BRIGG MADE LAST YEAR'S SHORTLIST: NOW NOMINATIONS NEEDED FOR 2016

BY CHRIS O'ROURKE, NORTH LINCOLNSHIRE COUNCIL

Nominations for the Great British High Street competition 2016 open on Thursday 7 July 2016. Nominate your local high street now and shine a light on your local community.
In last year’s competition, Brigg was shortlisted for Great British High Street under the village category.
Can North Lincolnshire secure another shortlisted high street this year?
The competition is even bigger this year: there are now 10 categories and the opportunity for four individuals to have their hard work recognised and be named ‘High Street Heroes’.
Anyone can nominate their local high street, simply by completing the application form on the Great British High Street website at www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk
Once the nominations are in, a shortlist will be announced in autumn. It is then up to the public to choose their winners and crown the best British high streets!
Coun Rob Waltham, from Brigg, Deputy Leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “Last year Brigg was shortlisted in the village category and, although we did not win the public vote, it was such a fantastic achievement for the town to be recognised on a national level and Brigg should feel very proud.
“We continue to support the high streets across all of North Lincolnshire’s towns and villages through various initiatives: we have extended our free parking, relocated the hospital park and ride and will soon be launching the village shop front grant scheme. If you want to give your local high street the recognition it deserves then submit your nomination through the Great British High Street website.”
The categories for this year’s Great British High Street competition are as follows: 
• Village – population between 500 and 2,500 residents 
• Local centre – precinct or parade of shops 
• Market towns (small) – population of less than 10,000 
• Market towns (large) – population of between 10,000 and 30,000 
• Town centre – population of more than 30,000 
• City location – population of more than 200,000 
• Coastal community 
• London 
• Rising Star – to recognise towns that are turning fortunes around 
• High Street Hero – best store manager or employee from a nation retailer or organisation 
• High Street Hero – best store manager or employee from an independent or small business 
• High Street Hero – best market manager, operator or trader 
• High Street Hero – best under 25 year old

You can get involved with the conversation on Twitter by using the hashtag #GBHighSt