Cheltenham launches post-lockdown marketing campaign

With government guidance allowing non-essential retailers to open from Monday 15 June, Cheltenham says it is ready to welcome shoppers back into town for the first time since March.

To coincide with the opening of many retailers, Marketing Cheltenham, Cheltenham’s Destination Marketing Organisation, has launched the Cheltenham - We’re Open campaign.

The marketing campaign promotes Cheltenham as the ideal place for the public to visit as the lockdown begins to ease. Offering wide open streets, plenty of public parks and a huge array of shops, from high street labels and independents, Cheltenham is uniquely placed to offer visitors a safe, clean and spacious place to enjoy the things they’ve been missing.

Marketing Cheltenham, which runs the Visit Cheltenham website which has seen engagement throughout the Covid-19 lockdown from locals seeking inspiration on things to do, is hoping businesses across the town will get behind the campaign and support the town as it moves towards a post-lockdown recovery. The campaign incorporates messaging reflecting on what the public will have missed most during the lockdown, from shopping to seeing friends and will be accompanied by its own logo.

David Jackson, Manager of Marketing Cheltenham said: “Cheltenham is uniquely placed to offer our local residents and day trippers alike the sort of shopping experience that we’ve all missed over the last three months. Not only do we have all the top high street brands as well as a huge range of independent shops and boutiques, but we also have stunning, tree-lined Regency streets and the most beautiful parks, gardens and open spaces to allow for family time and safe social distancing. Our Cheltenham - We’re Open campaign helps to highlight this.”

“By working with partners such as Cheltenham BID, Cheltenham Borough Council and The Cheltenham Trust as well as our members, we want to spread the campaign message far and wide, welcoming the public back to our town and to support Cheltenham’s economic recovery after a long three months in lockdown.”

Kevan Blackadder, Director of Cheltenham BID said, “I’m delighted to see the launch of this campaign at such a crucial time for both the town and its businesses. The whole process of businesses opening is going to be gradual but it’s important that everyone knows about our wide range of shops and everything else that The Festival Town has going for it.”

“Since long before the lockdown, we have been highlighting the fact that our town centre is not just a shopping centre but also a destination. I’m looking forward to welcoming back Cheltonians as well as people from across Gloucestershire and beyond.”

“We have been doing a lot of work to try to ensure that shops meet all the required safety requirements and hope that visitors will be reassured that Cheltenham is not only a great place to be but also a safe place to be.”

Although initially promoting the opening of non-essential retailers, the campaign will continue throughout the coming months as more businesses including the hospitality sector begin to open.