Mansfield shortlisted for Great British High Street award

Mansfield is to battle it out with other towns and villages in the Great British High Street Awards - which highlight new and innovative ways to boost high streets and ideas that will be shared with others.

It is shortlisted in the Market Town category and Mansfield BID (Business Improvement District) manager Sarah Nelson, who compiled the award’s submission, said it was deserved recognition.

She said: “This is fantastic news for Mansfield and highlights the fact that the town centre has so much going for it.

“There is variety, with a mix of independent shops and high street names. There is also the contrast between the heritage, the night life, and the introduction of pioneering free wifi for the town centre.

“Through teamwork and a co-ordinated effort, footfall is rising, crime is falling and there are fewer empty units. Mansfield can, quite rightly, shout about its successes.”

The news comes in the same week that Mansfield was awarded a prestigious Purple Flag for providing revellers with an entertaining, diverse, and safe night out.

The Government-led awards showcase hard working traders and communities around the country and what can be done to help shopping streets evolve to be places where people want to shop, socialise and work.

High Streets Minister Penny Mordaunt said: “There is a real sense of momentum behind our high streets and I’m determined that the hard work of people who have strived to make their high streets great places to work, shop and live is not only recognised but shared with others so they too can learn valuable tips for success.

“We have seen a lot of enthusiasm for this competition and I’ve heard first hand on my tour on high streets around the country how proud people are of their streets and the value they place on them as an essential part of their community.”

The contest is being run by the Future High Street Forum and received more than 135 entries from across the UK.

More than a third of town teams – local groups set up to support their high street – entered their street.

There are seven categories – coastal, market town, city, village, local parade, town centre and London.

The entries were whittled down to a shortlist of 21 and will now be visited by a member of the judging panel which consists of key players from the Forum.

A winner will then be selected for each category and announced in a month or so.

People can show their support for their local high street on twitter using #GBHighSt or by visiting www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk

The winners will win a share of £50,000 prize money and receive dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts.

This could range from one to one coaching to advice on creating business plans to workshops on digital marketing.