Tunbridge Wells Borough Council (TWBC) has compiled separate documents for the different sectors re-opening on 29 March and 12 April 2021 which are on the Council website. Links are below:
Whilst RTWTogether are co-ordinating a Welcome Back campaign for central Royal Tunbridge Wells, we have organised another for 4 of our rural towns with ERDF funding as part of the Re-opening High Streets Safely project. We hope this will lead to further local campaigns as part of its legacy.
Former BBC South East presenter, Rob Smith, will be filming in each of the high streets to showcase the different characters of each, with his videos being shared across social media to coincide with the spotlight weekends.
“I can’t wait to be able to get out and enjoy visiting some real places again! Buying things online is convenient - but actually meeting up with friends, having a coffee, rummaging around and finding an unexpected gift or a bargain – it’s all so much more meaningful in real life than just viewed through a computer screen. We need to support out local shops, and restaurants and cafes, because they are what gives a place its unique flavour, and makes it memorable and meaningful,” he said.
‘Say Hi to your High Street’ will also be promoted through PR campaigns, social media, advertising, local loyalty cards and local influencers.
The campaign is being co-ordinated by Tunbridge Wells marketing and PR agency, Sharp Minds Communications. Siobhan Stirling, Director, commented: “This is a fantastic injection of resources for these high streets in the borough. But it’s important to remember that this is a short-term campaign, and our local traders need long-term support to recover from the pandemic and to enable them to compete with the internet. We’re hoping we can encourage local residents and visitors to be confident about saying Hi to their high streets now – and in the future.”
You can do your bit by sharing the posts and articles you see on online too and using the hashtags:
#SayHiToYourHighStreet
#SayHiPaddockWood
#SayHiSouthborough
#SayHiCranbrook
#SayHiHawkhurst
#shoplocal
#lovelocal
