After hundreds of entries for this year’s Great British High Street Awards, 38 shortlisted high streets were selected, each of which were visited by the Great British High Street Judges and teams from sponsor, Visa Street. The public were also allowed to have their say during the short listing with an open vote.
The overall winner was named as Crickhowell in Wales, recognised for its ‘Totally Locally’ campaign, which brings together over 100 shops to promote each other and drive footfall. The rest of the winners are as follows:
England: Town Centre, Altrincham
Scotland: High Street, Alness
Wales: High Street, Crickhowell
Northern Ireland: Town Centre, Portadown
Rising Star Award Winners
England: Burnley Road, Todmorden
Scotland: High Street, Newport-on-Tay
Wales: High STreet, Cowbridge
Northern Ireland: Bow Street, Lisburn
England: Jane Crowther
Scotland: David Robertson
Wales: Emma Corfield Walters
Northern Ireland: Sarah Munn
Some comments on the winners: Scottish Champion, Alness was recognised for its commitment to accessibility for all and street cleaning volunteers. Welsh Champion, Crickhowell, “is proud of the fiercely independent nature of the shops on its high street and recently residents, visitors and retailers came together to buy and renovate a local pub to maintain this ethos”. Rising Star winner for England, Burnley Road in Todmorden, was recognised for its ‘Our Planet Tod’ campaign to improve the high street environment.
A big well done to all our amazing high streets, town centres and heroes!