Luke Hall MP, Members of the Sodbury Chamber of Commerce, Sodbury and Yate Business Association Members, Business People, residents and an array of town representatives united on Tuesday morning as the town came together to launch their entry to win the award of best market town high street.
The Great British High Street awards, ran by the Department for Local Government and Communities is a national competition that seeks the find the UK’s best high street.
The 1000 word submission was drafted jointly by Luke Hall MP, Chair of the Chamber Jo Cox and member Angie Lane, who runs the Boundary Magazine.
The Town has previously entered on past occasions but this year there has been a palpable excitement in the town as the local Sodbury chamber received backing from local figures across the community, including local MP Luke Hall, Town Councillors, and chairs of the various festivals and committees that run all year round.
Previous winners of the award have been boosted by a huge online effort from residents, shoppers and local people taking to twitter and facebook to back their town’s entry as well as promoting what they love about their local high street.
Chipping Sodbury High Street consists of a unique proportion of independent traders, cafes, pubs, retailers and restaurants.
The grouping who has attracted wide spread support have been keen to explain to local people how they can ‘back the bid’ and have produced a “three ways to get involved” they are as follows;
THREE ways you can help support the bid this year;
1. If you're on the high street shopping and make a purchase post a photo along with #GBHighstreet #Chippingsodbury
2. If you are joining in a one of the many activities in the area use #GBhighstreet #Chippingsodbury
3. If you've attended one of the festivals, classic car run, mop fair, squirrel search, sportive, tour of Britain or any of the many other events this summer, share your photos on Facebook to the ‘Visit Chipping Sodbury’ page or on twitter using the hash tag
Chair of the Chamber Jo Cox said; ''Chipping Sodbury is a beautiful town and has some fantastic independent shops. Not many high streets are still made up of 80% independents. The strong community aspect of the town is apparent. How many other towns come have 2,500 residents come together on a bank holiday in June to celebrate the queen’s birthday, and sharing a 'big lunch' together. Our diverse events throughout the year and our great shops make us a strong bid to win a great British high street award
Local MP Luke Hall said; “This year’s bid has been met with such enthusiasm from everyone in Sodbury, It is a first class submission and I really do hope the town gets shortlisted as it really does deserve it”