Cheltenham Borough Council has introduced taxi compliance checks for the November Meeting in its November Meeting announcement. The meeting runs from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 November 2026. The council describes the meeting as bringing thousands of visitors and a boost for hospitality, retail and transport.
Checks and ranks
Racegoers and residents are advised to pre-book a private hire vehicle, or to take a taxi licensed by Cheltenham Borough Council from an authorised rank. Vehicles should show a roof sign and a Cheltenham licence plate. The council's position is that a zero-tolerance approach to unlawful taxi activity remains in place. Its licensing officers, supported by Tewkesbury Borough Council and Stroud District Council, will check vehicles for compliance and safety. Taxi marshals will be at the Promenade taxi ranks.
Friday and Saturday patrols
After feedback from local communities, the council and Gloucestershire Constabulary have added facilities and patrols on the Friday and Saturday, to address concerns about anti-social behaviour. Council and police officers will be a visible presence. The racecourse's Love Our Turf campaign is part of that plan, aimed at deterring undesirable behaviour and encouraging respectful and positive conduct.
Inspector Steve Benbow, of the Cheltenham neighbourhood policing team, said tackling male violence and intimidation against women and girls, and anti-social behaviour, remains a priority for his team. The team will keep working with partner agencies so people can have a safe and memorable time. Resources will be at and around the racecourse, with an enhanced community policing presence across the town. High visibility patrols will focus on identified hotspots, transport hubs, licensed premises and popular walking routes.
The announcement treats women's safety as a top priority. Licensed venues will operate the Ask for Angela/Clive schemes, offering discreet support to anyone feeling unsafe.
The rest of the plan
The council has also listed support from voluntary sector partners in the evening and night-time economy, temporary toilets across the town and on key routes to the racecourse, a police community hub on the High Street outside Marks and Spencer, and joint inspections by its licensing team and the police at licensed venues and licensed sexual entertainment venues.
Councillor Jamie Jamieson, cabinet member for safety and communities, said the extra patrols, facilities, support services and taxi compliance checks are practical steps, taken with partners, to help keep Cheltenham clean, safe and welcoming.