Thame goes for gold in Great British High Street competition

THAME is in the running to win up to £50,000 in prize money as part of a nationwide search for the Britain’s best high street.

Thame High Street has been entered in to the Small Market Town category of the Great British High Street award, in recognition of the town’s collective efforts to increase the vitality and viability of the area. This includes holding workshops for businesses to help them take advantage of the town’s associations with the filming of Midsomer Murders, the installation of numbered, brass waymarkers set into the pavements linked to Historic walks leaflets, using the high street in innovative ways to promote the evening economy including Street Cricket, ‘Brush Parties’ for budding artists in a local pub, regular, live music events in local pubs, supporting events like the Thame Food Festival and the Thame Arts and Literature Festival, appointing a Market Town Coordinator, mentoring and offering social media training to town centre retailers and other small businesses to work together to promote the town and what it has to offer – all helping to deliver Thame’s vision as an attractive, appealing destination for residents, visitors and shoppers.

Thame Town Centre Social Media Champions (L to R) Justin Shardlow, Sonja Francis, Sarah Lister, Anwen Russell, Lizzie Fuller, Norma Laver, Cassie Pinnells and Jenny Walker (T shirts printed and sponsored by Mr Mend, Thame)

The on-line entry includes photographs of various activities in the town centre, and video footage of interviews with Thame’s market traders, independent retailers and the Mayor or Thame, Linda Emery, as well as scenes from town centre life – much of it shot my Emma Lowndes of ThameTV, and edited into three separate video, by Tony Long. You can view the videos here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9mytf6FRdJs

The results of a recent survey carried out among retailers in the town centre, show just how such projects and initiatives have contributed to:

76% increased customer visits
68% increased turnover
100% customers satisfied
34% increased event footfall

If successful, Thame will win a share of the cash prize pot, and dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts which could range from one to one coaching to advice on digital marketing.

One of the main objectives of the Great British High Street competition is to share successful ideas for regenerating high streets and making them vibrant places to shop and socialise.

Helen Johns, who has co-ordinated Thame’s entry on behalf of 21st Century Thame, and supported by Thame Town Council, said: “The High streets is a vital part of our community and makes a very important contribution to the local economy through the thousands of pounds it generates and the jobs it supports in retail, leisure and other businesses. This translates to billions of pounds and thousands of jobs all over the country supporting the national economy.

“There’s a renewed buzz on our high streets and this competition is searching for the very best ideas, innovation and creativity which is great news for our town centre, and fingers crossed our entry will be successful.”

There are seven separate categories in recognition of the diversity of Britain’s high streets: City Centre; London; Town Centre; Market Town; Coastal Community; Village and parade of shops.

The public can support Thame’s nomination at http://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk/get-involved and if Thame is shortlisted, everyone will be able to vote for their favourite high street. Nominations are open until July 17, 2016.