Throughout the pandemic Winchester BID’s Support Your Local Businesses campaign has helped to keep the public informed about how they can continue to support local businesses as we have moved in and out of restrictions – we also recently teamed up with the Hampshire Chronicle to deliver the Love Local Business campaign and now we are launching ‘Safe and Open’ to support businesses as they reopen again.
During February and March we worked in partnership with the Hampshire Chronicle and Winchester City Council to deliver the Love Local Business campaign to support the local business community. BID members benefitted from print and online media, including stories, profiles, news and information each week to highlight our fantastic business community, as well as the opportunity to access free and discounted advertising in print and online. There was also a competition for local businesses and Open House Deli in Middle Brook Street won four months of free advertising and ongoing support.
Now, this April in partnership with the Hampshire Chronicle and as an extension to the Love Local Business campaign we are launching Safe and Open which will support businesses as they reopen over the coming weeks and months as we progress through the Government’s roadmap to ease lockdown restrictions in England.
The Prime Minister has confirmed the next step will come on 12 April as planned, when many businesses will be able to reopen, including non-essential retail, personal care premises such as hairdressers, beauty and nail salons, and indoor leisure facilities such as gyms and spas. Overnight stays away from home in England will be permitted and self-contained accommodation can also reopen. Public buildings such as libraries and community centres will reopen and the majority of outdoor settings and attractions can also reopen, including outdoor hospitality.
BID members reopening on 12 April are encouraged to send us a photo, their business name, address and website for the chance to be included in a special feature in the Hampshire Chronicle newspaper on 22 April as well as online to celebrate businesses reopening in Winchester city centre.
Please send photos and information to thania.miah@winchesterbid.co.uk by Friday 16 April.
The next step to follow this will take place no earlier than 17 May when we hope that indoor hospitality, indoor entertainment and attractions, indoor sport, remaining accommodation and remaining outdoor entertainment will be able to reopen. For BID member businesses reopening at this time there will again be opportunities to be included in a special feature in the Hampshire Chronicle newspaper on 27 May and online.
Please send photos and information to enquiries@winchesterbid.co.uk by Friday 21 May.
For the latest updates, follow Winchester BID on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter or visit hampshirechronicle.co.uk.
