Cheshire East Council has launched the third phase of its Say 'hi' campaign, which will focus on supporting the night-time economy.

The campaign will have a strong presence on social media, a series of 11 films to support each of the council's 11 towns including Sandbach, a range of print ads and a broad spectrum of physical promotion of the borough's local restaurants, bars, night clubs, cinemas and theatres, all of which have been greatly impacted by restrictions as a result of the pandemic.

Supported by town and parish councils, the latest phase of the campaign is encouraging people to return to using night-time entertainment and hospitality venues in a Covid-safe manner.

Councillor Nick Mannion, chair of Cheshire East Council's economy and growth committee, said: "We respect that residents have a wide range of views on how they would be comfortable supporting our night-time economy and this phase of the campaign will help to allay any fears they might have about doing this.

"Covid is still with us and our message reflects this. We are encouraging people to support our hugely diverse local night-time economy but to do so responsibly. Our advice is simply to make sure that you're vaccinated before you head out. That way we can love life, stop Covid and look after each other by staying safe."

"Our night-time economy has suffered significantly as a result of the pandemic and I am very happy that the latest phase of the Say 'hi' campaign is aimed specifically at the very businesses that have had to remain closed for a large part of this last two years."

Cheshire East Council has already run two previous phases of this campaign. The first phase was in April last year, and focused on encouraging people to return to the high street shortly after the country had come out of stricter lock down measures.

The second phase was in the build-up to Christmas, when the council encouraged people to reduce transmission of the virus by shopping locally.

Funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Say 'hi' campaign is encouraging residents to support the local night-time economy this spring.