Retail NI is encouraging the public to cast their vote for their favourite high street retailers and help identify who will be recognised with a coveted High Street Hero Award for 2023 in its annual celebration of the best of Northern Ireland’s independent retail sector.
The hugely successful High Street Hero NI awards is a joint initiative powered by Retail NI and supported by media partner Belfast Live in addition to Camelot, Roam and Strategic Power Connect.
A record 10,000 local votes were registered in last year’s competition which saw Newtownards and Coleraine named joint winners of the prestigious High Street of the Year award.
Read more: Popular Co Down cafe Joxer reveals expansions plans for third location
Newtownards retailer Wardens was also overall winner of Retailer of the Year, which helped to secure the busy Co Down town as the official launch location for this year’s overall awards.
Retail NI is delighted to announce a brand-new category for 2023 Best Green Retailer. To enter this category, retailers must submit a 30-second video showcasing their environmental credentials, for example, in recycling, energy efficiency or other measures.
These videos will then be uploaded to the voting portal where the public will cast their votes. Videos for the Best Green Retailer must be received by 23 June to ensure that they are uploaded to the voting portal. To submit for this category please email your video to joelene@retailni.com
Online voting for all 13 categories officially opens on Independents’ Day on Tuesday July 4 when Northern Ireland shoppers are encouraged to support their High Street and the big impact independent retailers make to the local economy.
High Street Heroes 2023 Categories:
1. Best Butcher
2. Best Coffee Shop
3. Best Convenience Store
4. Best Deli/Bakery
5. Best Fashion Independent Retailer
6. Best Forecourt
7. Best Generalist Independent Retailer
8. Best Green Independent Retailer
9. Best Healthcare Independent Retailer
10. High Street of the Year
11. Best Homeware Independent Retailer
12. Best Off Licence
13. Overall Independent Retailer
Launching the awards for 2023, Glyn Roberts, Retail NI Chief Executive, said: "Independent retail is the lifeblood of communities right across Northern Ireland and our annual High Street Heroes NI campaign represents the biggest celebration of our thriving local retail sector.
"This year, we’re preparing to mark our biggest ever showcase event and a massive celebration of the individual businesses who are the beating heart of our many towns and cities.
“The awards are open to local retailers right across Northern Ireland – Portaferry to Pomeroy, Newry to Newtownabbey and Strabane to Scarva and will identify those local independent retailers who are taking a lead.
"Whether it’s a local butcher that’s a cut above the rest or fashion retailer with exceptional style, it’s time to vote for your favourite.
A second new additional category – Best Generalist Retailer – means the public can vote for any retailer not covered by an existing category.
Winners are determined solely by public nominations through Belfast Live’s online voting form which will be live on Tuesday July 4 and the public are encouraged to cast their votes before the deadline of 31 July 2023.
Retail NI, which represents the independent retail and wholesale sector in Northern Ireland, launched the High Street Heroes NI campaign to recognise and reward local retailers and their impact on local communities – 70 pence in every £1 spent with a local independent retailer is recycled through the economy, supporting local producers, manufacturers and invested back into the community.
Chris Sherrard, Audience and Content Director at Reach Plc, the company behind Belfast Live, said: "Our independent retail sector is what helps to make our towns and cities unique, vibrant and attractive, which is why we’re delighted to help to get the word out about this year’s High Street Hero Awards which reaches every part of the region.
"As Northern Ireland’s biggest online news platform, we’re delighted to lend our support and we would encourage everyone to get their votes in early. Good luck to every business that gets nominated this year."
Shortlisted retailers will be announced in early August, with an awards evening scheduled to take place in late August.
READ NEXT:
Six bakeries named best in Northern Ireland at national awards
Belfast restaurant closes doors as they prepare to open new "improved" location
Work well underway to transform former Eglantine Inn into new 'sports bar'
Full list of Northern Irish restaurants featured in the Michelin Guide 2023
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our What's On newsletter here
