Voters in Cheltenham will be able to have a pint before or after they cast their ballot as one of the town’s polling stations will be at a pub. The Umbrella, which calls itself an “old school boozer in the heart of the town” will be the location of one of the dozens of polling stations in the Borough.
Cheltenham Borough Council approved a review of its polling stations at their full meeting on December 16. Councillor David Willingham (LD, St Peters) asked about the use of the Orchard Way pub as a polling station.
“Is it in the building or a portacabin in the car park? Have we done any equality impact assessment on that because there might well be people who, for cultural or religious reasons, cannot or should not go into a pub. That would suggest to me this might not be an appropriate location for a polling station.”
However officers explained the polling station will be at the pub’s function room. Deputy chief executive Paul Jones said it was the first time the Borough Council had used a public house.
“They are well utilised across the country. This will be a first for us and obviously we will do a review after the next election.
“It’s not actually in the pub itself. It’s in the function room at the back,” he said. “A full impact assessment has been done to ensure those with disabilities, etc will be able to get that access.
“While I’m sure the publican would very much welcome any electors to stop by for a pint, there will not be any obligation to do so.”
Cheltenham Borough Council meeting on December 16, 2024
(Image: Carmelo Garcia)
The council voted unanimously. to approve the recommendations of their review of polling districts and places. Speaking after the meeting, landlady Georgia Hill, who runs the pub with her partner Greg Watkins, said they were delighted with the news.
They took over the running of The Umbrella in February this year and have made it a community focussed pub “It’s good for the pub and the community,” she said. “It will also bring new people to the pub.
“It will be a chance for people who have never been to come and give it a go. Everyone’s enjoying it being a community pub again which is what we need as we haven’t got many left.”