Voting critical for Thame’s ‘Greatest High Street’ bid

AS judgement day for the Great British High Street Competition draws ever closure, Thame’s campaign to win the public’s vote moved up a notch today when the Thame High Street team went out into the market gathering support by talking to people and explaining just how important it is that EVERYONE goes online ONCE every day, and votes for Thame to become the top Great British High Street of 2016.

Helen Johns (L) Paul Peedell – Manager Thame Co-op, Linda Emery

Almost 500 leaflets were given out by a dedicated team from 21st Century Thame and Thame Town Council, throughout the day at the Tuesday market, working hard to ensure that Thame wins. The Mayor of Thame, Cllr Linda Emery was chatting to locals and visitors – some from as far away as the US, New Zealand and Iran – and practicing her new twitter skills – an essential part of how the contesting towns are being judged between now and November 18, when the campaigning stops.

The public vote is only 50% of the total reckoning to decide which of the three Small Market Towns wins, Chipping Norton, Hebden Bridge or Thame. Within the next couple of weeks, Thame will be visited by a judge from from one of the sponsors, and their verdict will account for the other 50%.

Thame’s MP, John Howell, is getting behind the campaign. He said: “It’s excellent news that Thame is one of the three finalists in the small market town category of this year’s Great British High Street Competition. Thame is a vibrant town with the community very much at its heart. Last year it was awarded Rising Star status and it has certainly risen to the challenge. Its place in the finals this year is well deserved. My congratulation and thanks to all those who work so hard, day in day out, to build the community here. I would encourage everyone who values Thame Town Centre to support them by voting for Thame.”

More opportunities to vote

During the next three weeks, there will be voting stations at the Town Hall, some shops and other venues throughout the town, so look out for ‘Vote Here’ stickers. If you can’t place a vote online, there are voting slips available at the Town Hall which you can hand to family members or friends, so that they can vote.

As a winner, Thame stands to win a share of a £100,000 prize pot plus expert training from Google’s digital taskforce for Thame’s shops, bars and restaurants and a trip to Twitter UK’s London office to further boost social media skills.

How is Thame doing in the voting and what if we win?

Helen Johns, who is co-ordinating Thame’s Great British High Street team, reiterated what winning would mean for the town: “Winning will boost town pride and have tangible economic impact with increased footfall in the town.

“Now that public voting is underway, the organisers are publishing weekly league tables so that anyone can see where the finalists in each category stand in order of first, second and third place. Every vote helps to push Thame up the voting league. Everyone – businesses, families, friends and relatives near or far, can help Thame win by making voting for Thame their number one task! EACH DAY.” When the voting league tables were published on Friday, Hebden Bridge was in front so Thame needs to get serious now and really ‘pull out all the stops’ to pull ahead of its rivals by next Friday’s league table!

To vote for Thame, go to: vote4thame.uk and to find out more about The Great British High Street Competition, read about the sponsors and learn about how you can use your pictures and social media to boost Thame’s chances, go to: thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk and FOLLOW @TheGBHighSt on Twitter.