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Christmas Shopping in Cheltenham #supportlocal

Christmas Shopping in Cheltenham during Covid

Cheltenham urges public to shop local and support small businesses with new Christmas campaign.

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 shop local and support small 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 small businesses’ which has been created so people can find and order from local businesses which otherwise might have struggled to compete with large national chains and the 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.