{"id":72060,"date":"2016-07-07T08:00:10","date_gmt":"2016-07-07T08:00:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?guid=e4b4facb1f967b9bb19aaa6d4af75fc2"},"modified":"2016-07-07T08:00:10","modified_gmt":"2016-07-07T08:00:10","slug":"press-release-launch-of-great-british-high-street-competition-2016","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/?p=72060","title":{"rendered":"Press release: Launch of Great British High Street competition 2016"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"govspeak\">\n<div class=\"call-to-action\">\n<ul>\n<li>last year\u2019s competition had 230 entries and over 200,000 public votes<\/li>\n<li>this year\u2019s competition will be \u201cbigger and better\u201d<\/li>\n<li>investment in the high street is up by 30% and the national vacancy rate has fallen to its lowest level since January 2009<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>High Streets Minister Marcus Jones today (7 July 2016) called on communities across the country to enter their villages, towns and cities into the Great British High Street competition 2016.<\/p>\n<p>Now in its 3rd year, the competition celebrates the great work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation\u2019s high streets and is an opportunity for councils, businesses, community groups and volunteers to learn from the very best.<\/p>\n<p>Last year\u2019s competition saw a record-breaking 230 entries and attracted over 200,000 public votes, with Bishy Road in York, a former finalist, crowned Britain\u2019s best.<\/p>\n<p>With new categories, new prizes, including the chance to win up to \u00a3 10,000 each, the minister said he expected to see even more competition entries, this year.<\/p>\n<p>The government is helping local business communities adapt to the changing face of high streets, with a \u00a36.7 billion package of business rates support, to cut the rates for 900,000 businesses \u2013 with 600,000 now paying none at all.<\/p>\n<p>Investment in the high street is up by 30%, the national vacancy rate has fallen to its lowest level since January 2009 and retail sales have increased year-on-year for the longest period on record.<\/p>\n<p>Speaking on a launch visit to Camden High Street, Marcus Jones said:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>With a record number of entries and 200,000 public votes cast, last year\u2019s competition was a massive success.<\/p>\n<p>This year\u2019s Great British High Street competition is going to be even bigger and better, with new categories and a simplified entry form.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">I\u2019d urge everyone to get involved to showcase the hard work of your community, in keeping high streets the life and soul of our towns, villages and cities.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>As well as the cash prize, winners will also receive dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts which could range from one to one coaching to advice on digital marketing.<\/p>\n<p>Internet giant, Google\u2019s expert training taskforce will also provide category winners with training on how to make the most of their digital skills.<\/p>\n<p>Brigid Simmonds, Chief Executive of the British Beer &amp; Pub Association and Chairman of the High Streets Partnership Working Group<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>This is a hugely exciting time for our high streets. We have seen some really excellent examples where great leadership, collaboration and partnership have led to regeneration, more footfall and as a result, more sustainable high streets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"last-child\">The 2016 Great British High Street competition is supported by great brands and companies who between them represent over 22,000 outlets. Just look at what has already been achieved, and encourage your local high street to enter this year.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div class=\"call-to-action\">\n<p>The 9 competition categories for places are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Best City Centre High Street<\/li>\n<li>Best Town Centre High Street<\/li>\n<li>Best Market Town High Street (small)<\/li>\n<li>Best Market Town High Street (large)<\/li>\n<li>Best Coastal Community High Street<\/li>\n<li>Best Village High Street<\/li>\n<li>Best Local Centre &#8211; precinct or parade of shops<\/li>\n<li>Best London High Street<\/li>\n<li>Rising Star &#8211; to recognise towns who are turning fortunes around<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"call-to-action\">\n<p>The 4 competition categories for individuals are:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Best Store Manager or Employee from a National Retailer \/ Organisation<\/li>\n<li>Best Store Manager or Employee from an Independent \/ Small Business<\/li>\n<li>Best Market Manager, Operator, Farmer  or Trader<\/li>\n<li>Best under 25 year old, manager or employee from a high street business<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p>Nominations are now open across England, Wales and Scotland. The top 3 shortlisted in each category will be announced in October. They will then go through to a public online vote and be visited by the Future High Streets Forum judging panel made up of industry leaders from across retail, property and business.<\/p>\n<div class=\"call-to-action\">\n<p>Details of how to enter the competition can be found at: <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk\">www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The deadline for entries is Friday, 9 September 2016.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<h2 id=\"further-information\">Further information<\/h2>\n<p>The Great British High Street competition is run by the Department for Communities and Local Government and sponsored by Boots, the British Council of Shopping Centres, Ellandi, Holland and Barratt, Marks and Spencer, the Post Office and Wilko.<\/p>\n<p>The Google Digital Garage is a workshop which includes sessions for businesses on finding and keeping customers online and the chance to have one-to-one consultations with Google specialists to chat through their businesses digital needs.<\/p>\n<p>We have published a <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk\/good-practice-guide\">good practice guide<\/a>, that includes practical advice and guidance from last year\u2019s winners, sharing tips and real life examples of how high streets across the country have risen to the challenges of a rapidly changing environment.<\/p>\n<p>For more information or to enter your high street visit the <a rel=\"external\" href=\"http:\/\/www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk\">Great British High Street website<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Last year\u2019s winners were:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>City Category \u2013 St Giles Street, Northampton<\/li>\n<li>Coastal Category \u2013 Amble, Northumberland<\/li>\n<li>Market Town \u2013 Helmsley, Yorkshire<\/li>\n<li>Local Centre \u2013 Bishopthorpe Road, Yorkshire (also chosen as overall high street champion)<\/li>\n<li>Village Category \u2013 West Kilbride, Scotland<\/li>\n<li>Town Centre \u2013 Rotherham, Yorkshire<\/li>\n<li>London \u2013 Pitshanger Lane, Ealing<\/li>\n<li>Best Newcomer \u2013 Faulkner Street, Hoole<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"contact postal-address\" id=\"contact_40\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<h3>Office address and general enquiries<\/h3>\n<div class=\"vcard contact-inner\">\n<p class=\"adr\">\n<span class=\"street-address\">2 Marsham Street<br \/>\n<br \/>\nLondon<\/span><br \/>\n<span class=\"postal-code\">SW1P 4DF<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<div class=\"email-url-number\">\n<p class=\"contact_form_url\">\n              <span class=\"type\">Contact form<\/span><br \/>\n              <a href=\"http:\/\/forms.communities.gov.uk\/\">http:\/\/forms.communiti&#8230;<\/a>\n            <\/p>\n<p class=\"tel\">\n              <span class=\"type\">General enquiries:  please use this number if you are a member of the public<\/span><br \/>\n              030 3444 0000\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"contact \" id=\"contact_171\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<h3>Media enquiries<\/h3>\n<div class=\"vcard contact-inner\">\n<div class=\"email-url-number\">\n<p class=\"email\">\n              <span class=\"type\">Email<\/span><br \/>\n              <a class=\"email\" href=\"mailto:press.office@communities.gsi.gov.uk\">press.office@communities.gsi.gov.uk<\/a>\n            <\/p>\n<p class=\"tel\">\n              <span class=\"type\">Please use this number if you&#8217;re a journalist wishing to speak to Press Office<\/span><br \/>\n              030 3444 1201\n            <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>High Streets Minister calls on communities across the country to enter the Great British High Street competition 2016.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72060"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=72060"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/72060\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=72060"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=72060"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mostafa.openonline.co.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=72060"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}