TOWN CENTRE STREET NAMED BEST IN WALES AND WINS £15K CASH PRIZE
A NORTH Wales street has picked up a major prize at the Great British High Street Awards 2019.
The picture postcard street has become increasingly popular with independent businesses and shoppers over recent years.
The UK-wide award ceremony, which was in partnership with Visa, saw high streets in Wales, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland compete for various titles.
Palace Street in Caernarfon and Mold High Street were competing for The Rising Star Award, which celebrates up and coming communities which are transforming for the future.
Palace Street was shortlisted to be the best in the UK and won in the Wales category. It also claimed a £15,000 cash prize.
Treorchy in the South Wales Valleys won the main prize by being named the Best High Street in the UK.
Gavin Owen, the manager of Caernarfon’s Business Improvement District – Hwb Caernarfon was “thrilled” to see the Gwynedd town’s street make it to the top. In a Facebook post, Mr Owen said: “Congratulations to everyone on Palace Street!
“Let’s go one better next year!” Last year, the street became the talk of the town when 170 colourful umbrellas appeared above the street in May.
The impressive art installation featured multicoloured brollies against the backdrop of the castle, and was installed by community volunteers and Hwb Caernarfon.
But the road has proven to be more than just its art display, with residents, visitors and tourists alike gathering to wander Caernarfon’s most picturesque street, which is only a stone’s throw away from the town’s landmarks.
In a previous interview, florist shop owner Meiriona Diamond described the street as “fantastic”. “Everyone on this street has been so supportive, friendly and welcoming,” she told our sister paper, the Daily Post. “We are like a family here, but our businesses offer something very different to one and other. All the shops are unique, local and independent, and I think that’s what people love about this street: it offers something different.”