Thame’s ‘High street hero’ Chris need YOUR vote!

POPULAR Thame market trader, Chris Hurdman, has today been named as one of Britain’s high street heroes by being shortlisted in the third annual Great British High Street competition.

Market Trader Steve Slade (left), Chris Hurdman and Helen Johns

Chris, who is Secretary of The Thame Market Co-operative, has been named as one of the top three, with Nicola Martin (Ashton under Lyne) and Beverley Milner Simonds (Burnham on Sea, Somerset) in the market traders category. Now, to be crowned champion, he needs your votes. Between now and November 18, the public has the chance to vote directly for Chris – you can cast your vote once a day, for free, via http://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk.

One of the most successful market traders of his generation, Chris has been involved in market trading in Oxfordshire for 31 years. He has been secretary of the Thame Market Traders Cooperative, as well as an active stall holder, for 20 years. Thame Weekly Charter Market was the first cooperatively run trader-operated market in the country. Although several markets have disappeared in recent times, the Thame Market remains buoyant with growing turnover over the past three years (Thame Market Survey 2015).

If Chris wins, not only will he get a share of a £10,000 prize pot, he’ll win expert training from Google’s digital taskforce for shops, bars and restaurants and a trip to Twitter UK’s London office to further boost his social media skills. The public’s votes count for 50% of the result. The other 50% will be made up of scores from an expert judging panel, based on applications received and additional activity on social media which promotes Chris’s contribution to Thame’s High Street.

The Great British High Street Competition 2016 celebrates the amazing work that is being done to revive, adapt and diversify the nation’s high streets. It’s one of a number of initiatives helping to champion high streets as cornerstones of the community. This year’s competition saw a record 900 entries across 14 categories. New for 2016, the competition has introduced the High Street Hero awards. With categories for market traders, store managers or employees from national or independent retailers, and for under 25s, high streets are able to enter individuals who are making a difference to their local community.

High Streets Minister Andrew Percy said: “Our high streets are the life and soul of towns, villages and cities across the country and the record number of competition entries, this year is proof of their continued importance to local life. From North London to Northumberland, great work is underway to adapt the high street to the needs of modern life. I want to wish all who’ve entered the very best of luck.”

On learning he is a finalist, Chris Hurdman said: “I‘m bowled over to be shortlisted in the top three in the market traders category of the Great British High Streets Competition. I’m honoured and humbled to have been chosen by the people of Thame as an award candidate. I believe there’s a renewed buzz on our high streets and this competition shows that Thame with its market has the best ideas, innovation and creativity. Now we just need everyone to show their support and get voting.”

To go online to cast your vote, visit the Great British High Street website http://thegreatbritishhighsteeet.co.uk/high-street-of-the-year-award and follow @TheGBHighSt on Twitter.