Mark Whitehead 10 November 2014

Minister names High Street competition winners

Seven shopping centres across the UK have been named as winners in the national Great British High Street competition.

Judges said there was a 'fantastic response' to the competition on social media with communities posting photos, tweeting and celebrating their high streets entries.

They said the 135 entries – more than a third of local town teams - revealed new and inventive ways to boost high streets. The winners will receive a share of prize money and support worth £50,000.

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.'

The winners in seven categories are:

• City – The Norwich Lanes
• Coastal – Colwyn Bay
• Market – Belper (pictured above and also overall high street champion)
• Local centre – Barnoldswick
• Village – Broxburn
• Town centre – Wantage
• London – Kingston

A recent report by Southampton University found that far from struggling, innovations like click-and-collect are starting to bring life back to high streets. It said people were now doing more top-up grocery shopping and visiting town centres for many reasons as well as shopping.

The Government has said it is committed to supporting high streets as part of its long-term economic plan.

This includes providing local shops and businesses with a billion pound package of targeted business rate discounts, planning changes and restrictions on what the government calls 'over-zealous' parking practices.

Photo: ©Graham Hogg and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Highly Specialist Clinical Psychologist

Oxfordshire County Council
£62215 - £72293
How about joining The Clinical Team at Oxfordshire County Council in our new Community Family Clinic initiative? Oxford
Recuriter: Oxfordshire County Council

Traffic Management Officer - WMF2114e

Westmorland and Furness Council
£37,035 - £37,938
Are you an experienced and motivated professional looking to take the next step in your traffic management career? Cumbria / Various
Recuriter: Westmorland and Furness Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£16,415.00 - £16,675.23 Grade 4, 24.5 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Peripatetic Support Assistant

Wakefield Council
£14,070.00 - £14,293.05 Grade 4, 21 hours, Permanent
Are you caring, compassionate, and friendly? Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Recuriter: Wakefield Council

Recruitment Support Officer

Durham County Council
£25,584 to £27,711 p.a. (Grade 5) pay award pending
We are looking for a Recruitment Support Officer to join our team on a temporary basis until 31 March 2026. In this role, you will provide a comprehe Spennymoor
Recuriter: Durham County Council
Linkedin Banner