High hopes for contest that is streets ahead

A NORTH Yorkshire market town was the centre of attention yesterday as judges from the Great British High Street Awards 2018 ran the rule over its shops and services.

Richmond is one of 26 places nationwide that have been shortlisted in the champion category of the awards, which are organised by Visa.

The competition’s judges are tomorrow due to visit Trinity Market and Hepworth’s Arcade in Hull, which have also been shortlisted in the champion category.

Speaking after the announcement of the shortlist last month, High Streets Minister Jake Berry said: “The awards celebrate the great work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets and the quality of entries this year has been outstanding.”

The winners of the competition’s champion and rising star categories are due to be revealed at a ceremony in London on November 15.

Yesterday’s visit to Richmond by the judges came as

Love Your High Street campaign continues to gather momentum.

The newspaper is encouraging all readers to make a conscious decision to shop locally and spend some time and money with the stores, small businesses and independent traders who ensure our communities remain vibrant places to live.

And we are also calling for more direct action, driving home the message to the Treasury and MPs that our outdated business rates need urgent reform to lessen the burden on independent traders.

According to research carried out by Visa, more than threequarters of Yorkshire shoppers would miss their high street if it was no longer there.

Just over half of the county’s retailers are said to be optimistic over the future of their local high street.