After Rhys, Newtownards earns another medal
By Sarah Curran
NEWTOWNARDS has once again made a mark at the High Street Hero Awards, taking home a collection of glittering awards.
The shopping town was recently awarded silver at this year’s High Street Hero Awards, losing out to stiff competition from Ballymoney in the High Street of the Year Category.
Also taking home silverware this year were Warden Bros in the Best Homeware Retailer category, Northern Card Gaming in the Best Generalist Retailer category and Eurospar Hardford Link in the Best Forecourt category.
Knotts Bakery in Newtownards was awarded bronze in the Best Deli/Bakery category.
The President of the Newtownards Chamber of Commerce, Derek Wright, said he was delighted that Newtownards was ‘in the winning’, joking that the town was keeping up with local Olympians, such as golden boy Rhys McClenaghan.
“Newtownards is an award winning town which is great,” Mr Wright said.
“It is great to have so many businesses winning awards for our town centre. It is excellent.
“It is fabulous to see that Newtownards has featured well in both the Olympics and in the business awards.”
Mr Wright added that the town was looking forward to the participation of Barry McClements in the Paralympics, hopeful that more awards would be coming to the Newtownards.
A record 15,000 votes were cast in this year’s High Street Heroes, with dozens of independent retailers shortlisted across the 12 award categories.
A special reception was held in Belfast City Hall to celebrate the winners from across Northern Ireland.
Finalists were welcomed by Lord Mayor of Belfast, councillor Micky Murray, who spoke at the ceremony.
Congratulating the winners, Mr Murray said: “Independent retailers boost not only our economy, but also our quality of life, so it’s wonderful to be able to shine the spotlight on those who make our daily lives a little bit easier and brighter as they serve our communities – whether that’s in a bakery, chemist, coffee shop, or another independent retailer. Well done everyone.”
Retail NI Chief Executive, Glyn Roberts said: “The High Street Heroes Awards celebrate the best and brightest retailers that Northern Ireland has to offer, and this campaign has shown just how valued each one of these independent retailers are in their local communities, especially in Ballymoney where once again voters turned out to see their high street crowned.”
The High Street Hero NI Awards are a joint initiative powered by Retail NI and supported National Lottery operator Allwyn, SSE Airtricity, Roam Local NI and media partner Belfast Live.
Allwyn’s Chief Executive Officer, Andria Vidler, said: “We’re delighted to have been part of this celebration of independent retailers. Independent retailers have an incredibly positive impact on their local communities through their hard work, their constant local high street presence, and – for many – through selling The National Lottery in their stores and helping to raise over £30 million each week for projects across the UK, including projects on their doorstep. Congratulations to this year’s winners and nominees.”