RORY URGES COMMUNITIES TO BACK THEIR LOCAL HIGH STREETS

Rory is encouraging communities to nominate their local high streets for the Great British High Street Awards 2018.

These awards, sponsored by Visa, celebrate local achievements on the nation’s high streets and will encourage communities to share suggestions to improve them in the face of new challenges. Community teams, councils and trading associations can register their local high streets by visiting thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk. This can also be done by contacting Rory or the local council. The shortlisted entries will be announced in October and these will then be submitted to a public vote. Finally, the remaining contenders will be visited by a judging panel comprised of industry leaders from across retail, property and business. Britain’s best high street will be announced in November, with the winner receiving £10,000 for a community project. So far, Kirkby Stephen High Street has been nominated and more are expected to follow.

Commenting on this, Rory said: “I am delighted to support this competition, which rightly celebrates the creativity of the many businesses which are so vital to preserving our high streets. I would like to encourage everyone to get involved in this important competition and I hope to see a great number of Penrith and The Border’s high streets nominated.”

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.”