High streets in running for UK title
TWO N.WALES TOWNS ON SHORTLIST
TWO town centres are representing North Wales for a UK-wide retail award after being named as finalists.
This year’s Great British High Street Awards has announced which areas are among the best local communities across the UK.
The celebration, in partnership with Visa, has revealed that 40 high streets in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are in the running for two prestigious awards.
They will now compete for the Champion High Street Award, which has three Welsh entrants, and the Rising Star High Street Award, which includes two local nominees.
The ultimate winner will not only walk away with the Great British
High Street 2019 trophy, but also a cash prize of £15,000 to put towards a local high street initiative.
Shortlisted nominees for the Champion award include high streets in Narberth, Swansea and Treorchy – who compete against nine other UK entries.
A total of 28 entries are competing for the Rising Star award, which celebrates up-and-coming local communities who are on their way to transforming for the future.
Two North Wales entrants are included on the shortlist, with the public now able to vote for Palace Street in Caernarfon or Mold High Street to win the award.
They’re competing against the likes of Llanelli and Pembroke’s high streets as well as Northwick town centre in Cheshire.
High streets minister Jake Berry said: “Congratulations to the shortlisted nominees for this year’s Great British High Street Awards – the quality of the entries this year has been fantastic.
“High streets make people happier, and people want to see their hardearned cash supporting the local economy.”
He said that “inspiring high streets”, such as those nominated, will play a “key role” in the Government’s vision to boost “local growth and level up our regions”.
The shortlists for the Champion Award and Rising Star High Street Award were determined by an independent panel of judges. The judges will now visit the high streets to assess them against their original entry, with their opinion accounting for 80% of the overall score – and the public vote making up the remaining 20%.
Voting closes on October 7, with the winners announced in November at an awards ceremony in London. To vote for your favourite high street, visit https://thegreatbritish highstreet.co.uk/.