Cumbria’s Conservative Group Leader, councillor James Airey, is encouraging communities across the county to nominate their best local High Streets in the upcoming Great British High Street Awards 2018.
The awards, sponsored by Visa, celebrate local achievements on our high streets and are designed to encourage communities to share top tips to make their high streets a success, shining a light on great examples of how high streets can meet new challenges.
Community teams, councils and trading associations can register their local high streets by visiting www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk
Members of the local community can also register their high street by getting in touch with their local council before nominations close on 22 August
The 26 shortlisted entries in the Champion High Street category and 12 Rising Stars will be announced in October. They will then go through to a public vote and be visited by a judging panel made up of industry leaders from across retail, property and business.
Britain’s best high street will be announced in November, with the winner receiving a £10,000 cash prize for a local community project.
The Conservatives are committed to helping local business communities and have introduced over £9 billion worth of business rate support, so that many small businesses now pay no rates and helping shops and restaurants across the country to do what they do best.
Commenting on the awards, Cllr James Airey, the Conservative group leader on Cumbria County Council said: “The high street is at the centre of many of our communities in Cumbria, and this competition will celebrate the creativity of the many businesses which are so vital to preserving our high streets.
“We have fantastic towns and villages across Cumbria, which attract thousands of visitors every year.
“I would urge everyone to get involved in this important competition and encourage our communities to enter their high streets for the Great British High Street Awards 2018.”
Secretary of State for Communities, James Brokenshire MP said: “The Great British High Street Awards acknowledge how vital high streets are to our nation. They are crucial in creating jobs, nurturing small businesses and driving local and regional economies.
“As a government, we are committed to ensuring high streets continue to thrive and I’m delighted to support this brilliant competition.”