A contest to crown the best British high street opens today. And the winners will be offered a share of the £50,000 cash prize pot, mentoring and help from digital marketing experts.
London Road, Brighton, was shortlisted last year in the Local Parade category. It entered the contest having already won funding as a “Portas Pilot” – part of a project aimed at reviving the traditional high street.
Government minister Penny Mordaunt said: “There is so much amazing innovation happening on our high streets. We want to reward the great work that is being done to improve these crucial assets as well as showcase ideas which can be a springboard for others to try.
“The first competition last year was a tremendous success and I want this year to be even better.”
The competition is designed to help revitalise high streets by promoting the great work that is being done and sharing good ideas across the country.
Last year’s winner was Belper in Derbyshire. Joanne Bamford, of the Belper Town Team, said: “Winning the Great British High Street has been a wonderful boost to the town, stimulating interest and encouraging new partners to work with us.
“Local residents are more aware of how special their town is and the publicity has encouraged visitors from neighbouring areas to make a trip to see what the town has to offer.
“On the back of the competition we have received inquiries from new retailers considering expanding into the town, prospective residents looking to relocate and looking for a town with a real identity to coach companies planning to visit the area.
“The award has provided us with a wonderful platform to promote our town and the innovative projects delivered by the partners. It has also generated a number of new ideas which we hope to implement to allow the town to continue to improve and build on the success.
“We would really encourage villages, town and high streets to get involved in the 2015 competition.”
Details can be found at www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk. The deadline for entries is Friday 17 July.
