Ashton Town Team

present

Independent

Retail Awards 2026

INDEPENDENT BUSINESS AWARDS RETURN TO ASHTON

 

 

Shoppers can vote for their favourite independent business based in Ashton Town Centre this June in the Ashton Independent Retail Awards. You can vote from June 1st  with the winners announced from July 14th

The town centre is the focus of this year’s awards as independent retail businesses work hard to attract shoppers to the town once again. So, the footprint covered by the awards will be dedicated solely to that area. This will include Stamford Street, George Street, Old Street, Katherine Street, Oldham Road, Penny Meadow, Fletcher Street, Market Street, Booth Street, Henrietta Street, Bow Street, Warrington Street, Market Avenue, Wood Street, Delamere Street, Booth Street, Wellington Street, Cavendish Street, Bentinck Street and St Michael’s Square. Of course, this would include businesses in Ashton Market, Market Ground and those independent businesses in our Ashton shopping centres.  New for this year will be the opportunity to vote for your favourite bar or club in the town centre too. Categories that you can nominate in are:

  • Fashion/Footwear
  • Fresh Food
  • Cafe/Take away
  • Jewellers
  • Hair & Beauty
  • Specialist Retail
  • Floral, Cards & Gifts
  • Market Trader
  • Bar or Club
  • New Business

 

A spokesperson for Ashton Town Team said: “We’ve had a tough time in Ashton town centre in the past few years after Covid with the work on the market ground causing disruption for many businesses. The awards are a chance to showcase our fantastic independent businesses and for shoppers to recognise great service and value they receive.”

Ashton Independent Retail Awards is organised by Ashton Town Team and supported by the UK Government Pride in Place funding.

 

Independent Retail Awards 2026

Voting opens on June 1st

Who are Ashton Town Team?

Following the Portas review, an independent review into the future of our high streets, the Ashton Town Team was formed in 2012 with local businesses, Tameside Council and key stakeholders within the town centre.

It’s a voluntary organisation which relies on funding and sponsorship to achieve its aims in supporting our town centre and its small independent businesses. Small businesses offer something unique that provides an essential element in the mix of national retail and leisure which should form part of Ashton town centre.  Over the years the Town Team have introduced events like Scarefest, Heritage Day and supported Totally Locally campaigns like Fiverfest. We have campaigned on issues like parking, town centre signage and security. In 2019 we produced a map for the town centre and this year we launch the Independent Business Awards for the town centre.