As we reported last month, Grimsby’s Freeman Street Market was nominated for a ‘Great British High Street Award’.
The good news is that it has now been shortlisted – for the Champion High Street Award!
This award recognises the UK’s best high street with exceptionally strong local communities who are leading the way to the high streets of the future. In this category, Freeman Street Market will be judged on four pillars of success – Community, Customer Experience, Environment and Digital Transformation.
The Market has been at the heart of the community for over 140 years. During that time, many hurdles have been faced. Despite this, Freeman Street Market is still thriving with a community built from small businesses, food vendors and loyal customers. Thanks to investment by the Enrolled Freemen of Grimsby, it boasts a healthy 85% occupancy rate – something which, in the current climate, many High Streets would envy. The latest development is the ‘International Food Court’ which opened at the beginning of August, meaning that 8 eateries (each with a 5 star hygiene rating) are now open 5 days per week, not just on traditional market days of Tuesday, Friday and Saturday.
Sean McGarel, Freeman Street Market’s General Manager said “We were proud to be nominated and we’re immensely proud now to have been shortlisted. Over the years we have evolved more into a centre for the community, serving the community and driven by it. We have so many different groups that come in to the market for events and services – dance groups, the NHS, the local residents’ group, councillors’ and MP’s surgeries, and job fairs, plus lots of arts, craft and drama. We’d like to thank all our traders, customers, and partner organisations, and look forward to continued working together.”
All applications and nominations were reviewed by an independent panel of judges who determined the shortlisted Champion and Rising Star high streets. The winning High Street will be announced at an award ceremony in London in November, to which representatives of Freeman Street Market will be invited. However, you can help by voting for Freeman Street by following this link: https://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk/high-street-of-the-year-awards/champion-finalist-grimsby One vote is allowed per email address per day, so get voting…. As well as being a local champion, let’s see if we can help them become a national champion!