Decision details

The Action plan for delivery of the Reopening the High Street Safely  (RHSS) Fund as agreed with by the Cities and Local Growth Unit includes an action to put in place a Digital Recovery Plan for High Street Businesses.  This requires the commissioning of a consultant to put in place a digital platform and training that will help CBC and Cheltenham BID to support businesses to leverage digital channels as they learn to trade alongside COVID-19. 

The objective of this outcome is to Increase the capacity of businesses to engage on social media and present their businesses both during lockdown and in the re-opening of the High Street post December 2020. Developing the knowledge and skills, particularly for small businesses which do not have the support structures of national businesses. A digital platform will enable businesses to track their social engagement against local, regional and UK wide businesses.

Due to the budget allocated 3 quotes were sought. 

Maybe solutions offered something innovative that fitted the outcomes of the brief. Other companies approached were not able to deliver in the timescale.  It is important that we act at pace with the delivery of the RHSS fund to support businesses at a very challenging time.

To undertake a longer open procurement.  This was rejected due to need to deliver at pace.

Engagement with consultancies SimpleView & Social Trinity to help support understanding of the brief.  Both consultancies concluded they were not in a position to deliver within the timescale.

Clear from engagement that the brief was covering a bespoke outcome and may be challenging to attract bids.

Emphasis by Cheltenham BID to deliver outcome as quickly as possible to support businesses as they emerge from lockdown 2.

Engagement with Cheltenham BID.

Marketing Cheltenham liaised with external partners, other authorities/destinations and researched and contacted recognised suppliers