https://www.friendsofsteadburghas.org/event-details/the-world-that-inspired-tolkien

Residents will have received their polling card thru the post. Copies of the Documents are available at the Library, Information Centre, Town Council Office, and Cotswold DC offices -Cirencester, and also online at

www.cotswold.gov.uk/planning-and-building/planning-policy/neighbourhood-planning/neighbourhood-plans-in-development/

Voting will be held in the Town Hall.

Youth and Community Festival over 2 days 15th & 16th August

A weekend of free activities, workshops, performances, and community experiences for all ages.

Free Entry

visit camfest.org.uk for more info

A weekend of free activities, workshops, performances and community experiences for all ages.

This is a hugely positive step forward.

Our sincere thanks go not only to the Council but also to the 150+ residents and local businesses who wrote or emailed the Town Clerk, and to those who attended and spoke at the Town Council meeting.

That collective support was vital in demonstrating how much Chipping Campden values its VIC — not only for visitors, but for the wider community. It also confirms the petition conducted by our Ward Councillor Tom Stowe just two years ago which gained over 2,500 signatures in support of the VIC.

However, we are not quite over the line

The immediate challenge facing the VIC is meeting essential rent and service charges for January, February and March, totalling around £3,000. Whilst the Peelers Trust, the VIC’s landlord, has been very supportive in the past, it faces it's own financial challenges.

There is a potential option of additional funding from the Town Council through the Grant process although, as it stands, there is insufficient funding in the Grant Budget.

Equally importantly the existing Grant policy stipulates a number of conditions which might be challenging to fully satisfy - including a requirement for match funding from other sources. So further Council funding cannot be guaranteed.

To reduce the risk of falling at the final hurdle, the VIC is now appealing for short-term donations from residents and local businesses.

Donations can be made:

• Directly to the VIC

• Via a funding page on the VIC website at Campden Online (www.chippingcampdenonline.org/donate )

Why Supporting the VIC Matters?

The importance and value of the VIC were clearly set out at the Town Council meeting by Cllr Spink, who stood down as Chair and Director of CEE Ltd (under which the VIC operates) to avoid any possible perceived conflict of interest. Key points included:

• The VIC is a registered not-for-profit community enterprise - all its revenues go to supporting its services

• It promotes Chipping Campden and provides essential visitor information, supporting the Cotswold visitor economy, which underpins local jobs and business income.
  It also provides a range of community services and directly supports local organisations such as:

  • Rural Cinema

  • Cidermill Theatre

  • Open Gardens

  • The History Society

  • Campden Home Nursing

  • The Music and Literature Festivals

  • The Bulletin: Online copies

  • Local artists and craftspeople through a valued retail outlet

• Even with Council support, the VIC would continue to cover over 75% of its costs through commercial activity, donations and unpaid volunteer support

• The VIC offers excellent value for money

  • Nearly 20,000 in-person visits last year

  • Some 45,000 unique visitors to Campden Online - an integral part of the VIC operation

  • More than 330,000 online engagements - each engagement is potentially a specific enquiry about Chipping Campden: where to park, where to eat, where to stay, what to do ....

• No viable alternative exists that delivers the same services more effectively or more cost-efficiently

The Human Side

Finally, it is worth noting the extraordinary commitment shown by the VIC team:

• Of our three staff members, two have volunteered to work unpaid for January

• The third is working significantly reduced paid hours

• This is supported by the continued dedication of an excellent volunteer team

This level of commitment speaks volumes about how much the VIC matters to the people who run it. It would be a tragedy for that commitment not to be matched by the community it serves.

What Happens Next

The long-term future looks positive — but the next few weeks are critical. Any support, whether through a donation, sharing the funding page, or spreading the word, could make the difference between success and setback.

Thank you, once again, to everyone who has supported the VIC so far; together we can ensure the VIC can continue supporting our community.

Tim Sexton - Manager
Chipping Campden Visitor Information Centre

If you wish to support the future of the Chipping Campden VIC, please make your views known by emailing the Town Clerk:

clerk1@chippingcampden-tc.gov.uk

A funding proposal will be going to Council on Tuesday 13th January, and it’s essential that the value of the VIC, including Chipping Campden Online, is fully understood, both for our community and the local visitor economy.

This isn’t theoretical, the service makes a real difference to the town.

In 2025 alone:

• Over 20,000 people visited the VIC shop on the High Street in person for information and local services
• More than 40,000 unique visitors used Chipping Campden Online to learn about the town
• Together, that’s over 60,000 people served through our combined services
• Over 320,000 online engagements were recorded on our website
• 30,000 people discovered us purely through online search

If the VIC closes, all of this will be lost which will directly impact local businesses, reducing visitor footfall and weakening visibility around the world, for everything Chipping Campden has to offer.

We hope you agree that this is a service worth protecting.

If you wish to show your support for the VIC, then please email your thoughts to the Town Clerk before Tuesday 13th January:

clerk1@chippingcampden-tc.gov.uk

With your help, we can try and safeguard this vital visitor and community service for Chipping Campden and the local area.

It’s also worth recognising just how much everyday community support the TIC provides for local people, often quietly and behind the scenes.

Beyond helping visitors, the VIC supports residents with:

• Tickets and information for local events,

• Promotes local charities,

• Plays an important role in community activities such as Open Gardens and seasonal events, including the music festival, Dover's Games and Scuttlebrook.

• The VIC is often the first place people turn to for practical, trusted help: parking advice, transport timetables and travel queries,

• Lost and found items,

• Maps and guides,

• Local memorabilia,

• and up-to-date community information.

While some information can be found online, it is often inaccurate and you can’t beat the personal touch, the local knowledge, reassurance and human connection that only the VIC can provide.

It also offers a safe, welcoming place for anyone who may need support. All of this adds up to far more than a “tourist” service.

Thank you for your support.

While many UK high streets continue to struggle, with familiar chain stores disappearing at an alarming rate, a handful of places are quietly bucking the trend. One such place is the beautiful Cotswolds market town of Chipping Campden — a destination that not only boasts one of the country’s most impressive collections of independent shops, but also offers culture, history and seasonal charm in abundance.

Set in the rolling countryside of Gloucestershire, this historic town is famed for its long, characterful high street lined with honey-coloured limestone buildings, many dating back to the 14th and 17th centuries. Once a prosperous wool-trading centre, its medieval roots remain beautifully intact today.

Unlike some of its more famous neighbours — such as Bourton-on-the-Water — Chipping Campden has retained a genuine “working town” feel. Visitors regularly praise its relaxed atmosphere and lack of heavy crowds. One reviewer on Tripadvisor described it as having “a more local, lived-in feel,” where residents and visitors mix easily, creating a distinctive and welcoming vibe.

The high street itself is a joy to explore. Independent bookshops, florists, clothing boutiques, farm shops and cosy cafés sit side by side, alongside historic pubs such as The Red Lion and the much-loved Noel Arms. From second-hand books and collectables to locally grown flowers and artisan food, shoppers are spoilt for choice.

Beyond retail, there is plenty to discover. The town is home to fascinating museums and cultural spaces, including the celebrated Court Barn Museum, which tells the story of the local Arts and Crafts movement through an inspiring collection of silver, jewellery, furniture, pottery, printing and design.

And for those looking for the perfect time to visit, December offers something truly special. Chipping Campden’s annual Christmas market takes place on 6 December, transforming the town into a festive showcase of stalls, handmade crafts, gifts, cakes, food and seasonal treats. The Christmas tree lights will be switched on, and Father Christmas will be making a special appearance — the perfect ingredients for a memorable winter day out.

With its thriving independent high street, rich heritage, creative spirit and festive charm, this Cotswolds gem proves that great British market towns are very much alive and well.