To everyone working in the UK’s retail sector – you are valued.

Read the letter to the retail sector from the Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy.

What are the main concerns for Cheltenham businesses as they tackle the impact of the coronavirus? What funding and support is there to help them and what further help do they need?

It was questions like these that inspired Cheltenham BID to hold its first video conference call for our businesses. It proved to be a great success. Here’s a summary of what was covered.

OPERATIONS AND FINANCE

• £10,000 grant for businesses – This grant is for businesses with Small Business Rate Relief that were actively trading and occupying properties with rateable values of £15,000 or less and who fit the government criteria for this grant.

Feedback – More than 90 businesses were contacted by the BID to let them know that they were eligible. Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) started payments on Friday 27 March, way in advance of most other councils.

• £25,000 grant for businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector – This grant is for eligible businesses in those sectors occupying properties with rateable values between £15,000 and £51,000 on 11 March 2020.

Feedback – CBC have emailed more than 400 businesses and where they cannot make contact they will come to the BID and ask for help with out-of-hours contact details. There was some initial confusion around how much businesses would receive as the information from the Government stated ‘up to’ £25,000. We can now confirm it is £25,000 or nothing.

A point was raised around the fact that if you were a business with a rateable value of more than £15,000 and did not fall in the retail, hospitality or leisure sector then you could be left with no support at all.  There may be some grey areas now, but the BID is hoping that the grants will be expanded to all businesses in the future.

Other businesses that meet the eligibility criteria need to complete and return this form.

If you’re not sure whether you are eligible email businessrates@cheltenham.gov.uk or call the business rates helpline on 01242 264255.

• Landlords and rents – Commercial tenants who cannot pay their rent because of coronavirus will be protected from eviction. More information

Feedback – Concerns were raised around a lack of flexibility from some landlords around rents that are due. Some landlords are demanding payment now without offering any sort of delay or alternative.

Kevan Blackadder, the BID’s Director, has contacted Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk and has asked him to raise this as an issue nationally. It was accepted that most landlord and tenant agreements were private, but it is hoped that landlords will accept they need to act responsibly.

Kevan has also been in touch with private Cheltenham landlord Cheltine to ask for their thoughts. Cheltine have said they are not expecting all payments up front and understand it is a difficult time for businesses.

Our businesses would like to urge landlords to be realistic and waive payments rather than just delay. Some of our businesses stated that they knew of some local landlords who have already offered rent holidays to tenants.

In addition to the above Kevan has asked CBC leader Steve Jordan to send an open letter to all commercial landlords across the borough calling on them to take their share of the burden. The Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce have agreed to support along with the Gloucestershire Federation of Small Businesses. If you wish to receive to a copy of the final letter to share with your landlord please email info@cheltenhambid.co.uk.

• Furloughing staff – Employers can claim 80% of furloughed employees’ (employees on a leave of absence) usual monthly wage costs, up to £2,500 a month, plus the associated Employer National Insurance contributions and minimum automatic enrolment employer pension contributions on that wage. Employers can use this scheme at any time. More information

The scheme is open to all UK employers that had created and started a PAYE payroll scheme by 28 February 2020.

Feedback – A lot of our businesses have already gone through the process of furloughing their staff and are waiting for the HMRC portal to open to start their individual company claim. The online portal is guaranteed to open before the end of April 2020 where employers will be able seek further individual staff criteria. Businesses may be audited further down the line.

Directors of limited companies can furlough themselves and claim 80% from the Government if they are on the payroll and are not generating income for the company during this time.

• Loans – As well as government backed business loans, banks and building societies have been told to support their business clients. Some banks are operating behind closed doors but are contactable by telephone, email and through online portals. Loans are repayable. See more information.

Feedback – Many banks and building societies are not making loans easily available to businesses. It is hoped that pressure will be put on them by the Government to ensure the situation improves. The BID has a list of helpful contacts, please email info@cheltenhambid.co.uk for more detail.

• HMRC – Support for businesses paying tax. Any business concerned about paying outstanding tax liabilities to HMRC may be able to take advantage of the ‘Time To Pay’ service.

It has also been said that HMRC will waive late payment penalties and interest where a business experiences administrative difficulty contacting HMRC or paying taxes due to COVID-19. Any business concerned about being able to pay tax can call HMRC’s dedicated helpline on 0800 0159 559

Feedback – Businesses stated that HRMC were helpful and had already authorised to defer payment on everything they owed for a significant period. These payments include PAYE, VAT and Cooperation TAX.

WELFARE

Welfare and wellbeing of individuals and employees

Information can be found on the Government Business Support website here and at ACAS, Coronavirus: advice for employers and employees.

Financial, emotional and physical support for individuals is available through several charities. The Retail Trust has resources to help you support your employees.

Feedback –Some employers still have some staff working. It is important to think about their wellbeing and welfare whether they are working from home or still working in the public. Some employees are not used to working on their own and dealing with technology by themselves.

The coronavirus outbreak means that life has changed for all of us and this may cause employees/employers to feel anxious, stressed, worried, sad, bored, lonely or frustrated. It is important for employers to make daily contact to check on their staff, particularly those working from home. The ‘Stay at Home’ message needs to be stressed consistently along with the ‘one form of daily exercise’.

Police Update – Kevan Blackadder provided an update from Cheltenham Police. He said that while there had been relatively little anti-social behaviour so far, the police were aware there could be possible ASB within the town and are planning for the Easter weekend ahead. The Police’s strategy moving forward is Explain, Engage, Encourage and Enforce and if necessary, they will act.

Feedback –There was a concern raised around the amount of locked down potentially vulnerable businesses. The police have confirmed to the BID that while they cannot act as full-time security patrols, they are aware that they need to keep an eye on business premises as well as residential.

MARKETING AND SOCIAL

A lot of businesses have closed all together or are offering an online retail or food and drink takeaway/delivery service. See how you can engage online.

Feedback – The advice given was to concentrate on retaining your existing online customers. An online customer doesn’t necessarily just mean people who have bought from you but anyone who has indicated that they are interested in you and your brand. This could be an engagement or a ‘like’ or ‘follow’ of a social media page/account. Businesses need to be reminding their customers why they ‘liked’ them in the first place and letting them know that they are ‘still here’. Businesses can create engaging story telling content by creating ‘behind the scenes’ content, ‘style/recipe guides’, positivity and ‘throwback’ posts.

Businesses fed back with examples of their soft selling, engaging posts with ‘humour’ and ‘fun’ was a theme highlighted; whilst encouraging others to take part in sharing the engagement. Direct communication with customers was mentioned either through virtual or telephone calls, emails or a chunky posted letter for that personalised touch.  

Q & A

Visit Cheltenham was mentioned as vital channel for information on businesses offering takeaways and/or deliveries along with other fantastic consumer information around free online activities for adults, families and children.

Businesses asked about information to share with employees and customers around local volunteering. Councils across the county have come together with the police and health partners to create the hub to connect local people who need help, with individuals, groups and businesses who can provide the support they need.

The hub can be accessed at here.

It includes four areas:

1.‘I can offer help’ – is for those who are able to support neighbours with tasks such as picking up prescriptions, shopping, dog walking and more

2.‘I need help’ – can be used by individuals to ask for support

3.‘My neighbour needs help’ – may be used by people to request help on behalf of a neighbour, relative or friend who cannot access the internet themselves

4.‘My business can help’ – will allow local businesses who may have skills and resources others could benefit from, to offer their help

The information collected will be shared with the relevant local district or borough council who will connect people who can help each other, or if appropriate refer individuals to an existing service.

Residents are encouraged to share details of the community help hub on social media using the hashtag #GlosCommunity.

The businesses thanked the BID for what they said was a very valuable call and asked for similar calls to be arranged soon.

After representations from Cheltenham BID, it’s great to see Cheltenahm Bourough Council leader Steve Jordan calling on commercial landlords to work with tenants to make new rent arrangements as the impact of COVID-19 bites in so many ways.

In an open letter to commercial landlords the leader of the council encourages both landlords and tenants to explore interim solutions to ensure that local businesses remain viable.

In these unprecedented times, businesses are extremely concerned about the severe impact that Covid-19 is having.  The council has responded rapidly by being one of the first councils in the UK to start paying grants to eligible businesses and to date, almost £5 million has been paid to over 300 Cheltenham businesses, with more payments being made on a daily basis, as part of a £24.5 million package of Government support for the borough.

In an open letter to Cheltenham commercial landlords and tenants, Councillor Steve Jordan leader of the council said: “Cheltenham BID has brought to our attention their significant concerns from many commercial tenants on the level of rent payments still expected. These are shared by our local MP, Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce and Federation of Small Businesses Gloucestershire.

‘’Whilst we are aware that lots of positive action is being taken by many landlords to support their tenants, from this unprecedented financial storm of closed doors, no cash flow and mounting bills, we would urgently encourage those landlords who have not yet contacted their tenants to do so immediately to explore what interim solutions can be agreed to ensure the continued viability of important local businesses.

‘’We are also aware of many innovative local arrangements between landlords and tenants, and local business professional bodies; such as the BID and FSB, are able to provide examples of solutions that have been agreed to ensure local businesses can remain viable.

‘’I and other representative groups believe that there is both a moral, ethical and commercial imperative for landlords and tenants to work together to ensure Cheltenham’s business community is best placed for when the situation changes.

‘’We fully understand that this will equally impose a short-term impact on the financial standing of property portfolios, but against this will be the risk of losing tenants permanently and facing long-term voids, given not only the length of the disruption but the unknown length of the recovery for each and every business.’’

A full range of business support measures can be found at www.cheltenham.gov.uk/coronavirus-business-advice

The Eat Out to Help Scheme started last week, and the BID made sure all eligible businesses knew how to register, the terms and conditions and how to claim. Our ambassadors have spoken to some businesses who have given positive feedback on how the scheme is already helping them.

The BID is also working with Visit Cheltenham on a focused campaign around promoting those businesses offering the initiative throughout August by sharing their content across digital channels such as the Visit Cheltenham website and social media. Please send your Eat Out To Help Out content to info@cheltenhambid.co.uk to be included in the promotions.

Cheltenham BID has stepped in to help Cheltenham Borough Council act quickly to support businesses eligible for grants during the coronavirus epidemic.

The council has received £24.5 million from Government and grants have already started to be paid out. Payments will continue to be made daily. 

The council is one of the first local authorities in the country to get grants paid to businesses and to date, over £4 million has been paid to 250 businesses; the latest grants will hit bank accounts by Monday. The BID was able to help by contacting businesses to ensure they completed documents needed by the council to make the payments.

During the past fortnight, 280 businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sector have received revised bills from the council which now gives 100% retail discount. A further 500 businesses have been identified as potentially eligible for expanded retail discount subject to state aid limits being removed. Once confirmation has been received from the Government revised bills awarding the discount can be issued immediately.

Kevan Blackadder, Director of Cheltenham Business Improvement District, said: ‘’We welcome the council’s rapid action to help the business community and we have been able to support them by contacting our businesses through the out-of-hours information they have shared with us in the past.’’

Cllr Rowena Hay, cabinet member for finance, says: “We’re working as quickly as we can to pay the grants to eligible businesses however we do have to make checks to ensure payments are being made to the correct businesses.

“Payments are being made via BACS and we are aiming for the money to be in business bank accounts within five working days of receiving the completed form. In some cases we may need to contact businesses to clarify details but we will do this as quickly as possible.”

Paul Jones, executive director finance and assets, continued: “We value the importance of our businesses in Cheltenham and I am proud that our staff, with support from our partners at Cheltenham BID, have made significant strides in identifying those businesses who qualify for both cash grants and reliefs.

“It is satisfying that we are one of the first local authorities in the country to get cash ‘out of the door’ to support our valued business community in their time of need.’’

Businesses are urged to check if they are eligible by visiting cheltenham.gov.uk and through the coronavirus update section on the website visit the business advice and support pages.

As lockdown has eased, we have been delighted to welcome businesses back into town for the first time since March.

The BID team made weekly trips into the town centre to put down social distancing stickers in preparation for when the town began to reopen. We contacted those businesses where the largest queues were likely to form and continue to work with them, the county and the borough council to manage queues and keep people safe and confident.

During and post-lockdown we stayed in regular contact with Cheltenham Borough Council, Gloucestershire County Council, Gloucestershire Constabulary, Marketing Cheltenham, town centre partners and our wide network of independent and national retailers and other businesses.

The BID’s Ambassadors spent hours weeding areas of the town centre which had become overgrown during lockdown and the BID in Bloom displays were installed to help make the town look beautiful this summer.  

With the mandatory wearing of face coverings from Friday 25 July, the BID is offering independent businesses free face coverings to encourage customers to comply and have confidence in going into their businesses.

The Eat Out to Help Out Scheme started last week, and the BID made sure all eligible businesses knew how to register, the terms and conditions and how to claim. The BID has also started a focussed campaign promoting those businesses offering the initiative to customers Mondays- Wednesdays through August.

What the BID did during lockdown

Cheltenham BID stepped in to help Cheltenham Borough Council be one of the first Local Authorities to pay eligible businesses their grants during the coronavirus epidemic.

The BID was able to help by contacting more than 100 businesses to ensure they completed documents needed by the council to make the payments.

After representations from Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham Borough Council leader Steve Jordan called on commercial landlords to work with tenants to make new rent arrangements as the impact of COVID-19 bites in so many ways.

The BID helped businesses access information on The Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furloughing) and helped some to draft letters to their employees.  

We also supported the #RaiseTheBar campaign, asking central Government to expand the rateable value threshold for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses from £51,000 to any business with a rateable value up to and including £150,000, allowing businesses the opportunity to access the £25,000 grant in order to survive. The BID was successful in helping some businesses that wouldn’t have received a Government grant otherwise.

What are the main concerns for Cheltenham businesses as they tackle the impact of the coronavirus? What funding and support is there to help them and what further help do they need?

It was questions like these that inspired Cheltenham BID to hold its first video conference call and subsequently a further six for our businesses. The calls hosted many sector professionals including Environmental Health leaders, licensed venue consultants and business management expertise. We created three focused guides during lockdown, helping businesses of all kinds prepare for reopening. The guides were: First Steps to Getting Your Business Ready; Health and Safety Essentials and Top Marketing Tips. These guides are still relevant and available on our website.

Cheltenham has been voted the best place to live in the South West 2020 by The Sunday Times with its education, culture and connectivity highlighted amongst its best attributes.

Cheltenham is no stranger to such accolades, having been voted by The Telegraph as the best place in the UK to raise a family in 2014. However, this latest recognition highlights why Cheltenham is fast becoming a destination for those wishing to enjoy the relaxation of countryside living without missing out on the culture of a big city.

Alongside its well-known horse racing and stunning Regency architecture, the article details the town’s incredible food and drink offering, from its Michelin starred restaurant to its more recent crop of cool cafes and classy gastro pubs. In addition, Cheltenham boasts a huge choice of shops and is seen by many as the shopping destination for The Cotswolds. There are also over 25 festivals a year, from the world leading Literature Festival to the longest running Cricket Festival and for those rare times festivals aren’t on, locals and visitors can get their dose of culture at one of the town’s four theatres or the town’s highly regarded museum.

The article also mentions the incredible selection of schools the town has, from private schools and grammar schools to highly rated comprehensives, many of which are considered amongst the best in the whole of the South West.

Cheltenham is also recognised for its connections to major cities such as Bristol, Birmingham and London making it perfect for commuters and visitors. This follows a timetable change by Great Western Railway in December which saw train journeys cut to less than two hours for some journeys to London.

Cheltenham has a firm focus on the future too though, with the town’s famous resident – the UK government’s cyber hub GCHQ – at the heart of ambitious plans to establish Cheltenham as one of the world’s cyber tech capitals. Plans for a new campus and cyber-tech community, Cyber Central – a 45 hectare site at the heart of the 200 hectare Golden Valley development to the west of the town and adjacent to the GCHQ site – are now accelerating under the leadership of Cheltenham Borough Council. The Council recently bought the land on which the site will be developed for £37.5m seizing, as they see it, the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a world-leading cyber-tech hub in Cheltenham, with the associated economic and social benefits this will bring.

Tracey Crews, Director of Planning at Cheltenham Borough Council said “This announcement comes at one of the most unprecedented periods of change as we deal with the impacts of COVID-19.  What we are already seeing is communities and businesses rallying together.  Not only do we have a strong basis upon which to address economic recovery, but the support of our businesses, residents and visitors.  Together we will get through this and build upon the positive success factors which has led to Cheltenham being voted the best place to live in the South West.”

Images of Imperial Gardens and Regency Cheltenham, credit Visit Cheltenham

For more information, contact Emma Gill on 07468 716023 e:emma.gill@marketingcheltenham.co.uk 

The eagerly awaited ice rink coming to Cheltenham would be part of a new-look Christmas in the town centre.

The Christmas Market would be expanded in a project-led by the BID and the outdoor Imperial Garden Bar would be given a Christmas-theme and opened for the festive celebrations.

Cheltenham Borough Council’s planning committee approved the BID’s plans for an ice rink in Imperial Gardens last year.

Due to on-going work at The Quadrangle, which is undergoing a multi-million-pound refurbishment, the original site planned for the rink within the gardens will not be available.

The BID is now submitting a new application to use the neighbouring quarter of the gardens in front of The Queens Hotel Cheltenham – Mgallery.

It also wants to expand the Christmas Market with stalls on pavements at the Long Gardens and on either side of The Promenade close to the ice rink. This will be in addition to the traditional Christmas market area on the pedestrianised Promenade in front of Cavendish House.

The ice rink operators would be 11^th Hour, who have run successful rinks across the country, including Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland this winter.

Like the Cardiff rink, the Cheltenham rink would be covered and so would be the only one in Gloucestershire to offer skating whatever the weather. The rink would have glass sides and a transparent roof.

The proposal has been welcomed by neighbouring businesses.

Erol Uray, General Manager of the Queen’s Hotel, said: “We’re delighted at the plans for a new ice rink on our doorstep as part of the Christmas offer in Cheltenham this year.

“Town centres need to change to attract a wide range of customers and, with the rink, an expanded Christmas market and another spectacular lights display, Cheltenham would be able to compete with the best.”

Cheltenham BID Director Kevan Blackadder said: “We believe the ice rink and expanded Christmas markets would bring something different to Cheltenham this year.

“We’re delighted to be working with The Cheltenham Trust on their proposals for the Imperial Garden Bar, which would also help create a great visitor experience.”

It is with deep regret that we have taken the decision to cancel this year’s Hidden Cheltenham Easter Trail in response to the worst public health crisis in a generation. The safety of our volunteers, businesses employees and families is our priority in relation to COVID-19

The popular Hidden Trail Easter will return in April 2021.

The themed Trail was due to run Tuesday to Saturday through the Easter Holidays.

We sincerely wish good health for you and your families during these uncertain times.

Superdry supports its local community first

Julian Dunkerton’s love for his local community – Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and the surrounding areas – are paramount. This meant his initial response to support the fight against COVID-19 is to think local. The serial entrepreneur, Superdry’s CEO will lead a series of initiatives to support the fight against COVID-19, which begins at home, here in Gloucestershire.

Cotton essentials for key workers

Morgan Church, a designer at the Superdry Creative Centre, Cheltenham told us about his friends who work in the NHS and how committed they were to work through this crisis. He told us they really feel bushed at the end of a shift and would love some fresh clothes to put on, so we decided to help him with this creative-led scheme. It started locally with donations from Superdry staff, family and friends, but we quickly decided to make it nationwide.

Julian loved the idea so much he pledged if we hit the target, he will triple it! So in effect we triple our ability to donate 100% organic cotton essentials to NHS heroes.

The first parcels are due to go out next week. Anyone is welcome to get involved!

Link to donate

Protecting the vulnerable in care homes

The Superdry business initiative is to donate 100K gloves, masks and aprons as well as 20K visors to key workers in Gloucestershire care homes, to help protect the most vulnerable.

Both enterprises will work hand in hand, to protect the most vulnerable and support those on the frontline.

Designated COVID-19 key workers can now park free of charge in selected council-owned car parks whilst carrying out their key tasks.

NHS workers can park for free now in any Cheltenham Borough Council car park, by following the government advice about displaying identification in their car window and staff working in the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have been allocated designated parking.

Any key worker (as currently defined by the UK government) can apply for a permit to park for free in one of five car parks allocated by the council: Coronation Square, St George’s Road, Commercial Street, Rodney Road and Sherborne Place.
To apply, visit www.cheltenham.gov.uk/key-worker-parking and ensure that the online form is completed with full details.

Cllr Andrew McKinlay, cabinet member for development and safety, said: “We are working with our key delivery partners to do all we can to help the response to this unprecedented health crisis. We hope that this offer of free parking for key workers will reduce some of the pressure and make life just a little easier for them at this difficult time.”

Anyone applying for a permit is asked to read the terms and conditions on the council’s website before clicking the ‘save and continue’ button at the bottom of the page.
Requests for permits will be processed and email confirmations sent out as a priority.

For further information about the work the council is doing in the community and for businesses, please see its new dedicated webpages: www.cheltenham.gov.uk/coronavirus.

A community help hub has been set up to provide support to cope with the changes to lifestyles necessary to delay the spread of Covid-19. Anyone in Gloucestershire who needs help or wants to volunteer, is asked to go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/helphub or telephone 01452 583519.

Media release from Cheltenham Borough Council

Parking in all council-run car parks will be free of charge every afternoon during Cheltenham race week, for customers arriving from 1pm onwards.

From Monday 9 to Friday 13 March 2020 inclusive, visitors can enjoy the town centre for longer thanks to free parking. The initiative is designed to encourage shoppers to visit during Cheltenham’s Gold Cup festival, providing support to local retailers and businesses during what can otherwise be a quiet time for the town centre.

*Car parks allowing free parking to customers arriving after 1pm each day from Monday 9 to Friday 13 March 2019 are:

*Free afternoon parking during race week applies only to the council-run car parks listed. It does NOT apply to Chester Walk, North Place, NCP Portland Street, NCP The Brewery Quarter, Sandford Lido, CitiPark John Lewis, or any other privately-run car park in the town centre, neither does it apply to on-street parking.

Councillor Steve Jordan, leader at Cheltenham Borough Council, said: “There is a real buzz in Cheltenham when the races come to town, but we know that some retailers in the town centre experience a very quiet time throughout the day. We would very much welcome those who aren’t busy at the races, to visit our vibrant town centre and all that it has to offer.”

Kevan Blackadder, director of Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID), added: “Too many locals stay away from the town centre during race week, but it’s a great time to come into town.

“It’s good to see that the council is again supporting this initiative, which I’m sure will help more businesses make the very best of the opportunities that race week brings. While it’s a fantastic time for our many food and drink businesses, we need to ensure that retailers and others benefit as well.”

BID levy payers are invited to our COVID-19 Business Support virtual Conference Call.

Tuesday 21 April Zoom call is now FULL.

NEXT CALL – Thursday 23 April . Please request to sign up for

How? Zoom call 
Date: Thursday 23 April
Time: 2pm – 3pm

How do I sign up? Request the call link, ID and Password from maria@cheltenhambid.co.uk.

Headlines

1. Landlords and tenants

2. Business Recovery discussion

3.Operating and Finance – updates

4. Marketing and Social Media – updates

5.Welfare – updates

6.Your asks of the BID

Follow/Like Cheltenham BID and our consumer channel OurChelt in advance of call.

There will be an opportunity for a limited number of questions to be asked during the webinar, but please email any questions in advance to info@cheltenhambid.co.uk

This is a free webinar for the BID levy payers of Cheltenham, brought to you by Cheltenham BID.

Two major buildings are being lit in a special colour scheme in support of the Motor Neurone Disease Association charity during our Light Up Cheltenham event.

Queens Hotel Cheltenham – MGallery and 95 The Promenade (to the rear of Neptune’s Fountain) will be lit in orange and blue, the colours of the charity, on the weekend of 8 and 9 February.

The lights will be changing colours in support of two local people who suffer from Motor Neurone Disease (MND). Mark Morris, aged 49, is the well-known businessman who ran The Flower Man for many years, and Alex Edwards, 50, is a legal secretary at Wiggins Osborne Fullerlove Solicitors, who are based at 95 The Promenade.

Motor Neurone Disease is a rare condition, with around two in every 100,000 people diagnosed in Britain each year. The disease affects the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, causing the function of motor neurons to break down, making everyday activities increasingly difficult or completely impossible. Over time, the condition becomes progressively worse as the muscle weakens.

Mark only realised something was wrong in September 2018 when he tried Pilates to help with flexibility for upcoming races. He found he could not lie on his back without running out of breath.

It was not until February last year that he was referred to a neurologist who told him within days that he had Motor Neurone Disease.

Mark said: “Mine has a life span of 18 months, but who knows? I have cut a lot of stress out of my life and sold the business so you never know.”

Alex and her husband Paul, of Whitehorn Drive, Cheltenham, have three children and she says her life changed in October last year when she was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease.

She had been leading a healthy and active lifestyle but hadn’t been feeling well since January 2018. Her father also had MND and died when she was 13.

Alex said: “It is such a hard disease to diagnose so I had eight months of not knowing, but I knew it wasn’t going to be good.  When I was told, it was devastating but also a relief in a weird way to find out what was wrong with me.

“It is a cruel disease as there is no cure (yet) and it’s so unpredictable.  My father had the disease for 18 months.  I have been told I have the slow version but who knows what slow is?

“I have the most supportive husband and kids and wonderful friends who keep me going, and going is what I am going to do. Live every moment I can to the full and make as many memories as I can. Life is totally for living. Who knows what the future will hold.”

The Motor Neurone Disease Association charity will be carrying out a street collection over the two days and handing out awareness leaflets.

Chris James, Director of External Affairs at the charity, said: “It is essential that we raise awareness of MND so people understand what a devastating disease it is. Having prominent buildings in Cheltenham lit up in Association colours is fantastic for awareness and we are grateful for the support of everyone affected by MND in Cheltenham who made this possible. Together we can make a real difference for people affected by MND.”

Shoppers will be able to benefit from discounts of up to 70 per cent from some of the Cotswolds’ favourite retailers at Cheltenham’s Boutique Sale.

The popular event will be held for the fourth consecutive year on Sunday January 26 in the beautiful surroundings of The Princess Hall at Cheltenham Ladies College.

Cheltenham BID has brought together ten businesses for Cheltenham’s Boutique Sale 2020. With free admission to the event, they are looking forward to welcoming hundreds of shoppers between 11am and 3pm.

The first three events have seen more than 600 people coming through the doors on the day, taking advantage of the array of women’s and men’s fashion, shoes, jewellery, beauty products and wedding attire on offer. 

The BID is pleased to welcome back Beards, Bodega, Cocoa Couture, Harris Rea, James of Montpellier, Keith Scarrott Shoes, Law & Co and Molton Brown.  Joining them for the first time will be Arkell & Wills and Jackeroo Boutique.

Richard Dare, Owner of James of Montpellier said: “This is our fourth year at the Boutique sale and we just keep on coming back because it works so well for us. By combining our efforts with other local businesses, the event brilliantly showcases some of the exceptional retail brands we have in Cheltenham. Not only that, it also really does provide customers with the perfect opportunity to pick up some true bargains.”

Bargain hunters will have the chance to enter a Facebook competition in the lead-up to the event. They could win a £50 voucher to spend with their favourite retailer on the day. While they make up their mind, they can relax in the café and enjoy refreshments which will be provided by the Cheltenham Ladies College café.

This popular shopping experience is a great way to support local businesses and get the look you want this winter for a real bargain.

See the list of shops that stayed open and all late night shopping events that were on offer. See the full gallery from the evening.

Cheltenham’s streets were filled with entertainment during its late-night shopping event on the 5 December from 5pm-8pm. The event saw many town centre shops open, including the area of Montpellier open until 8pm offering free parking at Cheltenham Borough Council car parks from 1pm.

Visitors were able to *travel for free on Stagecoach services within the borough, including services D and E from Bishops Cleeve and free travel from Cheltenham’s two Park & Ride’s from 1pm. Citipark car park at John Lewis also offered free car parking from 1pm.

Tim Atkins, acting chief executive for Cheltenham Borough Council, says: “We’re delighted to be working with Stagecoach and the BID to offer our residents free bus travel, including park and ride, and free parking in our car parks all from 1pm for this year’s late night shopping event on Thursday 5 December.

“This is an ideal opportunity for people to try out Cheltenham’s great bus services and we hope this will encourage more people to think about their options for travelling into town.”

Cheltenham’s late-night shopping will see a variety of entertainers including carol singers, a brass trio and a Christmas magician, all to keep busy shoppers entertained whilst they enjoy some festive retail. See What’s on

More than 40 BID Businesses offered festive surprises for shoppers.

For all future events please check VisitCheltenham.com.

Cheltenham’s Christmas lights were switched on in style on Saturday 23 November to the delight of spectators. See photos from the event.

The three parades, starting separately from Cambray Place, The Brewery Quarter and Montpellier Street, told the famous tale of selfish Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas past, present and future who show him the error of his ways and what the true spirit of Christmas is all about.

With a different personality for each ghost, spectators were encouraged to choose which ghost they wanted to follow.

Once at The Queens Hotel, spectators were on hand with help and encouragement (alongside lots of boos and cheers), and Scrooge finally learnt the meaning of Christmas, helping to bring Christmas lights to Cheltenham alongside the most famous festive figure of all, Father Christmas.

Cheltenham saw thousands of spectators join in, following the parades and taking part in the event. With the Christmas market also in full swing, visitors were able to get hot food, refreshments and early Christmas gifts as the parade moved through the town.

The BID not only organised the event but also increased the number of Christmas lights from the previous year, adding lights to Winchcombe Street for the first time.

Kevan Blackadder, Director of Cheltenham BID, said of the event: “It was great to see so many people following the parades. The atmosphere really built up as the crowds gathered round the stage and it was wonderful to hear all the excited children’s voices when the lights were turned on.”

Either side of the parade, the town also saw The Regent Arcade and The Brewery Quarter light switch-ons, with a host of entertainment on offer.

For more information and the latest updates on Christmas activities around Cheltenham see www.visitcheltenham.com

If you love your home, the chances are you’ve been into Lakeland Cheltenham, so you’ll understand why we’ve chosen them as this month’s BID Business of the Month.

With the array of professional cookware, innovative cleaning and storage products, quirky gadgets and essential electrical items, Lakeland has a faithful customer base who come from all over the Cotswolds and beyond, returning time and time again.

Helen White, Store Manager, takes every opportunity to get involved in events around the town. She regularly attends the Prom Traders meetings and frequently brings along a sample of Lakeland’s most recent promotion.

When the BID approached Helen to see if Lakeland could be involved with the Hidden Cheltenham Summer Trail, she immediately began looking at an innovative way to engage the youngsters.  She came up with an idea to get children creative – and a way to get parents shopping.  She said: “The summer trail has been great for us.  Whilst the children make their icing bees, the parents are browsing and buying.  I’m so pleased the BID asked us to be involved.”

The BID is always happy to share Lakeland Cheltenham’s social media posts and they make it very easy for us by tagging us in their posts.  They’re also good at sharing our events on their social media page, linking them with their promotions. Helen always finds a way to make the most of the BID’s events, whether it’s promoting cocktail shakers and glasses during Cheltenham Cocktail Week or bunny shaped cake moulds during the Easter Hidden Trail. 

Lakeland Cheltenham accepts the Cheltenham Gift Card and has been featured in some of our promotional material, helping to spread the word and encourage people to #SpendInCheltenham.

As BID Business of the month, Lakeland Cheltenham will have a representative speaker at the next Cheltenham Business Forum event.  We will highlight them across our social media channels, and they will feature on the home page of our website.

Cheltenham Business Improvement District (BID) has worked with The Cheltenham Trust and Cheltenham Borough Council’s, No Child Left Behind campaign on a free Hidden Cheltenham Summer trail for through-out the Summer holiday.

A year of action started in January 2019 designed with partners to address the main areas of children in poverty. Educational, fun and supportive events, activities and campaigns will engage and involve young people and offer them the confidence to get support if they need it.  Follow them on Facebook and Twitter @NCLBchelt.

The Hidden Cheltenham Summer Trail is following in the footsteps of our successful Easter trail that took place this April and saw more than 300 families successfully complete the trail.

Antonia Burgess posted on the Facebook group ‘Entertaining the kids on a budget – Gloucestershire ‘: “The Easter egg hunt that starts at The Wilson is fab! Me and little boy had such a lovely time walking around today and when you stop at Hollywood Bowling you get given a voucher that entitles a child to a free bowl. Everyone was so lovely at each stop and then when you completed the trail and have the word you go back to The Wilson and the children get an egg…all for free!! Brace yourself for a good walk as it’s a bit of trek but that only added to the trail and my little boy was so tired after it that bedtime was an absolute breeze!”

The Summer trail will start on Wednesday July 17 and will run from 9am-5pm Monday to Saturday until Monday September 2. The event will be part of the No Child Left Behind free activities calendar that will be sent to every child enrolled at a Primary School in Cheltenham. See event information

Sign-up via to receive a digital map and exclusive clues the day before or just turn up and pick up a map and instructions from The Wilson Art Gallery to start your tasks.

The trail encourages families to use observation skills, beginner’s numeracy skills, physical exercise and team work to complete the trail. A goodie bag will be given to each child that completes the trail.