2024 High Street Hero Awards voting now open

Voting has now opened for this year’s High Street Hero Awards, that will showcase the very best independent retailers and high streets across Northern Ireland.

You can nominate your favourite business from today, July 1, until July 31, 2024. It is the perfect opportunity to recognise the independent retailers who are going above and beyond to serve the community and ensure our local high streets are still thriving places to shop and socialise.

Whether your High Street Hero is your favourite butcher, baker, or barista, they will all be showcased across 13 different categories including convenience store, deli, butcher, off licence and more, with the business who receives the most votes also named Overall Independent Retailer.

A record 12,000 votes were cast last year to determine who was crowned Northern Ireland’s retail elite last year. The Co Antrim town of Ballymoney was named High Street of The Year for 2023 in a tight race with Belfast’s Shankill Road and Newtownards.

You can vote for one or as many of the categories as you'd like. All you have to do to vote for a business is fill in the form below:

Voting closes at 11:59pm on July 31 2024.

Commenting as voting opened for 2024, 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. Our awards are different - they are a public vote, with no judges and it is local consumers deciding who wins.

“We’re gearing up for another huge showcase event and a massive celebration of the individual businesses who are the beating heart of our many villages, 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 now.”

The hugely successful High Street Hero NI awards is a joint initiative powered by Retail NI and supported National Lottery operator Allwyn, SSE Airtricity, Roam Local NI and media partner Belfast Live.

Allwyn’s Chief Executive Officer, Andria Vidler, said: “We’re delighted to be supporting High Street Heroes NI – highlighting, recognising and celebrating the huge contribution that independent retailers make to local high streets across Northern Ireland. Independent retail is, quite simply, the lifeblood of our local communities. And our 40,000+ retail partners who sell The National Lottery in their stores make a vital difference in helping raise an average of £4 million every day for National Lottery-funded projects.

“So, it means a great deal to me and everyone at Allwyn to be able to acknowledge all the hard work, passion and perseverance shown by every store. We wish every retailer the very best of luck and look forward to celebrating both the winners and nominees.”

Andrew Greer, General Manager of SSE Airtricity Northern Ireland said:“For us at SSE Airtricity, supporting local communities is cornerstone to our mission. Retail NI’s annual High Street Hero awards set a benchmark of excellence, celebrating the businesses and individuals who go above and beyond to serve their communities. We are delighted to be involved in this initiative.

“With over 300,000 domestic and business customers across Northern Ireland, our commitment to supporting local is important. Recently, SSE Airtricity launched a €5million all-island Generation Green Community Fund with the aim of delivering meaningful community benefits. We encourage everyone to get nominating and look forward to showcasing the best that Northern Ireland has to offer on the high street.”

Editor of Belfast Live, Sheena McStravick said: “Belfast Live is once again delighted to be on board as media partner for the High Street Heroes awards. At the heart of what we do is to champion local people and local businesses, from right across Northern Ireland, so it's a perfect fit for us to be able to highlight the incredible work of businesses as part of these awards.”

Andrew Bartlett, Founder of Roam Local NI said: “Roam Local NI is delighted to support the High Street Heroes campaign for 2024. Celebrating local business is what we are all about, as showcasing the finest in independent retail means that everyone can avail of the best that Northern Ireland has to offer, the local high streets are kept thriving with footfall and people can make the most of the unique offerings and best deals on their doorstep.”

The 13 High Street Hero Award categories are:

• Best Butcher

• Best Coffee Shop

• Best Convenience Store

• Best Deli/Bakery

• Best Fashion Retailer

• Best Forecourt

• Best Generalist Retailer

• Best Healthcare Retailer

• High Street of the Year

• Best Homeware Retailer

• Best Off Licence

• Best independent retailer employee

• Overall Independent Retailer

For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here and sign up to our daily newsletter here.