Podsmead-based cleaning company Into Cleaning have offered free window cleaning to Gloucester city centre business to help them prepare for reopening after Covid.
Simon Payne said: ‘I have offered free window cleaning to our Gloucester city centre small businesses in preparation for them opening after covid 19.’
‘Over the last few days I have been speaking on Radio Gloucestershire about how we can help the small businesses of Gloucester’.
If you run a small business and would like to speak about this offer, please contact Into Cleaning or email simon@intocleaning.co.uk.
There has been some fly-tipping, littering and graffiti in the area off Cole Avenue.
The walk from Cole Avenue to New Dawn and Stroud Road takes you along the railway line and is surprisingly quiet considering it is next to a busy main road.
This might be why people feel they can fly-tip without being noticed. There is a lot of littering and fly-tipping under the bridge, as well as some graffiti.
I have reported all these matters to the council and urged them to get them cleared. I have also begun sounding out community groups and the council about making improvements to the area and keeping it tidy.
I have already had positive offers, and have approached the Crypt School, whose boundary is right along this pathway. I’ve also asked the council about planting more trees and hedges here to develop and encourage biodiversity.
The county council has committed extra funding to protect children from going hungry during the school holidays as a result of the COVID lockdown; eligible families who haven’t registered should visit the apply for free school meals page. Gloucestershire families in receipt of free school meals will be able to claim vouchers for both weeks of the holidays.
This is in addition to the Department for Education Holiday Activity Support already in place for the first week on the holidays. Families will still be entitled to this support, which includes meal packs and activities, but the council will now provide two weeks additional vouchers as well.
Families who previously registered their details for holiday Free School Meals vouchers will automatically receive them this time.
Those who have registered for the Holiday Activity Fund scheme will still receive their home food kits and access to activities for the first week of the holidays, as planned.
Eligible families will need to be registered by 5pm Monday, 29th March in order for vouchers to be processed in time for the end of term. Vouchers will be sent via email.
If you cannot access information online or have any questions relating to the scheme, call 01452 426165 (during office hours, 9am-5pm) or alternatively e-mail childrensfund@gloucestershire.gov.uk.
If you have a Post Office Card Account (POca) for your state pension, benefit or tax credit payments, an important change is coming in November 2021.
A POca is a special type of account you can only get from the Post Office for automated government payments. It is different from other Post Office accounts which will still be in existence.
From November the POca accounts will be closed and you will need to use a different means to have your money paid in.
You will still be able to get your payments but you will need to use a different account to withdraw your money.
The DWP will be writing to all affected in the coming months, but if you are worried and want to learn more now, you can find advice here.
And this guide from the Post Office gives advice on switching to alternative accounts.
The important thing is not to worry – there is plenty of time to act. But if you need help for any reason, I am always happy to assist. Please contact me for help.
You might also have neighbours, friends or family who can assist you if you are having difficulty with anything.
Cityfibre are currently laying down fibre cable in the streets of Gloucester, often using the existing utility trenches.
When the work is complete, you should be able to get connected to faster broadband via your existing provider.
I am in regular contact with Cityfibre, so if you have any questions or issues you can either contact me, or use the website to raise anything.
Inevitably there will be some disruption during these works. I have dealt with a couple of issues recently, and Cityfibre have been very swift to get back to me.
This is a good news story for Gloucester, as we all know how much we value a fast internet connection, especially since the pandemic.
Gloucester City Council has announced its events programme for a busy summer and autumn filled with events and festivals as the city comes out of lockdown.
As the government has now issued the roadmap to ease restrictions around social distancing the city council has been busy finalising the event programme for Gloucester.
Summer this year sees the return of the Gloucester Goes Retro Festival and a new exciting festival which will see the comedian John Bishop and McFly perform in Gloucester Park.
And this winter the city will be illuminated by a range of artists for Bright Nights. All events are subject to current government guidelines. Safety is always the main priority for all events.
The Museum of Gloucester run by Gloucester City Council has developed a new Museum Development Plan to future-proof the museum over the next five years.
It sees the museum deliver fundamental improvements in areas such as events, education and engagement to ensure it can be the quality museum that a historic city like Gloucester deserves.
The Development Plan also gives consideration to the wider national, regional and local context, including the recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Recent work into the museum’s audience has helped shape the strategy which focuses on increasing the number of visitors and helping them make the most of their visit.
It sets out a number of aims including connecting people through shared experiences such as social or educational activities and working with the community to stage more events, exhibitions and educational sessions.
As well as ensuring the museum is sustainable the plan commits to addressing social and environmental challenges such as Black Lives Matter, social deprivation and climate change.
There are four key priority areas:
Collections – preserving and interpreting the museum’s collections to best engage with the public
Public Programming – curating an engaging and stimulating programme to educate and entertain
Audiences – making sure the museum is an accessible organisation that works with the community
Sustainability – making sure the museum is sustainable and creates commercial opportunities
Gloucester City Council is urging non-essential businesses including retail mandated to close, hospitality, accommodation, gym, leisure centres, hairdressers and nail salons severely financially impacted by Covid during the current lockdown to find out if they are eligible for government support.
The city council has been distributing grants to businesses who qualify under a range of grants that are be made available by government to meet the evolving situation.
Businesses which receive a business rates bill and had to close during the November and January lockdowns or hospitality businesses, hotels, bed and breakfasts, those in leisure and events or the direct supply chain for these businesses who remained open but with reduced trading during the November and January lockdowns, who have not yet submitted a grant application for that period, are encouraged to do so. The application window for the November and January lockdown grants will close on 3st March 2021.
The re-opening of non-essential businesses is currently planned for 12th April as part of the government’s roadmap out of lockdown.
The government recently announced new ‘restart grants’ will be available to help with the re-opening of local businesses. Business owners will be able to apply for these new ‘restart grants’ from next month.
For more information about the grants that are available, visit the Council’s website.
