Preparations underway for Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham Borough Council say additional measures are in place for the 2025 festival.
Cheltenham Borough Council are putting their final preparations in place for Cheltenham Festival which begins in under a week’s time.
The council have been working with agencies across the town and county to make sure everyone in attendance is kept safe throughout the festivities.
Thousands of people are set to visit the town over festival week and the council say they have put additional measures in place to help tackle anti-social behaviour.
One of the key preparations include ensuring staff in licenced venues across Cheltenham are trained in the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme to help support women if they are feeling unsafe or vulnerable.
Councillor Victoria Atherstone, cabinet member for safety and communities said “Women’s safety remains a top priority, and our officers have completed bystander training from Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre”.
The Council are also putting measures in place to tackle illegal taxi activity and say they are taking a zero-tolerance approach and will seek to prosecute any unsafe or unlicensed taxis trying their luck during the festival.
Racegoers are advised to only use pre-booked private hire vehicles or taxis licensed by the council waiting at authorised taxi ranks; if they are hailing in the street, to only use taxis licenced by Cheltenham Borough Council.
Councill Atherstone said ““I would also like to say a huge thank you to council staff and all our partners who work so hard in the lead up to and during race week to ensure residents and visitors to Cheltenham have a safe and enjoyable time.”