High Street in running for national accolade
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Turriff High Street has been shortlisted in the Government’s Great British High Street Awards.
After a rigorous selection process led by a panel of independent judges, the high street has been shortlisted for the Champion High Street category, which celebrates high streets which are taking the lead to adapt and diversify.
It comes after Turriff High Street was crowned Scotland's best last year.
The bid by Turriff Business Association follows research commissioned in April by Visa demonstrating the positive impact that the local high street has on communities.
The research found that seven out of ten consumers in Scotland (70 per cent) say that shopping locally makes them feel happy, with over a third (42 per cent) citing supporting local shops and knowing where their money is going as the main reason.
Spending time with friends and family (19 per cent) and offering a sense of community (21 per cent) were other reasons cited for why high streets make people feel happier.
The research also shows that nearly half of consumers (46 per cent) feel that visiting their high street gives them a sense of pride in their local community.
High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP said: “Congratulations to Turriff for being shortlisted for the Champion’s Award for this year’s Great British High Street Awards.
“There has been some really creative work in Turriff to host fundraising events for local community groups – and the May Day Extravaganza draws in thousands every year.
“People are happier when they can see their hard-earned cash support local businesses.
"That is why we are celebrating those that go above and beyond to keep their high streets thriving for generations to come.”
Turriff is one of the 12 high streets that has been shortlisted in the Champion High Street category, which recognises the UK’s best high streets.
Additionally, 28 high streets have been shortlisted in the Rising Star category, identifying high streets which are taking the lead to adapt and diversify.
All 40 high streets are now in the running to win a prize of up to £15,000 to be dedicated to a local high street initiative.
People 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 shortlisted high streets will then have the chance to impress an expert judging panel as they seek to be crowned the UK’s Champion or Rising Star.
The Great British High Street Awards 2019, which are being run by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, in partnership with Visa and backed by other partners, is recognising and celebrating local achievements on high streets and supporting the communities in which people live and work.
