It's feeling fantastically festive today as Stratford's Christmas Lights are on and the Christmas Brochure is hitting the streets.
Get inspiration on buying gifts locally and see the What's On listing between now and Christmas - yes there are things on!
Click on the arrow below to turn the pages of the brochure.
#lovestratforduponavon #ShopinStratford #eatdrinkshoplocal
What's happening in Union Street, Guild Street and Warwick Road?
Yes this is an action shot of James at local family independent Vin Neuf!
See some info here with great places open for you either in person or many are online.
Wine? 👍🏻 Dry cleaning? 👍🏻 Sell your house? 👍🏻 Mend your car 👍🏻
Have you supported any online or in person, yet? They are grateful when you do.
Union Street
* Cazbar - Closed
* Dogs Trust Shop - closed www.dogstrust.org.uk for all enquiries charityshops@dogstrust.org.uk
* Hamptons Estate Agents - Open for appointment only Mon to Fri 9am -6pm. Saturday 9am to 4pm phone 01789 200900 for Sales 01789 292394 for Lettings.
* Harmony Health and Beauty Clinic 01789 263695 harmonybeautyclinic.co.uk closed but do call for enquiries
* Matthew Curtis Hair Design www.matthewcurtis.biz Closed
* Room 09 room-project.com Closed
* Shakespaw Cat Cafe shakespawcatcafe.com book online for when we re-open.
* The Tanning Shop www.exposuretanning.co.uk Closed
* TSB Bank open 01789 293823 - Open Mon/Tues/Thurs/Fri 9.30am – 12.30pm 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Wed 10am – 12.30pm 1.30pm – 4.30pm. Saturday/Sunday Closed.
* Vaughan Reynolds Estate Agent www.vaughanreynolds.co.uk 01789 292659 - Appointment only Mon – Fri 9am – 5.30pm Saturday 9.30am – 1pm.
* Vin Neuf Wine Merchant www.vinneuf.co.uk 01789 261747- Open Tues - Sat 9:30am until 4pm
Warwick Road
* Murphy Salisbury Chartered Accountants www.murphysalisbury.com Office closed to visitors. Call 01789 299076
* Red Lion Pub www.tabletable.co.uk 01789 266858 - Closed
* The Villare Hotel www.thevillarehotelsua.co.uk 01789269213 – Closed
Guild Street
* Fountain Cleaners www.fountaincleaners.co.uk 01789 204693 Open Mon - Fri 10am until 4pm, Sat 10am until 2pm
* Kwik Fit open 01789 415855 Mon – Fri 8.30am to 6pm, Saturday 8.30 until 5pm, Sunday 10am until 4pm
* The Corner House www.cornerhousestratford.co.uk 01789 296574 Closed.
* The One Elm www.oneelmstratford.co.uk 01789 404919 Closed
A free training programme open to all Warwickshire retailers to help you reach and connect with current and new customers through online and social media tools. Covid-19 has shown that now customers are online more than ever before and it's imperative for you to learn how to embrace digital to grow your business. Training open to all bricks and mortar retailers and hospitality businesses in Warwickshire.
Independent retailers in Warwickshire are being urged to use ‘Lockdown 2’ to grow their online presence and make themselves more visible on social media.
The latest rules mean all leisure, hospitality and non-essential retail outlets have been forced to close until December 2, although restaurants and cafes can still offer takeaways.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce is encouraging independents across the region to attend an online workshop to find out how they can use social media and other digital tools to drive traffic to their website.
The workshop, on November 18, is being delivered by the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce and Stories Marketing, on behalf of Warwickshire County Council through the Warwickshire Towns Network Programme.
Keely Hancox, of the Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We saw during the first lockdown how many businesses started to enhance their digital presence and it helped them through that extremely difficult period.
“This is not about replacing a physical shop with online sales – in many cases it’s about building a presence and an online following. That could be to drive sales during lockdown but it could, equally, be ensuring you are in people’s thoughts when they head out shopping once the lockdown is lifted.
“Through the workshop, independent businesses will get some handy tips in how to do that and also the opportunity to tap into further help.
“Generally, we’d encourage all businesses to get in touch with the Chamber at this time to see what support is available. If they are newly established, and have been trading less than 12 months, they may be eligible for some of our start-up help.
“Aside from that, it may just be speaking to the team to ensure they are tapping into all of the Covid-19 support available to them and supporting them through this extremely challenging period.”
The workshop is being offered as part of a £5million package of support from Warwickshire County Council to boost the immediate economic recovery of the county.
For more details or to book a place, visit bit.ly/Warwickshire-Digital-Retail-Skills-Training
Bridge Street Stratford Upon Avon is open for business!
Open - please just come on in
Take away - just pop in and pick up what you'd like to keep you going!
Closed but please order on line.
Closed for lockdown.
Bell Court update! 😄 ❤️
Yes you can still enjoy take away coffees and treats from Mor Bakery and Bardia's, pizza from Ask Italian and burgers from Burger Priest if you order online. Also, keep on shopping but just move online with Gemini, Pop up Clothing, Sister Sister, Balou, Magic Alley and more.
They are maintaining Bell Court beautifully as ever.
See the full update below.
Takeaway
· MOR Bakery – takeaway from serving hatch
· Bardia’s – takeaway from serving hatch
· Burger Priest – takeaway with Just Eat between 4-10pm, or call & collect 11am to 10pm. 7 days per week.
· Nando’s – takeaway & delivery via nandos.co.uk or Deliveroo
· Ask Italian – delivery & takeaway Monday to Friday 4-9pm Saturday midday to 9 Sunday midday to 8pm. Order via askitalia.co.uk
· Kung Fu Oriental – delivery & takeaway from midday to 10pm via Just Eat or Deliveroo.
Open
· Specsavers – remains open 7 days per week
· Eurochange – remains open for now
Order Online for delivery or collection
· Balou – online & collect
· Gemini Woman – online
· Lush – online & collect
· Magic Alley – online & collect
· Pop Up Clothing Co – delivery
· Seasalt Cornwall – online
· Sister Sister Collective – online & collect
· White Light Gallery – online & collect
· Victoria Lou Bridal – online & collect
Closed for Lockdown
· All Bar One
· Bad Apple Hair
· Black Sheep Barbers
· Everyman Cinema
· Miller & Carter
· The Brow Studio
· The Naildressers
· Veeno
Bell Court toilets are closed during lockdown.
Message from Bell Court:
‘Bell Court stands for the community of Stratford-Upon-Avon and thus we will continue to do our best to deliver the same great options so many enjoy here at Bell Court.
With a number of industries impacted by these new measures, we encourage you to support your local retailer where possible. Together we will all get through this and we look forward to welcoming you all back in full force again.’
THINGS GET SPOOKY IN STRATFORD!
The spooktacular array of half term Halloween celebrations taking place in Stratford this October is sure to give everyone a frightfully good time.
With many families forgoing the usual trick or treat activities, thrill-seekers will be looking for other ways to get a Halloween hit, and the town’s businesses, including Magic Alley, Tudor World, The Butterfly Farm, Everyman Cinema, Hoorays and even The Guild Chapel have delivered.
Magic Alley is running a series of spooky events, kicking off with The Haunting - a month-long invite for adventurers to enter the Enchanted Manor and complete a Halloween quest by torchlight. And for the really brave, there’s The Haunting After Dark events on 30 and 31 October. The shop will also play host to Experience the Magic After Dark on 24 and 28 October, where magical entertainers Jester Styles and Sylvia Sceptre will intrigue and delight as guests are taken on a journey into the depths of tarot cards, voodoo dolls and witchcraft.
Throughout half term, entry to the terrifying Tudor World will include a Halloween Trail and a gruesome prize for children. Visitors can even find out their future with Zoltair the Mystic. The fear factor turns up a notch during the museum’s spine-tingling evening activities, where visitors can join a live ghost tour of this eerie building or take part in a real Victorian séance. Even Jack the Ripper makes an appearance when the autumn of 1888 is recreated at special events dedicated to his victims.
There are enough creepy crawlies and pumpkins to keep the whole family entertained at Stratford Butterfly Farm this half term. Visitors can discover scary spiders, predatory beetles, a desert hairy scorpion and the latest inhabitants in Minibeast Metropolis – three Dying Poison Arrow Frogs which are among the most toxic animals in the world. Children are invited to join the Butterfly Farm team by dressing up as their favourite Halloween character on 30 and 31 October!
The Guild Chapel is reopening its doors on 20, 27 and 28 October for some Halloween ghoulishness. Death and the afterlife are central to the Guild Chapel’s fascinating medieval past and visitors are invited to spot the demons within the chapel paintings and find out about The Dance of Death. Visit www.guildchapel.org.uk/visiting for booking details.
Everyman Cinema is showing a host of hair-raising films over the Halloween weekend, including family favourites Frankenweenie, Hocus Pocus and The Adams Family, and the latest in the Halloween franchise for the grown-ups.
And for those looking for as a tasty treat, a creepily decorated Hooray’s British gelato kitchen is currently offering 12 spooky new flavours, including Spider Web, Frankenstein and Witches Potion. Kids also have the chance to win a prize in their Halloween colouring competition.
Here’s a full list of the Spooktacular activities:
The Haunting Halloween quest, Magic Alley, throughout October from 11.15 pm. Suitable for ages 6+. Tickets cost £8 and can be prebooked at www.magicalleystratford.com. Use of strobe lighting.
The Haunting After Dark, Magic Alley, 30 and 31 October from 6.30 pm. Suitable for ages 13+ but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Group tickets only from £40 which can be prebooked at www.magicalleystratford.com. Use of strobe lighting.
Experience the Magic After Dark event with Jester Styles and Sylvia Sceptre, Magic Alley, 24 and 28 October. Suitable for ages 13+ but under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets cost £15 and can be prebooked at www.magicalleystratford.com
Halloween Trail, Tudor World Museum, 17 October to 1 November from 10:30 am to 5 pm. Suitable for children. Museum entry costs £6.75 adults, £5.75 concs, £3.50 children, £17.50 family (2A+2C).
Zoltair the Mystic fortune teller, Tudor World, 24 and 31 October from 10.30 to 5 pm. Suitable for children. Tickets cost £3 and can be purchased on the door or at www.tudorworld.com.
Jack the Ripper evening, Tudor World, 30 October and 6 November from 7.30 pm to 10.30 pm, Adults only. Tickets cost £22.50 which can be prebooked at www.tudorworld.com
Victorian Seance, Tudor World, Friday 23 October from 8 pm to 10 pm for £20, and Saturday 31 October from 10.30 pm to 00.30 pm for £25. Adults only. Tickets can be prebooked at www.tudorworld.com. Victorian dress encouraged.
Virtual Ghost Tours, Tudor World, every night from 6 pm. Suitable for ages 14+. Tours take place every 10 minutes. Tickets cost £6.75 and are available from www.tudorworld.com.
Special Halloween Night Terror ghost tour, Tudor World, 31 October. Tickets cost £8.50 and are available from www.tudorworld.com.
Halloween fun, Stratford Butterfly Farm, 24 October to 1 November from 10 am to 5 pm. Creepy Crawlies on display. Suitable for all ages. Entry to the farm costs £6.25 for children and £7.25 for adults and should be prebooked at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk.
Halloween fancy dress with hidden messages from the grave, Stratford Butterfly Farm, 30 and 31 October from 10 am to 5 pm. All ages encouraged to dress up. Entry to the farm costs £6.25 for children and £7.25 for adults and can be prebooked at www.butterflyfarm.co.uk.
Reopening of spooky Guild Chapel, 20, 27 and 28 October from 11 am – 2 pm. Suitable for children. Entrance is free. Visitors will be allocated a 15-minute time slot on arrival. Check visiting details before arrival at www.guildchapel.org.uk/visiting. Best
Halloween fun at Hoorays, throughout October from 10 am to 6 pm. For more information visit www.hooraysgelato.com.
Spooky films at Everyman Cinema Stratford, 29 October to 1 November throughout the day. To book tickets, visit www.everymancinema.com/stratford-upon-avon
Sam Jenkins, Events Manager of Magic Alley said “Halloween is one of our favourite times of the year and this year we have something magical and spooktacular for everyone! All our events are timed entry and socially distanced to help you enjoy the spooky season even in these strange times”
Jane Kendrick, Marketing Manager at Stratford Butterfly Farm said “As Halloween approaches and the veil between the world thins, we’re welcoming people to experience this spooky time in style by visiting our scary insects, which are safely behind glass. We do hope our younger visitors will dress up to celebrate Halloween - the spookier the better! Adults are welcome to dress up too.”
Tor Wilkes, Marketing and Events Manager of Stratforward BID which also organises Stratford FEASTS said: “Many Stratford’s businesses are embracing this time of year and organising special events to attract people into town and give locals and visitors things to smile about.
“Halloween half term fun comes straight off the back of Stratford FEASTS – a celebration of Stratford’s fantastic food and drink scene. These are strange times and activities like these helps bring a little light relief.”
There are lots of other fun activities in Stratford over half term at venues such as the Shakespeare’s Birthplace, the MAD Museum and Escape Live and through Stratford Town Walks. Opening times vary so it’s best to book in advance.
For more information about what’s happening in Stratford this Halloween, visit www.stratfordhalloweenfestival.co.uk or www.stratforward.co.uk.
Notes
Stratforward is Stratford’s Business Improvement District (BID) which represents 420 shops, cafes, pubs, restaurants and businesses in Stratford town centre.
For news and information about the town’s events, visit stratforward.co.uk or @Stratforward on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram
For further information contact: Karen Welsh on 07969 992416 or karenpwelsh@gmail.com or Tor Wilkes at tor@stratforward.co.uk 07766 494435
So Stratford’s event calendar isn’t quite as full as usual, and going to the tip seems to feature in ‘things to do in Stratford’?! However, we are fortunate that there is a celebration of Stratford’s fantastic food and drink scene running until October 22nd. Many tempting offers are being run to keep us eating out to help out! Check out www.stratfordfeasts.co.uk for a list of what’s on.
Some appetising free competitions are running with delicious prizes. On Facebook as before, but as popularly demanded, they are now running on Instagram and Twitter too – and each with different prizes.
How’s FEASTS going?
The Arden’s outstanding offer of sumptuous afternoon tea for two guests for a mere £25, reduced from £22.95 per person, is going down a treat.… Sai Nathan Chef Operations Manager “ we are pleased so many bookings are coming in through Feasts, we’ve seen great publicity in the Herald and on line. Even previous members of staff are booking!
New offers are coming in from local independents including …
Events
- Mor Bakery ran their very first evening feast night where a three-course Middle Eastern feast was devoured. (Wednesday 8th October. ) Delicious sounding dishes included the carrot, dill & halloumi fritters with baba ganoush & tzatziki dips and then the harissa spiced lamb.
- Halloween at Hoorays starts on 16th October and they have launched warming savoury waffles.
- If a Rioja warms your cockles then our best wine merchant, Vin Neuf, has some specials for you. FEASTS kicked off with their virtual wine tasting on Friday via Instagram live. Their friendly shop is crammed with Riojas and they are offering 10% off and if you buy 6 bottles, you get a jut bag and bottle opener for free!
Now is a great time to discover new places to eat in Stratford. We are getting used to wearing masks in restaurants and pubs and FEASTS is a great reason to try somewhere new. Experiment and find your new best eats and haunts! Stratford is increasingly known as the place to eat out.
Free for members to be included for product placement and then discounted advertising too.
It's the best place to get some gifts inspiration, find out what's happening in town and where to eat and drink.
As part of Stratford Autumn FEASTS, restaurants, cafes and hotels will be cooking up something special from 2 to 22 October, offering plenty to whet the appetite after a difficult six months for all.
Running every Spring and Autumn, Stratford FEASTS aims to highlight the delicious food the town has to offer by promoting set menus, feasting events, and special offers at a whole host of local eateries. Offers are listed here, but keep coming back as more are being added all the time! Also competitions will run on social media during FEASTS.
Enjoy a real treat at The Arden Hotel which is offering a sumptuous afternoon tea, usually costing £22.95 each, at the jaw dropping price of £25 for two (valid Monday to Friday from 2pm to 4pm. Book in advance and quote FEASTS please.)
Manager Josefine Blomqvist said: “We are delighted to be able offer our afternoon tea at an exceptional value, exclusively for FEASTS. It's wonderful to be back serving the finest quality food again and we are excited to welcome local guests back to our restaurant.”
Family run café The Food of Love on Henley Street is taking part in FEASTS for the first time this year and will be offering a special two course set menu and drink for under £10, as well as some flavoursome competition prizes.
Owner Gavriely Gavriel said: “We’re really looking forward to taking part. It’s a great initiative that will hopefully help to bring more people through our doors to enjoy our delicious homemade Mediterranean food.”
Venues signed up to take part so far follow:
• Bensons on Henley Street – homemade scone with Cornish clotted cream and jam with a pot of loose-leaf tea for £5.00 (available all day every day); a slice of homemade cake with a tea or coffee £5.00 (available all day every day); sandwich + chips + drink, including wine, beer or soft drink for £10.00 (available from 12pm every day)
• Cafe Rouge on Sheep Street - 30% off the main menu and even the set menus!
• Caffé Vineria on Wood Street– free drink at lunchtime with any pizza, including soft drink, half a pint or small wine
• Carluccio’s on Waterside – two course set menu for £12.95 and three course set menu for £14.95
• Crowne Plaza on Bridgeway – three course set menu for £23 with pre-booking and quoting reference ‘Feasts’ (available from 6pm to 10pm daily)
• Diana’s Tea Room at the Stratford Antiques Centre on Ely Street – Tuesdays: Seniors’ Day 20% discount; Wednesdays: BOGOF Cream Teas; Thursdays: £1.00 off sandwiches, toasties & melts; Fridays: BOGOF beverages; Saturdays: £1.00 off slice of bake and beverage
• Esquires Coffee at The Arden Quarter by the train station – Elevenses: hot drink for just £1 with every slice of cake or pastry; lunchtime meal deal: freshly prepared sandwich and hot drink for just £4.99
• Food of Love on Henley Street – two course set menu including drink for just £9.95! Fresh mediterranean food.
• The Fourteas on Sheep Street - afternoon Tea for £12.00 per person, usual price £18.50; afternoon tea with prosecco for £17.00, usual price £23.50. Book in advance and quote FEASTS - valid Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays.)
• Giggling Squid on High Street– Free glass of prosecco per person with any lunch set menu or main meal when quoting reference ‘Feasts’ (maximum of 4 guests)
• Hoorays on High Street- October 7th: 2-4-1 savoury waffles (new menu item!); October 14th: ½ price milkshakes; October 21st: Crazy Crepe day. 50% off crepes: Halloween starts on the 16th October, the shop will be decorated do try the 12 spooky flavours… if you dare!
• Honey Blue at Shrieves Walk off Sheep Street - 25% off all drinks when quoting reference ‘Stratford Feasts’
• Loxleys on Sheep Street - Early diners two course set price menu for £16.95 and three course set price menu for £20.95 (12noon to 6.30pm)
• Mor Bakery at Bell Court – Special feast event on Wednesday 7 October!
• Sorrento on Ely Street– Two course set menu for £19.90 (Tuesday to Saturday 11.30am to 1.15pm and 5pm to 6.30pm)
• The Arden Hotel on Waterside– afternoon tea for £25 for two people, usual price £22.95 each (Monday to Friday 2pm to 4pm). Book in advance and quote FEASTS.
• Vin Neuf on Union Street– virtual wine tasting event on Friday 16, showcasing the Bodegas Ontañón which is a 5th generation family-owned and run winery in Rioja Baja. Special prices on all Riojas throughout October including Bodegas Ontanon Rioja Reserva 2010 reduced to only £12.95, usual price £15.95
• Zizzi on Sheep Street– free glass of prosecco for anyone mentioning feasts and a two course set lunch for £9.75 (offer available Monday to Friday from 11.30am to 7pm
And if that wasn’t enough food for thought, there’s also a chance to win some tasty competition prizes, including an indulgent overnight stay for two at the fabulous Crowne Plaza Hotel including breakfast and car parking, stay in one of their executive double bedrooms overlooking the River Avon and town centre, take time to relax in the indoor heated pool and then start your day the right way with a full buffet breakfast served in the Riverside Restaurant.
Sales Manager, Clare Galvin said: “We’re delighted to be taking part in FEASTS. It’s such a great initiative that will help to bring more people into our glorious Riverside Terrace Bar and Restaurant to enjoy our delicious food and sample our wonderful hospitality.”
Other prizes include:
• Champagne Afternoon Tea for Two Gift Voucher at Bensons
• Two free cinema tickets and a pair of Spielburgers and fries at Everyman Cinema
• £30 voucher at Giggling Squid
• Meal for two to the value to £60 including drinks at Zizzi
• Cream tea for two at Diana’s Tea Room at the Antiques Arcade
• 10 x tickets for coffee for two at Honey Blue
• 2 x full English breakfast, 2 x sweet crepes, 2 x luxury salads of your choice at The Food of Love
Tor Wilkes, Marketing and Events Manager of Stratforward BID which organises Stratford FEASTS said: “Following the success of ‘Eat Out to Help Out’, Stratford FEASTS is another excellent reason to eat out and support local businesses. It is the perfect excuse to escape the house, relax and celebrate Stratford’s fantastic food and drink scene.
“To get the word out we will be promoting FEASTS in print, on social media and digitally – come and enjoy! More offers will be added throughout FEASTS so please follow us on Facebook and Instagram and check out our website for a complete list of what’s on offer.”
Any questions? Email us on events@stratforward.co.uk
