TheRetailer_Summer_19

Last year more than 200 high streets across the UK battled it to be crowned the UK’s best. Altrincham High Street, which was crowned England’s Champion high street last year, was a particularly notable entry after receiving a major investment in the town centre. This saw a revival of its transport interchange, a new health and wellbeing centre opening and a restoration the town’s Grade II-listed market house. The prize money won from the Great British High Street Awards 2018 was spent on the town’s first High Street Festival, which thanked everyone for the incredible hard work that went into Altrincham’s win and for their support with the pilot project for the National High Street Perfect Day, a Government-backed scheme to help high streets look and perform at their best. It’s another example of how, by entering the awards, a high street can re-engage its local community, giving them new reasons to visit, connect and spend on their high street. Whilst it’s evident that today’s consumers are expecting a great deal from their shopping experiences, it is those high streets demonstrating adaptability, resilience and creativity that are setting themselves up for success. That’s why we’re urging communities across the UK to come together, identify what success looks like for their high street, and ultimately create an environment where sharing best practice benefits communities up and down the country. For more information about the Great British High Street Awards 2019, terms and conditions, and how you can get involved, visit: thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.

SUNDEEP KAUR //kaurs@visa.com //visahighstreet@grayling.com

the retailer | summer 2019 | 35