Great British High Street Awards – shortlist announced
The names of the towns, cities and streets that will battle it out to be called the best location for shoppers in the UK have been revealed. The competition is being run by the Future High Streets Forum and highlights innovative methods of boosting the high street.
On the awards, High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “There is a real sense of momentum behind our high streets and I am determined that the hard work of people who have strived to make their high streets great places to work, shop and live is not only recognised, but shared with others so they too can learn valuable tips for success.”
Has your high street been recognised? Scroll to find out where has been nominated for each of the categories.
City category
Norwich – Norwich Lanes
With over 300 independent boutiques, cafes, bars and food outlets, the lanes are a series of medieval style streets and spaces in Norwich. The launch of Droplet, a mobile payment service allowing shoppers to purchase anything using their smartphone, has proved to be an innovative and popular boost for traders.
Bristol – Park Street
Park Street in Bristol has been praised for creating a buzzing atmosphere amongst its important cultural and architectural features. The highlight of the areas innovation is the use of its notoriously steep hill as a waterslide. This masterstroke became an online sensation and thanks to the work of the street’s traders there has been a reduction in retail vacancy.
Glasgow – Style Mile
Glasgow’s Style Mile has been lauded as a strong blend of major and independent retailers, whilst also setting out a defined vision for the future. Thanks to the work gone into improving the city’s retail scene, it was awarded the prestigious ‘Flourish Award’ for building a prosperous city.
It’s not just the cities that are represented in these awards, with six categories highlighting the work of high streets large and small across the country. Here are the nominations for the remaining categories:
Coastal category
Blyth – Nominated for its unique approach to attracting shoppers by building a community rowing boat.
Folkestone – Praised for work done to clean up the high street and make the experience more pleasant for shoppers.
Colwyn Bay – A regeneration project has seen footfall increase by 30% since 2012, with 52 new shops opening and 22 businesses expanding
Local parade category
Brighton – The London Road area of Brighton has been nominated for the work done to rejuvenate an area notorious for high levels of crime.
Barnoldswick – Efforts to increase footfall and reduce vacancies include the introduction of free music performances and volunteer run events, as well as investment in local dining experiences.
York – 90% of the shops on Bishopthorpe Road are independent and there are no empty premises
Market town category
Mansfield – The Mansfield Town Team, a group working to benefit the town, crowd funded for free Wi-Fi in the town centre and have helped increase footfall and reduce crime.
Belper – The traditional market town has undergone an initiative of training local staff and increasing the number of events on offer.
Bishops Waltham – Business confidence is at an all time high, with 78% of traders enjoying an increase in turnover, while 89% believe the economic prosperity of the high street has improved in recent times
Village category
Meltham – Meltham Carlile Community Interest Group has used Community Rights to purchase and regenerate an old Victorian building at the centre of the village.
Broxburn and Uphall – The creation of a Business Gateway Shop aimed to bring together a range of services for the local community and is now seen as an outstanding example of flexibility and collaboration.
East Shilton – A group in the village have increased the number of events, while investment has also gone into the parks and green spaces.
Town centre category
Worcester – Earlier this year efforts to promote the town centre were made, despite flooding, limiting the reduction in footfall.
Falkirk – A fully pedestrianised high street has regenerated Falkirk into one of Scotland’s leading town centres.
Wantage – Vacancy rates have been reduced from 26 units to only 4 premises.
London category
Wood Street – Exterior improvements, together with social engagement, has revitalised the area.
Wembley Triangle – Extensive efforts have been made to bring the failing high street back to life.
Kingston – A pop up and click and collect element has been added and the landscape was redeveloped.
You can read more about the competition here.
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