Title: Recognizing the Positive Impact of High Street Heroes in Telford and Wrekin
The Telford and Wrekin Council recently recognized up to 30 local businesses for their positive impact on their respective high streets. The High Street Heroes awards were presented to nominated businesses in six county towns, including Dawley, Ironbridge, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates, and Wellington.
The awards are part of the council’s Pride in Our High Street program, which recognizes local businesses’ contributions to their communities. Since the initiative launched in 2019, the council has awarded 291 grants to local businesses, totaling over £1.1m.
The High Street Heroes awards not only recognize the businesses’ contributions but also encourage people to shop locally. During these difficult times for main streets, the recognized businesses have stood out and made a difference for local people and communities.
This article will explore the significance of recognizing local businesses’ efforts and discuss the impact of supporting small businesses on high streets. In addition, we will present examples of successful small business stories to provide inspiration to aspiring entrepreneurs.
Why Recognizing High Street Heroes is Important
Local businesses are the backbone of communities and contribute to local economies’ growth and vitality. Recognizing their efforts and contributions can boost their morale and improve their motivation, leading to better customer service and loyalty.
The High Street Heroes awards encourage businesses to strive for excellence and provide better products and services to their customers. This recognition can also help businesses differentiate themselves from competitors and attract new customers.
Moreover, recognizing high street heroes can inspire others to support local businesses and contribute to the community’s growth and development. People tend to trust and support businesses that have a positive reputation in their community, leading to increased foot traffic and sales.
Impact of Supporting Small Businesses
Small businesses are significant contributors to the UK’s economy, as they account for over 99% of all businesses. Supporting small businesses can lead to numerous benefits, including:
1. Job Creation: Small businesses create significant employment opportunities, with over 16 million people employed in the UK’s small business sector.
2. Increase in Competition: Supporting small businesses helps to increase competition, leading to more affordable prices for consumers and better-quality products and services.
3. Boost local economy: Small businesses contribute to local economies by providing employment opportunities, paying taxes, and investing in local communities.
4. Innovation and Creativity: Small businesses are more agile and can adapt to changing market trends and respond to consumer demands, leading to more innovative products and services.
Examples of Successful Small Business Stories
1. Bike-Tek, Newport: Bike-Tek is a family-run business that provides an extensive range of cycling products and services. The business won the High Street Heroes award for their commitment to the local community and outstanding service.
2. Happy House Lettings, Madeley: Happy House Lettings is a successful property management company that specializes in offering high-quality and affordable property rentals. The business won the award for their dedication to their customers and their contributions to the local community.
3. The Little Green Pantry, Wellington: The Little Green Pantry is an eco-friendly grocery store that aims to reduce waste by selling organic produce without packaging. The business has won several awards for their commitment to sustainability and providing affordable and healthy foods to the community.
Conclusion
Recognizing high street heroes and supporting small businesses can have a significant impact on local communities’ growth and development. Local businesses contribute to employment opportunities, competition, and local economies’ growth and vitality.
The High Street Heroes awards are an excellent initiative that recognizes businesses’ hard work and contributions to their respective communities. Encouraging people to shop locally can lead to a positive impact on the high street, making it more vibrant and attractive to visitors.
Incorporating these values into our daily lives can help strengthen local communities and promote the growth and development of small businesses. By supporting local businesses, we can help to create a more sustainable and thriving future for everyone.
Summary: The Telford and Wrekin Council recently recognized up to 30 local businesses for their positive impact on their respective high streets. The High Street Heroes awards were presented to nominated businesses in six county towns, including Dawley, Ironbridge, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates, and Wellington. The awards are part of the council’s Pride in Our High Street program, which recognizes local businesses’ contributions to their communities. Small businesses are significant contributors to the UK’s economy, and supporting them can lead to numerous benefits.
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Telford and Wrekin businesses have been recognized for the positive impact they have made on their local high street.
Up to 30 High Street Heroes have been announced in towns across the county, nominated by local residents, members of the public and businesses who use their services and feel they make a valuable contribution to the local community.
Councilors presented trophies and certificates to business winners in six county towns, including Dawley, Ironbridge, Madeley, Newport, Oakengates and Wellington.
Nominations for the latest round of High Street Heroes (Spring/Summer 2023) opened in February, receiving over 500 nominations from local residents and businesses.
Part of the council’s Pride in Our High Street programme, the awards recognize the difference businesses are making on their local high streets and the support each has given to their local communities.
High Street Heroes ranges from hairdressers and cafes to butchers, dry cleaners, dance and performing arts companies and clothing stores.
Pride in Our High Street continues to support local businesses and retailers and since the initiative launched in 2019, the council has awarded 291 grants to local businesses, totaling over £1.1m.
Kevin Sleigh, director of Bike-Tek in Newport, which is one of the High Street Heroes winners, said: “We would like to thank everyone who voted for us.
“We are delighted to be recognized in this way by the local community and the customers and businesses that use our service.”
In addition to business start-up grants, the council has also supported local businesses with other funds, including green grants, façade grants and a diversification grant that launched earlier this year.
It has also awarded trial start-up grants that have given online or home-based businesses the opportunity to try it out on the high street in the form of a market stall or small retail unit.
Councilor Lee Carter (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Place (neighborhood economy and services) said: “We would like to congratulate all the businesses that have been named as the first High Street Heroes for 2023 and the positive impact they have made on our high streets, encouraging people to shop local.
“While these remain difficult times for our main streets, these businesses have stood out and continue to make a difference for local people and communities.
“Small business businesses are very important in Telford & Wrekin and their value is recognized by Telford & Wrekin Council through these awards that are voted for by clients and other businesses that directly benefit from their services.”
Another round of High Street Heroes will be announced later in the year in the run-up to Small Business Saturday.
Small Business Saturday is the first Saturday in December and encourages people to shop local all year long, not just in the run up to Christmas.
You can find out more about Pride in Our High Street and the support that is available here.
High Street Heroes (Spring/Summer) 2023 winners include:
Dawley: Thomas Allsorts, Amanda’s Ow Bist’Ro, Local Print Stop, Mo’s Barbers
Ironbridge: Copper Fox, The Little Christmas Shop, The Tea Emporium, Bicycles by Design
Madeley: All Kinds of Wool and Cloth, Boulton’s Craft Butchery, Happy House Lettings, Yutopia Spa, Cooke’s Crafty Creations
Newport: Bike Tek, What Women Want, Oxfam, Oh Sew BlueSky, Pretty Puds Newport
Oakengates: Business Retreat Boutique, Telford Academy of Performing Arts, Coffee Aroma, Kings, Jessica’s Salon, Bee Sweet
Wellington: Anthony’s of Wellington, The Little Green Pantry, Spiceland, Sofia’s Coffee Shop, Boardroom Gaming Cafe
Pictured: Cllr Carolyn Healy (Lab), Telford & Wrekin Council Cabinet Member for Climate Action, Green Spaces and Heritage & Leisure and Ironbridge Gorge District Member presents the Bicycles by Design team in Coalbrookdale with their Heroes Award.
https://newsroom.telford.gov.uk/News/Details/16836
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