Search is on for Britain's high street heroes

* Could Castle Street be in the running for a high street award?

Denbighshire County Council is encouraging people to nominate in this year’s Great British High Street Awards to recognise  the efforts of the business community across the county.

The Great British High Street Awards 2015 were a huge success, with over 230 high streets entering and nearly 200,000 votes cast for the 21 finalists.

Last year, Prestatyn High Street came second in the Coastal Community category after a fiercely contested public vote.

Now, organisers of the campaign are calling for entries for the 2016 competition.  As well as the Great British High Street categories, there are two other main categories.

The  competition categories for places are:

• Best Town Centre High Street
• Best Market Town High Street (small)
• Best Market Town High Street (large)
• Best Coastal Community High Street
• Best Village High Street
• Best Local Centre - precinct or parade of shops
• Rising Star - to recognise towns who are turning fortunes around

The four competition categories for individuals are:

• Best Store Manager or Employee from a National Retailer / Organisation
• Best Store Manager or Employee from an Independent / Small Business
• Best Market Manager, Operator, Farmer or Trader
• Best under 25 year old, manager or employee from a high street business

Leader of Denbighshire, Councillor Hugh Evans OBE said: “All of our town centres are important to us in Denbighshire and town centre growth has been identified as a priority in our Economic and Community Ambition Strategy.

“We want our local high streets and business people to be recognised for their efforts, to help celebrate all that is good about our high streets. With competition from large retail parks and the internet, we want people to visit and use our high streets and the wide array of goods and services they have to offer.

“Only recently the council launched its  #lovelivelocal campaign, in a bid to encourage greater use of the High Street and for people to share their shopping experiences.

“Getting involved in the Great British High Street also helps raise the profile of a high street through its associated publicity and marketing opportunities, so we would encourage people to get nominating, as the deadline is fast approaching."

The deadline for nominations is September 8. For further information, visit: www.thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk