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North West towns nominated for Great British High Street

The North West’s towns and cities are being encouraged to get their applications in for the national Great British High Street competition before the deadline at the end of next week.

Several towns across the region have already submitted their entries, including Stalybridge in Greater Manchester, Barnoldswick, Oswaldtwistle and Great Harwood in Lancashire, and Cockermouth and Kirkby Lonsdale in Cumbria.

A total prize fund is available of £50,000 along with dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts.

Minister Penny Mordaunt today urged town and cities across Britain to submit their applications before the deadline on 30 August 2014.

The minister has written to all town teams and the local community to encourage them to take part in the competition, run by the Future High Street Forum, to find Britain’s best high streets.

There are seven separate categories: city centres, town centres, market towns, coastal communities, villages, parades and London. The minister said the national competition was a fantastic way to celebrate the nation’s greatest high streets and it was essential that all parts of the United Kingdom were represented.

The government is committed to high streets as part of it long-term economic plan. It is supporting local shops and businesses with a £1 billion package of investment that includes targeted business rate discounts, sensible planning changes and action that reins in over-zealous parking practices.

High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “This competition is about celebrating the work local people do to make their high streets great places to live, work and shop.

“Our high streets are bustling again and we want to find the hidden gems the country has to offer and share their tips for success”.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .