Cheltenham BID has launched a four-pronged campaign to try to help ensure that businesses in the town are fully prepared when they can come out of coronavirus lockdown.

Fittingly named 'Back to Business with Cheltenham BID', it will see the BID sharing four focused guides that it is hoped will help businesses of all kinds both prepare for opening and ensure they are ready when the time comes to actually throw open their doors.

They are: First Steps to Getting Your Business Ready; Health and Safety Essentials; Top Marketing Tips and Benefits and Savings.

The First Steps to Getting Your Business Ready information will be published today on the BID's website  and will be mailed directly to its businesses. It contains details on reviewing staff policies, getting premises prepared and how to ensure physical distancing is maintained inside and out.

It also includes a "Staying COVID-19 Secure in 2020" poster, which we hope businesses will display to reassure both customers and staff.

The other three guides will follow over the next three days.

Kevan Blackadder, BID director said: "This is a timely campaign following last night's announcement by the Prime Minister that all retailers should be able to open on June 15.

"By following the advice in the four guides, our businesses should not only be safe for customers but also ready to hit the ground running with marketing advice to help improve their sales.

"It is not just a retail campaign, however, and we're sure our hospitality, leisure and professional sector businesses will also be keen to follow the advice."

Cheltenham BID has been helping essential businesses that have been open throughout the pandemic by providing stickers highlighting the two-metre social distancing measures. The BID said it will continue to supply the stickers to other businesses as they open in coming weeks.