By Kevin Painter

ON Saturday, representatives of Tetbury Town Council and Tetbury Chamber of Commerce met with representatives of Cotswold District Council to discuss what will be put in place when many of the shops/ businesses re-open to ensure the safety of residents, visitors and workers.

They took away many of the ideas such as having a one-way pedestrianised system.

They were also reminded that areas such as London Road, although not in the town centre still have a large volume of customers and will need to be included.

District councillors Nikki Ind and Richard Norris will be discussing what they have learnt at the next council meeting to see what can be further implemented.

They informed us that they will be definitely distributing a business pack to shops and businesses, that have been produced.

Tetbury Mayor Ann Pearce thanks them for attending and looks forward to the results of their meeting

ALL shops/business will be given a business support pack which will contain the following: a letter with useful information and links to key guidance on safely reopening.

A checklist to help them ensure they have complied with health, food and safety requirements.

Social distancing floor stickers (three per business) which have a unique Cotswold design.

Posters which businesses can display limiting the number of customers at any one time.

A poster with a map to signpost customers to the nearest public conveniences and hand washing facility.

Some district councillors and officers will be delivering them to high street businesses in town that receive walk in customers, which will include shops, cafes, estate agents etc.

It is likely that larger companies such as supermarkets will already have access to corporate products to support them so they will target support at smaller shops that do not have this help.

If you have not received a pack but would like one, email High.Streets@cotswold.gov.uk.

GREAT News! Tetbury Hospital is now registered with Amazon Smile (Amazon’s fundraising opportunity).

Lian Franklin said: ‘’Please support us when you shop with Amazon. Just go to Amazon Smile, select Tetbury Hospital Trust as your charity, and every time you shop, Amazon donates 0.5 percent of the net purchase price (excluding VAT, returns and shipping fees) of eligible purchases.’’

Just remember two things - Go to Amazon Smile to shop not just Amazon and pass this on to your family and friends and everyone who knows you!

All you have to do is follow this link and Tetbury Hospital is already selected for you amzn.to/3h7KsHf.

IT is time for a huge thank you.

On Monday, The Priory closed it’s doors until it formally re-opens when the government lifts the restrictions on the hospitality industry.

The reason for the closure is because they are entering a critical stage in their refurbishment that would not be conducive to operate alongside a food hygiene environment.

In addition to the works in the Priory, Stargazy will also be closing during this period.

However they are delighted to inform everyone that they will be installing a permanent ice cream/crepes/waffles parlour alongside the fish and chip shop.

I’ve been assured thankfully that this is just a brief goodbye whilst they finalise the remaining works and implement the Covid-19 safety requirements, to ensure the safety of all their customers and staff.

The management and team would like to say: ‘’We have been honoured to be able to support our community during these difficult times and as the government restrictions have been relaxed, allowing more business to open we feel that the local community needs will be met by all the other great local businesses of Tetbury. As always, thank you all for your tremendous support, stay safe, until we meet again.’’

The Herculean effort that this team put into ensuring the town maintained its house by not only catering for the town’s needs during this crisis and supplying food to many vulnerable people who could not get out, but also the inspiration that they gave customers and other businesses truly goes beyond words and a thank you would seem inadequate.

But it is all we have to say so thank you and we all look forward to your new and exciting opening.

THE Friends of Tetbury Hospital annual house to house collection, which usually takes place this month, has sadly been postponed.

The dedicated volunteers hope to be back delivering envelopes in September, and can’t wait to be back out in the community again!

However do keep an eye on their website for updates www.tetburyhospital.co.uk

WOULD you be willing to go the extra mile for Hope for Tomorrow? What about a 1000 miles?

Health and Hustle have joined forces with Hope for Tomorrow to launch an active scheme where you can pledge to walk, jog or run 1,000 miles over the course of 12 months to help keep the wheels turning on their Mobile Cancer Care Units.

The challenge starts on July 1, 2020, and you have until June 30, 2021, to cross the “Finish Line”, so why not join in and help raise much needed funds by registering now via hopefortomorrow.org.uk.

Hope for Tomorrow is a dedicated charity, which is based in Tetbury, and give much-needed support and service by bringing cancer care closer to patients’ homes via Mobile Cancer Care Units.

SASHA and the Whistle Stop Cafe team will be back open on weekends from July 4 for takeaways.