INDEPENDENT BUSINESS AWARDS RETURN TO ASHTON
Shoppers can vote for their favourite independent business based in Ashton Town Centre this July in the Ashton Independent Business Awards. You can vote online from July 1st at www.ashtonsmallbiz.co.uk with the winners announced from August 14th!
The town centre will be more of the focus of this year’s awards as 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. Categories that you can nominate in are:
- Fashion/Footwear
- Fresh Food
- Cafe/Take away
- Restaurant
- Jewellers
- Hair & Beauty
- Specialist Retail
- Floral, Cards & Gifts
- New Business
- Market Trader
There will also be a Town Team award chosen by the Deputy Chair of Ashton Town Team – Councillor Bill Fairfoull.
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.