THERE are just four days left to vote for the Irish News/Retail NI High Street Heroes initiative.
And Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has come in behind the campaign, encouraging shoppers to choose their favourite independent retailers before the July 30 deadline.
After the toughest year in a generation for our high streets, local shoppers have one final chance to name the local retailers they feel should be rewarded for their tireless service to their community.
Whether your High Street Hero is your favourite butcher, baker, or barista, the campaign is a celebration of the brilliant work of independent retailers and the pride they bring to local communities. Votes have been rolling in and the competition is fierce ahead of the voting deadline closing next week.
High Street Heroes NI is a joint campaign from Retail NI and the Irish News supported by Camelot and Translink.
With thousands of votes cast already across Northern Ireland competition is tight as towns and villages vie for the overall titles.
Votes can be cast across 12 different categories with shoppers and customers asked to name their favourite convenience store, deli, butcher, off-license, or Covid-19 champion, among others.
Get involved today and give your local independent retailers the recognition they deserve by placing your vote at retailni.com/high-street-heroes or www.irishnews.com/heroes in these categories:
:: Favourite retail outlet
:: Convenience Store
:: Off-Licence
:: Coffee Shop
:: Healthcare Retailer
:: Fashion Retailer
:: Butcher
:: Deli
:: Homeware Retailer
:: Overall Favourite High Street of the Year
:: Community COVID-19 Champion
:: Independent Retail Employee of the Year
Minister Lyons said: “Independent retailers are the backbone of village, town and city centres across Northern Ireland. They've played a vital role throughout the pandemic and that will only increase as the recovery accelerates.
“Shoppers enjoy the individual character, expertise and personal service delivered by independent retailers and this is the opportunity to vote for your favourites across the wide range of categories, so go ahead and vote.”
Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts added: “With just days left to cast your vote, we encourage Irish News readers and the general public to celebrate their favourite local independent retailer and vote for their High Street Heroes.”
