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High Streets Minister urges towns and cities to get their applications in for the Great British High Street competition. 

High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt today (25 August 2014) urged town and cities across Britain to get their applications in for the Great British High Street competition before it closes 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. Many town teams have already entered the 7 separate categories: city centres, town centres, market towns, coastal communities, villages, parades and London.

The minister said this 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 winners will win £50,000 of prize money and dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts. This could range from one to one coaching to advice on creating business plans to attending workshops on digital marketing.

The government is committed to high streets as part of it long-term economic plan. It is supporting local shops and businesses with a billion pound 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.

So if your area hasn’t entered already then get cracking and don’t miss the chance to be named the Great British High Street.

Further information

Details of how to enter the competition can be found atwww.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk. The deadline for entries is 30 August 2014.

Download and display a Great British High Street poster.

Recent research by the University of Southampton shows, high streets are proving themselves increasingly resilient and able to adapt and innovate for the modern shopper by embracing new technologies like click and collect.

Listen to a short audio of Penny Mordaunt talking on the Great British High Street competition.

Follow Penny Mordaunt’s high street and seaside tour across the country onstorify and tripline.