- The Great British High Street Awards are back and very soon high streets across the United Kingdom will be battling it out to find Britain's best.
- They will all be trying to emulate the success of reigning high street champion, Crickhowell, commended for its community-led initiatives, including the Corn Exchange project which transformed a former pub into shops for independent traders.
- There was a huge response to last year's competition - over 200 entries - highlighting how retailers and community groups across the country are working in innovative ways to keep city, town and village centres' vibrant and strong.
Speaking ahead of the competition launch in High Street Crickhowell, High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said:
The government awards celebrate the dedicated shop keepers, the committed volunteers and forward-thinking councils who together are creating vibrant and dynamic high streets that are loved by their communities.
Last year more than 200 high streets across the land battled it out in a hotly-contested competition to be crowned Britain's best.
I would encourage communities across the nation to enter, so their high streets and the people working in them gain the recognition they fully deserve.
The Great British High Street Awards 2019, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government in partnership with Visa and backed by other supporters, recognises and celebrates local achievements on the UK's high streets and supports the communities in which we live and work.
The campaign includes a competition to find the UK's best and most improved high streets within two categories:
- the Champion Award to celebrate the UK's best high streets
- the Rising Star Award for those taking the lead and working to adapt and diversify
For each, a winner will be named in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, as well as there being an overall UK winner.
Nominations for the awards can be made by local authorities, Business Improvement Districts and - for the first time - groups of high street retailers, from today. Shortlisted entries will be announced in August 2019.
In addition, individuals will also be recognised through the High Street Hero Award which will identify those who, through their innovation, energy, time or enthusiasm, stand out as leading lights on their high streets and in their local communities.
