Vote for Rotherham High Street

Competition is fierce with the Department for Communities & Local Government reporting 25,000 votes recorded across the country in the first two days.

Pitched against Altrincham and Tamworth in the ‘Town’ category, Rotherham’s bid focusses on the major improvements that have been made in the town.

Rotherham Council's Advisory Cabinet member for housing and the local economy Cllr Denise Lelliott said: “Once reported as having the highest level of out-of-town retail competition in the country, the town has clearly faced a number of significant challenges but despite that we have seen over £100m of public and private sector investment in recent years.

“With a clear strategy to revitalise the town centre, the retail offer has seen over 75 entrepreneurs supported in starting their retail career in the town centre.”

With a visit from the judging panel due shortly, Rotherham is pulling out all the stops to ensure visitors understand the scale of works that have been undertaken and the number of partners that have been involved, from Rotherham Council, Heritage Lottery Fund and The Arts Council to property owners, retailers and local community and voluntary groups.

Rotherham’s retail investment manager Bernadette Rushton said she was delighted the hard work in the town centre had been recognised.

She added: “Despite what the name suggests, the competition isn’t about saying we have the best High Street in the country or that we don’t still have challenges to face, it’s about recognising the work that has gone into regenerating the town.

“There has been a huge investment in the town centre from a number of partners, not least the retailers and building owners themselves and we hope to be able to show the judges just what fantastic businesses, old and new, we have here and just how far the town and High Street have come in recent years.

“The judges are looking for evidence of partnership working and innovation and we hope to be able to impress them when they visit.’’

Businesses from across the town were also delighted that Rotherham was in the spotlight for the right reasons.

Luke Ellis, from Ellis Fruit & Veg in Rotherham Markets, is encouraging everyone to support Rotherham’s bid.

He said: “It’s great news, how fantastic that people across the country are talking about our town for the right reasons! This is a chance for Rotherham residents to get behind our town and focus on what’s great about where we live. I’m voting every day and would encourage everyone else to do the same.

‘”The #loverotherham campaign which ran over the summer and the Retailer of the Year Awards last month were a great way of generating a positive buzz about the town, now we have chance to do that on an even bigger scale.’’

Charlotte Scothern of Patchwork Pig said: “It’s such a boost for all the businesses that are trading here that we’ve been shortlisted from 230 applications! The High Street and wider town has changed dramatically in recent years; the Townscape Heritage Initiative has undoubtedly transformed some of our most impressive buildings. Many of my customers can’t believe the changes when they visit. It would be great to see Rotherham win for everyone that lives here or runs a business in the town centre.”

Voting closes on November 13 and you can register your vote at www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk