Fifers urged to nominate their High Street heroes for special award

Fifers have been urged to nominate their High Street heroes for a new award.

The aim is to recognise their dedication and determination to help those around them during the coronavirus crisis.

Nominations are being sought from across the Kingdom for the High Street Heroes Awards.

Members of the public can nominate a local person, business or organisation which they feel has made a difference - from helping vulnerable neighbours to keeping town centres welcoming and safe as restrictions have eased.

The awards are being organised as part of the Scotland Loves Local campaign, which encourages shoppers to think local first and back businesses in their own town centre before travelling further afield or turning to online retail giants.

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Spearheaded by Scotland’s Towns Partnership, with the support of the Scottish Government, the multimedia promotion is part of the nation’s financial fightback from the disruption caused by coronavirus.

Phil Prentice, chief officer of Scotland’s Towns Partnership, said: “For all that civic-minded citizens, business owners and local organisations in our town centres have done for us, now it’s time for us to do something for them.

“Throughout Fife, these are people who are at the heart of our communities. They go to remarkable lengths to support those around them - never more so than in recent months.

“Despite the challenges that they have faced, an amazing number have been at the heart of community responses, easing issues faced by their customers and neighbours, whether that be through making deliveries or even the simple act of regular phone calls to make sure that vulnerable people are well.

“Many have also contributed to ensuring our town centres are clean, safe and welcoming places to visit as lockdown restrictions have eased. We want to shine a spotlight on all that they have done.”

Nominations for the awards open today, and will close at 5:00pm on Friday, September 11. Everyone nominated will receive recognition from the Scotland Loves Local campaign.

A selection of nominees chosen from across the country will also receive a special Scotland Loves Local prize.

Aileen Campbell MSP, Scotland’s Communities Secretary, said: “When the coronavirus lockdown was introduced it reshaped various aspects of our lives – how we worked, shopped and interacted with one another all changed overnight.

“As travel was limited to prevent the spread of the virus, the true value of localism was brought into sharp focus.

“ It’s important now that we recognise the efforts made by those individuals, groups and local businesses who went to extraordinary lengths to support our communities during a period of great uncertainty.”

https://lovelocal.scot/high-street-heroes/.

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