Mid and East Antrim encourages high street heroes to take on UK counterparts in high street awards

Mid and East Antrim traders, business leaders and community champions have an opportunity to showcase their talent, entrepreneurship and innovation, at a UK level, by taking part in the 2019 High Street Awards.

These awards offer applicants the chance to win up to £15,000 to spend on their community, plus on-the-ground support and events from the campaign street teams.

Mayor of Mid and East Antrim, Maureen Morrow said: “These awards celebrate local achievements on our high streets and help support the communities in which we live and work. They aim to celebrate those individual businesses and people who play a leading role in making our high streets so special.

“The Borough has so much to offer in terms of heritage, location and retail with Larne named as one of the UK’s top towns in last year’s prestigious High Street Awards bringing with it a great buzz to the town.

“Our reputation across Northern Ireland is one of a retail centre of excellence, accommodating a wide range of independent businesses, co-existing alongside well-known high street giants. The work of the Council and our partners is instrumental to safeguarding and growing our unbeatable attractions and enhancing Mid and East Antrim’s reputation as a great place to do business.”

Applications are welcome from local authorities, BIDs and other community groups throughout Northern Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales - across two categories: Champion High Street and Rising Star High Street.

Mayor, Maureen Morrow, continued: “The High Street Awards are an exciting opportunity for councils, businesses, community groups and volunteers to learn from the leading examples of the ways in which high streets are succeeding in overcoming the challenges of a rapidly changing environment. Therefore, I would encourage all our local groups and business partners to get involved in this competition and showcase our brilliant borough to the rest of the UK.”

Jeni Mundy, Regional Managing Director UK & Ireland, Visa, added: “We’re delighted to partner with the Great British High Street Awards for a second year, particularly as our research shows that there is plenty to celebrate on our high streets, and we’re very encouraged to see independent shops playing such an important role in this.

“Through our involvement with the Awards, we’ve witnessed the huge strides that high streets are making in transforming themselves, with many adapting to changing consumer demands for new goods and services whilst maintaining their status as a hub for local communities. Today’s consumers expect a great deal from their shopping experiences, and it is those high streets demonstrating adaptability, resilience and creativity that are setting themselves up for success.”

The Champion High Street category will recognise the best high streets, while the Rising Star High Street category will recognise the most ambitious high streets which are taking the lead and working together to revive, adapt and diversify. The awards will also celebrate those individual businesses and people who are playing a leading role in making our high streets special.

To enter your high street, you will need to be a representative of a:

Business Improvement District

Local Authority

Parish Council

Town Team

Coastal Community Team

Town Centre Partnership

Community Interest Company

Chambers of Commerce

Trading Association

To find out more, visit: www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk

Entries close at midnight on 4 July 2019.