The national Great British High Street competition, launched by the Future High Street Forum, celebrates the achievements of local people in making their high streets great places to live, work and shop.
The winners were selected across a range of categories for their ability to innovate, collaborate and adapt to changing consumer habits.
Judges visited 21 shortlisted areas and the winners are:
- City – The Norwich Lanes
- Coastal – Colwyn Bay
- Market – Belper (chosen also as overall high street champion)
- Local centre – Barnoldswick
- Village – Broxburn
- Town centre – Wantage
- London – Kingston
People can show their support for their local high street on Twitter using #GBHighSt or by visiting thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: Britain’s high streets have a long and proud history - and a special place at the heart of many communities. This competition celebrates the excellent work that is reinvigorating many of our high streets and highlights ideas that other places can use. High streets are an important part of our long-term economic plan to help communities reach their full potential, create new opportunities and secure a brighter future for people across Britain. Congratulations to all the winners and thank you to everyone who entered the competition.
High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said: We were really impressed with how people have thrown down the gauntlet for the Great British High Street and shown what’s possible on the nation’s shopping streets. Communities, traders and businesses are absolutely fizzing with bright ideas and initiatives to make our high streets great places to work, shop and live. I want to extend my congratulations to all of them. It’s fantastic to see the team-work and energy that people are putting in to our high streets and this commitment to innovation and collaboration really shone through in all the finalists.
The winners will receive a share of prize money and support from a fund worth £50,000 as well as dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts, sponsored by Boots, Costa Coffee, BIRA, Post Office and Marks and Spencer. This could range from one to one coaching or advice on creating business plans, to workshops on digital marketing.
There were over 135 entries from across the UK – more than a third of local town teams – and they revealed new and inventive ways to boost high streets. These ideas will be shared with other areas. There was a fantastic response to the competition on social media with communities posting photos, tweeting and really celebrating their high streets.
