With funding from the Government’s ‘Reopening the High Street Safely Fund’, we have been working on a campaign at Tewkesbury Borough Council to promote the safe reopening of our local high streets.
From promoting key messages on social media to sharing success stories from business owners in Tewkesbury, Winchcombe and Bishops Cleeve, the Let’s Spring Back campaign aims to support businesses like yours!
Case study
Winchcombe
In response to the pandemic, and at the end of the 2021 lockdown, the Let’s Spring Back project was developed by Tewkesbury Borough Council, working with V8 Media Ltd.
Under the banner, ‘Shop Safe - Shop Local - Be Kind’ the campaign’s aim was to encourage people to shop local and return to our high streets, safely.
This work forms part of the Government’s Reopening of the High Street Safety Fund, in line with the roadmap out of lockdown and encompassing businesses and community communications, whilst supporting shoppers and retail businesses.
Here we look at two Winchcombe outlets that support Let’s Spring Back. They are JUST inCASE Gifts, an independent shop offering a wide variety of gifts, and Lavender Blue, which sells a range of ladies' clothing, accessories and footwear.
But first, let’s take a walk around Winchcombe.
Winchcombe
Nestling at the foot of the Cotswold hills, Winchcombe is a charming, well-kept market town that retains unique history and character.
It is not only a popular stepping-off point for hillwalking, it’s also the perfect ‘potter about’ retail and visitor destination.
Choose from thriving independent clothing and gift boutiques, delicious delis, taste-tempting tea rooms and fine dining pubs. There are also antique shops, art galleries, museums, nationally recognised visitor attractions, and more.
JUST inCASE Gifts
Business owner Claire Johnstone explains what JUST inCASE Gifts has done, to support the Let’s Spring Back campaign and help their customers stay safe.
“We follow all the Government guidelines to create a safe shopping environment,” she said. “This includes keeping the doors open to maximise ventilation and offering hand sanitisation and face masks to all customers. We also have signage throughout the store, to encourage social distancing.”
In addition, employees at JUST inCASE Gifts wear their facemasks and the store has plastic screens at checkout. Further, because shop staff handle money and receive deliveries often, they hand sanitise and wipe down surfaces, throughout the day.
“It was great to see the majority of local shops reopening following lockdown,” said Claire. “We’ve all undertaken our Risk Assessments.
Lavender Blue
Round the corner at Lavender Blue, owner Hilary Mervyn-Smith is also an advocate of the Let’s Spring Back campaign.
“Safety is important and we follow the guidelines and limit the number of shoppers in our store,” said Hilary.
“We provide hand sanitisers for customers and we steam clean each garment after try on before returning it to display. Enabling people to try on clothing is important and, to further ensure this is undertaken safely, we also sanitise the changing rooms.”
“From a Covid perspective, Winchcombe is a safe place to visit and business is going very well,” she said.
Staying local and shopping safely are some of the best ways to show your support for local businesses. Remember, ‘Shop Safe, Shop Local, BE Kind and together Let’s Spring Back.