WELCOME TO THE NORWICH LANES

Great British High Street Of The Year

On November 7th 2014, it was announced by the Department for Communities and Local Government, that the Norwich Lanes had won the city category in the Great British High Street of the Year Awards. Here we take a look at how and why we won, what it means for the area and the city as a whole.

The story starts in September when our main sponsor, the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID), called the Norwich Lanes Association into a meeting to give us word of a new national high street competition and to tell us they would like to nominate the Lanes. A pot of tea later and some ticking of boxes, it was quickly decided to give it a go.

Following a successful nomination and taking a good look at the impressive opposition, it was decided the best way to get shortlisted for this prestigious award was to take our campaign to social media to influence the judges online. In true Lanes fashion, we took the #GBHighSt hashtag and made it our very own, all with a little help from our influential friends.

boutiques and smaller stores. Glasgow Style Mile is often referred to as a ‘Shoppers Paradise’ packed to the brim with the biggest brands, major retailers and independent boutiques. A high calibre of competition indeed.

Later that month the judges came and went after a stroll in the Lanes and a chat to a few of the shopkeepers on their way. Then on November 7th, we got the call. The Norwich Lanes had won the city category in the Great British High Street of the Year Awards! Cue the popping of corks.

So where does this leave the Norwich Lanes and the city as a whole? The award has brought in unprecedented media coverage both nationally and internationally and also once again, it helps Norwich to maintain its position as one of the top ten shopping destinations in the UK.

What The Judges Said

The judges were impressed with the leadership exhibited by Norwich Lanes Association, describing them as a team of media savvy business leaders, who are working in partnership with traders and Norwich BID to develop a strong brand, organising a series of innovative events and marketing campaigns. The enthusiasm and passion of the volunteer ambassadors, prolific throughout the town, was another reason why the judges chose Norwich Lanes as the winner in this category.

The Lanes Association demonstrated real innovation is in the use of digital tools, one example being Droplet, a mobile payment service allowing people to buy goods using their smartphone – giving a much needed boost to small traders.

In early October it was announced that the Norwich Lanes had been shortlisted for an award alongside Park Street Bristol and the Glasgow Style Mile. Park Street Bristol is a traditional high street, with international brands sharing spaces with eclectic

All in all, a job well done. It just goes to prove what a bit of collaboration between a few small businesses can achieve. It also provides clear evidence, that there is life in the independent retailers yet. Taking on global brands, national chain stores and beating them at their own game.

Last but by no means least, we’d like to thank you all for your continual support and congratulate everyone in the Norwich Lanes. They say that variety is the spice of life and we have it by the bucket load.

The judges were also delighted to see how Norwich Lanes had adopted and promoted the #GBHighSt branding – demonstrating the real passion behind this entry.