The nation’s high streets are competing to be crowned the best in Britain – as shoppers believe the ‘perfect’ one should include a green grocer, butcher and pub.
Forty of the nation’s high streets will battle to win the title based on their shopping experience and community spirit.
The winning street will be awarded the coveted Great British High Street 2019 trophy and a £15,000 cash prize to put towards a local high street initiative.
To claim the crown, the eventual winner will demonstrate their local community, great customer experience, an environmental mindset and innovative approach to retail.
Shortlisted for the Champion High Street award in England are Hitchin Town Centre, Freeman Street in Grimsby and Belper Town.
In Scotland, Turriff High Street, Prestwick Main Street and Alness High Street are in the running.
The Welsh contenders are Narberth, Swansea and Treorchy high streets.
And in Northern Ireland Newtownards High Street, Enniskillen Town Centre, and Bow Street in Lisburn are competing for the top prize.
English high streets shortlisted in the Rising Star category are Wellington in Telford, Daventry Town Centre in Northamptonshire, Northwich Town Centre in Cheshire, Willesden Green in the London Borough of Brent, Sir Isaacs Walk and Eld Lane in Colchester, Rochdale Town Centre, Dalton Road in Barrow in Furness, Yarm High Street in Stockton-on-Tees, Tankerton High Street in Whitstable and Market Street in Ashby de la Zouch.
In Scotland Aberfoyle Main Street, Kempock Street in Gourock, Falkirk High Street, Lanark High Street, Cowdenbeath High Street, King Street in Castle Douglas and The Square in Kelso are in the running.
The Welsh contenders for the Rising Star award are Palace Street, Caernarfon, Carmarthen Town, Llanelli, Mold High Street in Flintshire, Triangle House in Welshpool, Pembroke High Street, and Caldicot Town Centre in Monmouthshire.
And in Northern Ireland the shortlisted high streets are Armagh City Centre, Newry High Street, Broughshane Street, Ballymena, and Carrickfergus High Street.
The nation’s high streets are competing to be crowned the best in Britain – with shoppers believing the ‘perfect’ one should include a green grocer, butcher and pub (pictured: Narberth High Street, Narberth)
Judges will also visit each destination on the shortlist, to get a feel for its personality and general ambiance.
A poll of 2,000 adults found shoppers would like to see a decent bakery, a good DIY shop, and independent clothes outlet in their favourite high street.
An energy provider, restaurant and barber were also considered as a must, along with a supermarket, shoe shop – and a even record store.
English high streets shortlisted in the Champion High Street Category are Hitchin Town Centre, Freeman Street in Grimsby and Belper in Derbyshire.
Forty of the nation’s high streets, including Newry High Street, Newry (pictured), are vying to be officially named the best in Britain – based on their shopping experience and community spirit
An energy provider, restaurant and barber were also considered as a must, along with a supermarket, shoe shop – and a even record store (pictured: Palace Street, Caernarfon)
In Scotland, Turriff and Alness High Street are in the running alongside Prestwick Main Street, while Wales has Narbeth, Treorchy and Swansea High Streets under consideration.
For Northern Irish shoppers, Newtownards High Street, Enniskillen Town Centre and Bow Street, Lisburn, are up for the prize.
The announcement follows research commissioned by Visa, in partnership with the Great British High Street demonstrating the positive impact the local high street has on communities.
Seven in 10 consumers say shopping locally makes them feel happier, compared to shopping online or at a shopping centre – the main reason being that they know where their money is going.
The winning street will be awarded the coveted Great British High Street 2019 trophy and a £15,000 cash prize to put towards a local high street initiative (pictured: Daventry Town Centre, Northamptonshire)
Half of consumers also feel their high street gives them a sense of pride in their local community.
Spending time with friends and family (22 per cent) and offering a sense of community (21 per cent) were other reasons cited for why high streets make people happier.
After a rigorous selection process, 12 high streets from the South East of England to the Scottish Highlands have been shortlisted in the Champion High Street category, which recognises the nation’s best high streets.
Additionally, 28 high streets have been shortlisted in the Rising Star category, identifying those which are taking the lead to adapt and diversify.
To claim the crown, the eventual winner will be required to demonstrate their commitment to their local community (pictured: Llanelli)
Judges will also visit each destination, including The Square, Kelso (pictured), on the shortlist, to get a feel for its personality and general ambiance
Sundeep Kaur, head of UK & Ireland merchant services at Visa, said: ‘We’ve seen some fantastic entries for this year’s Great British High Street Awards across both the Champion High Street and Rising Star categories.
‘In particular, the desire to innovate stands out among this year’s entries, with high streets adapting to the challenges presented by a rapidly changing retail environment to find ways to thrive at a local level.
‘As our research shows, high streets play a vital role at the heart of communities, so this is a great opportunity for those communities with shortlisted high streets to show their support by placing their votes on the Great British High Street website.’
Last year’s winner was Crickhowell High Street in Wales, located in a bustling rural town nestled in the Usk Valley on the edge of the Brecon Beacons
Seven in 10 consumers say shopping locally makes them feel happier, compared to shopping online (pictured: Aberfoyle Main Street, Aberfoyle)
It was commended for its community-led initiatives and strong network of independent businesses.
High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said: ‘Congratulations to the shortlisted nominees for this year’s Great British High Street Awards – the quality of the entries this year has been fantastic.
‘High streets make people happier, and people want to see their hard-earned cash supporting the local economy.
Half of consumers also feel their high street gives them a sense of pride in their local community (pictured: Bow Street, Lisburn)
Spending time with friends and family (22 per cent) and offering a sense of community (21 per cent) were other reasons cited for why high streets make people happier (pictured: Pembroke High Street, Pembroke)
‘That is why we are celebrating those that go above and beyond to keep their high streets thriving for generations to come.
‘Inspiring high streets like these will play a key role in the Government’s vision to boost local growth and level up our regions.’
Members of the public can vote for their favourite finalist at www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk, with the public vote accounting for 20 per cent of the final scoring.
The winners will be crowned at an Awards ceremony in November.