Destination marketing organisation Visit Bath has vowed to try to stage some of its planned pre-Christmas programme once the city emerges from the second national lockdown in early December.
The rising tide of Covid-19 cases across the country – including in Bath, where it has now become higher than the national average for the first time – means the city is now locked down again until December 2 just as the traditional festive shopping period would have been getting underway.
The city’s hard-hit tourism and hotel sectors are also reeling from the prospect of being closed another four weeks at one of their busiest times of the year. Hotels will only be allowed to welcome people on traveling due to their work.
Having already cancelled the highly successful Christmas Market – which adds millions of pounds to city retailers’ coffers this time of year – Visit Bath last month joined forces with Bath & North East Somerset Council, Bath Business Improvement District (BID) and Bath Festivals to plan a wide range of Covid-safe events for residents and visitors.
With all shops except those selling essentials forced to close and pubs, cafes and restaurants only allowed to do takeaways. most of these have now fallen victim to the latest lockdown. This includes two Early Bird Christmas Shopping days – on November 12 and 19 – which would have had entertainment around the city centre and a range of promotions available to shoppers.
A cultural and festive programme was also to begin on the weekend of November 27 and run until December 20.
There had also been plans for some of Bath’s most iconic buildings to come to life with festive illuminations while the spirit of the Christmas Market would have been celebrated by 12 chalets around the city centre selling locally made gifts and treats.
A Visit Bath spokeswoman said some events may now take place “within the guidelines and when it is safe to do so”. She added: “Our programme of planned activity has been continually reviewed and adapted, based on changing advice including the possibility of further restrictions and the impact these may have.
“Discussions will continue with partners to understand what options we have and what can be delivered. Further details will be shared as soon as they are available, but the safety of residents, staff and visitors is paramount.”
Bath BID this afternoon stepped up to the challenge of helping businesses through lockdown with the launch of its new Welcome to Bath website.
The website was originally planned to be a what’s on guide, providing up-to-date information about large and small events and special offers across the city, but has been rapidly reconfigured to become a guide to local businesses that are continuing to trade during lockdown.
Essential businesses, including healthcare services and banks, food and drink businesses offering takeaways and grocery delivery services, and retailers that are continuing to trade online, are all included on the website.
The Roman Baths along with other tourist attractions closed yesterday. The Roman Baths, which are owned by Bath & North East Somerset Council, was one of the first major attractions in the country to reopen its doors to the public on July 6, with strict hygiene and physical distancing measures in place. All booking was carried out online and allowed for no more than 30% of the normal capacity.
Cabinet member for community services Paul Crossley said: “Although we are disappointed to be closing the Roman Baths once again, our number one priority is the safety of our residents, visitors and staff. We look forward to welcoming visitors back to the Roman Baths when it is safe to do so.”
Council leader Dine Romero said: “Although the government are proposing that schools, colleges and universities remain open, we know that any lockdown will hit our communities hard, including local businesses and in particular hospitality and shops deemed non-essential.
“The measures announced on Saturday will also impact on the council’s budget with loss of revenue from heritage and parking services.”
For the first time the rate of infection in Bath & North East Somerset has gone higher than the national average, with 234.77 cases per 100,000 recorded.
Businesses can find out about the extended furlough scheme and other economic support by visiting at bit.ly/economicsupport
Images courtesy of Visit Bath
