Great British High Street Awards

Am originally from one of the villages surrounding the beautiful town of Rye and I work for Visa in London. No doubt you know my parents John and Liz Royle, still residents.

Earlier this summer, representatives from Visa together with Communities Secretary Rt Hon James Brokenshire MP, High Streets Minister Jake Berry MP, and campaign influencer Simon Reeve (author and TV presenter) launched The Great British High Street collaboration awards 2018.

As a true and proud “Ryer”, I have always been really impressed by the tight-knit and welcoming community spirit of this unique town.

I believe our local businesses deserve to be recognised through the GBHS campaign for their entrepreneurship and for their key role in the community. Rye is a great place for running festivals and campaigns and always has been. The festivals that it organises are world class – from the jazz and arts festivals, the scallop and wild boar festivals and not forgetting the Bonfire Night…..

Local authorities and business improvement districts can both register high streets in this programme. Please can you encourage our local authority and/or BID to nominate Rye in this campaign.

The closing date for entries is 22 August.
You can find more details about the initiative at: https://thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk/high-street-of-the-year-awards/register

I really hope you will agree that this is a great initiative!

I have already urged Rye and Hastings MP Amber Rudd to encourage Rother District Council to register Rye in the competition (which her secretary has confirmed that she has done) and I have contacted the mayor, Michael Boyd also.

It would be great if we could get local businesses behind this initiative and if Rye were to win, the businesses would certainly benefit. I would really urge you to take up the baton and contact local organisations with an interest in this initiative. It’s always good to promote the town for the benefit of the local community.

All the best,

Christopher Royle