Search begins for UK’s best high streets

A national competition is being launched today (June 18) by High Streets minister Brandon Lewis, the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced.

It comes as new research shows that the country’s high streets are rising to the challenge set by consumers who want increased convenience and flexibility, the department says.

The search is being run by the Future High Street Forum and the Association of Town Centre Managers.

There are six categories:

- City Centre

- Town Centre

- Market Town

- Coastal Community

- Village

- Parade of Shops

The DCLG says the Government’s long-term economic plan has supported local high streets with a billion pound package of investment.

Many high streets affected by the economy in 2008 are now thriving as a result of making changes to serve their communities in increasingly popular ways, it says.

Mr Lewis said he believes these efforts should be recognised.

He said: “Whether it is a market town, coastal village or city centre, there are so many high streets across Britain doing fantastic work and now every community will be able to get behind their home town’s bid to show how popular they are.

“This competition will discover where the Great British high streets are and celebrate their brilliance.

“I want the public to tell my panel of experts why their area should win. The most popular will get all the accolades that come with being named the best in Britain when we announce the winners in autumn.”

Further details can be found at www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.