ALCESTER High Street has missed out on being short-listed for the ‘Great British High Street 2018’ but the community group who started the campaign say there’s still plenty to be proud about.
Sarah Bassett, chair of ‘Visit Alcester’, said: “We put Alcester forward after seeing the success it had in 2015 with winning a Rising Star award.
“Obviously we are disappointed but we are very proud of our town and we will brush ourselves off and give it another go in 2019.”
Earlier this year Visit Alcester approached local businesses to gauge interest in entering the competition and most people thought it was a good idea.
The group, with the help of the community, ran a fine campaign on social media but it was not meant to be as the High Street fell short of reaching the 38 shortlisted high streets from England, Scotland and Wales.
“The support we had was phenomenal and the campaign itself has already done a great job of increasing people’s awareness of Alcester.
“We have a real sense of community here, with a wide range of independent shops and we are digitally up to date.
“In 12 months time I can see this town being even better than it is now.”
Author and TV presenter Simon Reeve who is a judge for the Great British High Street Awards 2018, paid tribute to every town and city which entered.
He said: “I’ve spent the last couple of months visiting independent high street retailers across the UK and I’ve been blown away by the passion and commitment shown by shopkeepers across Britain.”
The winning entries for both the Champion and Rising Star categories will be announced on November 15 at an awards ceremony in London.
Meanwhile Visit Alcester will now focus its efforts on launching a new website – www.visitalcester.com – which will go live at the end of next week.
