanagh, of Neal’s Yard Remedies, who said: “What a triumph. The lights are really beautiful, there was a wonderful atmosphere in the town, everyone loved them.”

The BID plans to work with the council to improve the lights display still further in future years.

Terri Brewster, Chair of Cheltenham BID, said: “Improving the Christmas lights was highlighted as a key requirement of the town’s businesses when the BID was being set up.

“We see 2017 as the first step to further significant improvements next year and beyond as the town centre’s transformation is completed.”

We would like to welcome all BID businesses to our first Annual Review Meeting, to be held on October 3 at 6pm in Isbourne House.

We will share with you our achievements and our aims for the year ahead.

Our Board would like to meet you and hear what you think we could do to make Cheltenham a better place to do business.

Please let us know if you can attend this informal get-together by emailing our Operations Manager, Belinda Hunt at belinda@cheltenhambid.co.uk.

The green bike and art bike trail has people talking about Cheltenham. Hanging from trees, suspended from balconies, displayed in shop windows, dominating roundabouts – the bikes are everywhere.

Visitors to the town are asking “What’s it all about?” Well, it’s to celebrate The Bloor Homes Cheltenham Festival of Cycling, as the Tour of Britain comes to Cheltenham.  Stage 7, the penultimate stage of the UK’s biggest free-to watch sporting event, will finish at Imperial Square on September 9.

The Cheltenham Festival of Cycling is running a competition to see who is the best bike spotter, to enter residents or visitors need to snap a picture of themselves with one of the zingy bikes or bike art, dotted around the town. Use the hashtag #BikeSpotter and let the Cheltenham Festival of Cycling know on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram.

It’s a great opportunity for businesses in Cheltenham to promote themselves to an anticipated 25,000 visitors – and the media. Shops are being encouraged to decorate their windows in the ‘green bike theme’ and bars, cafes and restaurants are preparing to serve ‘green bike’ themed goodies.

As well as the green bike and art trail, there’s a free to enter treasure hunt. Eleven bikes will have a letter tagged to them. Families can take part in the treasure hunt whilst they follow the bike trail around town. Ending at the Wilson, participants are asked to hand in their form and pick up a small prize. To take part, download your form here.

If you can’t get to the finish line, don’t worry you won’t miss out. You can see the race on a big screen on The Promenade near Prezzo and L.K. Bennett whilst browsing round the Street Market.

Cheltenham BID is supporting this year’s Midsummer Fiesta, which returns to Montpellier Gardens on Saturday 1 July 2017 from 12-9pm.

This is Cheltenham’s biggest free community event. Live performances from local musicians, choirs and dance groups will keep you entertained and if you want to get involved there’s Zumba classes and circus skills workshops to join in with.  For the energetic amongst you, football coaching and cycling might be what you’re looking for. This year there will be a new arts and crafts area where you can learn t-shirt printing, weaving and kite making.

With a large market place, children’s village, classic and vintage car display, fairground rides, food and bars, there’s something for everyone. 

There’s lots of cafes, bars and restaurants in Montpellier, a range of bars and food providers at the Fiesta, or visitors can bring a picnic and enjoy the entertainment.

BID representatives will be on our stall all day telling visitors about what they can look forward in Cheltenham over the coming months.  We’ll have discount vouchers for visitors to use at Montpellier businesses and information about the diverse range of shops, bars, galleries and cafes in the town.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Cheltenham businesses are coming together to support the town’s first Street Chilli Fiesta.

From 10am on 3rd June, Cambray Place will be the hottest spot in town when up to 15 traders, all specialising in some form of chilli produce, lay out their stalls.

There will also be a ‘Clash of the Titans’ contest to see who can eat the hottest chilli.

Our Operations Manager, Belinda Hunt said: “Local businesses are really pleased that the BID is looking at this area as a venue for events.

“It’s great to see how many establishments are getting into the spirit of things. The nearby butcher and deli are creating some special chilli sausages for the event and one of the local pubs is even having an unusual beer brewed.”

Wild Beer have some special additions to their menu; BBQ chilli chicken wings and chilli dogs. A chilli beer will be on tap to go with the culinary creations, with tasting sessions of the locally crafted brew throughout the day. The BBQ chicken wings will be on the menu in the bar from the Thursday.

The Butcher’s Block in Grosvenor Terrace, already well known for their BBQ packs, are working on some hot and spicy sausage recipes, and refining their rubs and marinades.

Farmhouse Deli on The High Street will have chilli sausages, sausage rolls and cheeses to add to their extensive range – whether hot or not – for people to snack on or take home.

Gelateria Amelia’s range of 44 home-made ice creams and sorbets will keep everyone cool and refreshed throughout the day.

The Breeze Radio’s Craig Wright will on the scene to liven up the day and compere the chilli eating contest.

The line-up of events for Cheltenham BID’s Cheltenham Cocktail Week in May has been confirmed.

The week, which runs from Monday May 15 to Sunday May 21, will see many of the town’s best-loved bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants coming together to celebrate the wide array of cocktails available in Cheltenham.

From the launch night, with rum cocktails from Cuba at Smokey Joes, through to a Champagne tea party at new Montpellier venue Door 4 on Saturday afternoon, there is something for everyone.

Venues across the town will also be selling The Fountain of Youth, a new gin cocktail specially created for Cheltenham Cocktail Week.

Jamie Campbell has created the Fountain of Youth cocktail

The BID is running the week with the support of Pernod Ricard UK.

The full line-up of events is confirmed as:

Monday May 15: Havana Rum Tasting Experience – cocktails, food and live music from blues and rock band The Desperados UK. 7pm, Smokey Joes, Bennington Street.

Tuesday May 16: A Night with Gin –create your own G & T plus a free “The Fountain of Youth” to the first 40 customers. 7pm, Lily Gins, Regent Street.

A Night with Martell, the Fourth Course – tasting menu plus pairing of the Martell Cognac Range. 7pm, Montpellier Wine Bar, Montpellier Street.

Wednesday May 17: Malt Match – the finest single malts paired with the finest craft beers. 7pm, Wild Beer, Cambray Place

Thursday May 18: The Art of Blending – taste grain whisky and single malts from the Highlands before making your own whisky to take home. 7pm, John Gordons, Montpellier Arcade.

Friday May 19: Friday night is Vodka night – bespoke Absolut creative cocktails on offer with free Welcome Cocktails for the first 100 guests. 8pm, Under the Prom, The Promenade.

Saturday May 20: An Afternoon Tea with Perrier Jouet – your favourite Champagne paired with an afternoon tea. 2pm, Door 4, Montpellier Walk.

The events at Lily Gins, Under the Prom and Wild Beer are free. There are charges at other events where welcome cocktails and food or music are included. All events are being offered on a first-come, first served basis. Booking can be made via Eventbrite at bit.ly/CocktailEvents or on the Cheltenham Cocktail Week Page on Facebook.

Trade events will also be held to teach Cheltenham’s bartenders and bar staff new skills at venues including The Clarence Social and The Bierkeller.

BID Director Kevan Blackadder said: “The range of events we have lined up certainly caters for all tastes and it will also be a week when the town’s bar staff can refine their skills with help from expert mixologists.”

Ingredients of The Fountain of Youth: 50ml Beefeater Gin, 50ml Apple Juice, 20ml Lillet Blanc, 20ml Lemon Juice, 10ml Green Chartreuse, 1 Egg White (Optional), Angostura Bitters. The venue that sells the most glasses of The Fountain of Youth will be given a private behind-the-scenes tour of the Beefeater Distillery in London.

For the Method, see our video on the Cheltenham Cocktail Week Facebook page. Training can be provided on request from Jamie Campbell – contact campbell_jamie92@msn.com

Love hot chillies and think you have eaten the very hottest?

A new event coming to Cheltenham in June will put that to the test at a family street fiesta with a difference.

Up to 15 chilli producers will have stalls in Cambray Place from 10am to 5.30pm on Saturday June 3^rd in an event we have jointly organised with Chilli Fest UK.

As well as a huge range of chillies, there will be chilli sauces, chilli cheeses, chilli olives, a chilli BBQ and even a chilli artist.

The hottest chilli eating contest will be open to adults only and will take place at 2pm.

Organiser Alex Mustang, of Chilli Fest UK, has been running similar events all over the UK for more than seven years and is delighted to be coming to Cheltenham for the first time.

“We have many chilli fans, from the curious to the extreme enthusiast who follow us all over the country,” he said. “I am positive that the people of Cheltenham will come out in force to support this event and take part in this debut chilli fiesta.”

We are keen to bring new events to different parts of the town.  Our Director, Kevan Blackadder said: “Markets are normally held on The Promenade or Long Gardens and the Festivals focus on Montpellier Gardens and Imperial Square.” He said: “We want to start using areas like Cambray Place for more events both because it’s a good location and because it will help bring extra custom not only to businesses in Cambray Place itself but also to that end of High Street.

“I’m sure the pubs and cafes on Cambray Place and High Street will be doing a roaring trade in cool drinks after the chilli eating competition.”

This is also a great opportunity for other local businesses to get involved, making special chilli themed products available on their menus.

See Cheltenham Cocktail Week 2019 information. 

Some of Cheltenham’s best-loved independents will be taking part in a major new sale at Cheltenham Town Hall.

Cheltenham BID has brought together eight businesses for the Cheltenham’s Boutique Sale from 11am to 5pm on Sunday January 29^th.

It is hoped hundreds of shoppers will be attracted to the event and to the town centre on what is normally a quiet day of the year.

Women’s and men’s clothing, shoes, jewellery, wedding dresses and homeware will all be available.
The businesses taking part are: Beards, Blue, Boutique 3, Cocoa Couture, Cutlery Commission, James of Montpellier, Keith Scarrott Shoes and The Union Project.

Some are promising discounts of up to 80 per cent.

Sophie Scarrott, owner of Keith Scarrott Shoes, said: “It’s a great opportunity for us to get together in one place and offer some fantastic savings. We’re looking forward to welcoming both regular and new customers.

“Independent businesses would never have been able to put on an event like this in the past, but thanks to the BID, we are now able to do so.”

Kevan Blackadder, BID Director, said: “The BID aims to support the town’s businesses in many ways, and that includes our independents.

“They aren’t able to run one-off sale events in places like the Town Hall in the same way that national retailers do and we wanted to give them this opportunity. We’ve been delighted with the response and have signed up some great names.

“The Cheltenham Trust, which runs the Town Hall, has also given its support.”

The BID will look to put on similar events for other sectors in the future.