Londonderry Chamber President, Dawn McLaughlin, and Chamber Chief Executive, Paul Clancy, have today encouraged the public across the North West to vote for their High Street Hero.

Paul and Dawn joined DCSDC Mayor, Alderman Graham Warke, Glyn Roberts, Chief Executive of Retail NI and Gary McDonald from the Irish News to encourage shoppers and customers to choose their their favourite independent retailer and overall local high street.

After the toughest year in a generation for our local high streets, the call has now opened for local shoppers 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 the North West. Votes are already rolling in and the competition is heating up as the deadline for nominations set to close in early August.

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 last year across Northern Ireland competition is set to be stiff as town 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.

To give your independent retailers in the North West the recognition they deserve place your vote at  retailni.com/high-street-heroes

The High Street Heroes categories include:

  • 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.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Alderman Graham Warke said:

“Retail NI’s campaign puts the focus deservedly on our independent retailers, who have had to be more resilient than ever over the past 18 months. I am extremely proud of the independent retailers in our Council area and the contribution they make to our community.”

“Retail NI’s campaign ensures the service and innovation independent retailers bring to the high street is rightfully recognised and provides encouragement to our retailers through an extremely tough year.”

“Independent retailers bring a mix of tradition and diversity to our high streets and that is something that should be celebrated. It is the distinct character and service provided by independent retailers that bring shoppers to the high street daily.”