Omagh Shortlisted for High Street Award

11th October 2018

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Omagh’s town centre is one of 38 High Streets across the UK to be shortlisted for the Great British High Street Award.

The award, sponsored by Visa, aims to celebrate and highlight the work that town centre businesses, community/voluntary sector, council and agencies put into the urban centre..
The application for this prestigious award was submitted by Omagh Town Centre Forum, a partnership body comprising businesses, councillors and agencies, who advise and monitor initiatives for the regeneration and promotion of the the town.

Commenting on the nomination, the Chairperson of Omagh Town Centre Forum, Ms Lynn McKinley (She, Ladies Boutique, Owner) is delighted about the shortlisting.

“It’s wonderful to see Omagh’s town centre being recognised and promoted for this award. The businesses work hard to make it a unique and welcoming place for shoppers and visitors alike. A series of initiatives are promoted every year to revive and adapt our High Street, including a calendar of events aimed at drawing people into the town.”

The shortlist was announced after a rigorous selection process led by a panel of independent judges. Omagh is one of 26 high streets to have been shortlisted in the Champion High Street category, which aims to find the UK’s best high street, while 12 high streets have been shortlisted in the Rising Star category, which aims to find the UK’s most ambitious high streets.

Speaking about the nomination, the Chairman of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Howard Thornton, said

“I would like to extend my congratulations to Omagh Town Centre Forum on being shortlisted for such a prestigious award. This is the first year that applications have been accepted from Northern Ireland, and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is delighted that Omagh is one of just three towns in Northern Ireland to be shortlisted for the Champion Award. It is recognition not only of the quality of the businesses in Omagh town centre but also the level of co-operation between the businesses, council and agencies through the Town Centre Forum in making the shopping and hospitality experience in Omagh such a positive one.”

Visa street teams will also be visiting the town to get the local community involved through various activities including giveaways.

The town will be assessed in the coming weeks and 30% of the final score for the Awards is decided by social media support. The community can vote by posting on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram using #MYHIGHSTREET and #GBHSOmagh. Voting ends at 23.59 on 31 October 2018. For more information, please visit the Great British High Street website.