Town has one of best high streets in Britain
BELPER UP FOR TOP AWARD
BELPER has been shortlisted as having one of the best high streets in the country.
The Derbyshire town is one of 12 places to be nominated in this year’s Great British High Street awards.
Residents of the town and beyond can vote for Belper to win the Champion High Street category by voting online.
The Great British High Street Awards, run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), celebrates communities which are working to revive local high streets. Voting closes on October 7. The town, a former winner of the award, has been praised for its “vibrant” high street and how it promotes its many shops and businesses.
On The Great British High Street website, Belper’s entry reads: “Vibrant Belper Town is more than just a pretty face.”
It goes on to say: “The innovative Town Centre Partnership is focused on engaging community and supporting independent retailers via social media and their website.
“Using the hashtag #lovebelper to create a virtual showcase of the town and markets, and having developed a website as the go-to place for information on shopping eating, heritage, arts and events.
“Committed to sustainability, an increasing number of Belper eateries are sourcing ingredients and supplies locally.
“Lastly, but by no means least, Belper hosted its first Pride event in August, adding to the rich diversity of the town.”
Belper is up against the following towns: Hitchin, Grimsby, Turriff (Scotland), Prestwick (Scotland), Ross-shire (Scotland), Narberth (Wales), Swansea (Wales), Treorchy (Wales), Newtownards (Northern Ireland), Enniskillen (Northern Ireland) and Lisburn (Northern Ireland).
Market Street in Ashby-de-laZouch has also been voted in the Rising Star category.
■ What do you think of Belper? Should another Derbyshire town be in the frame? Email your thoughts to newsdesk@derbytelegraph.co.uk.