By Lesley Walsh
CONSUMERS across Bangor and North Down are being encouraged to vote for their favourite independent retailers, retail teams and high streets.
Bangor City Hall played host this week to Retail NI’s launch of this year’s High Street Heroes campaign, when local people were encouraged to celebrate the local businesses which go above and beyond for
their communities every day. During the visit to Bangor, Retail NI chief executive Glyn Roberts kicked off the countdown for the 2026 awards which boasts 15 categories, giving local people the power to vote for their favourite businesses, until the end of August.
Winners will then be
announced on September 23. Run by Retail NI and decided fully by public vote, the awards honours the butcher who knows
every customer by name, the coffee shop that brings people together, or the convenience store that keeps a local community connected.
This year’s awards include two new categories, Best Post Office and Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year, recognising the essential services and local partnerships that help keep high streets strong, safe and vibrant.
Prime among the gongs are High Street of the Year and Overall Independent Retailer.
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “Bangor is home to a fantastic mix of independent retailers, hospitality businesses and local traders who play a vital role in supporting jobs, serving local communities and helping to keep the city centre vibrant.
“High Street Heroes is all about giving the public the chance to celebrate the independent retailers, local businesses and high streets that make a real difference every day.
“These awards are different because they are decided by the public. There are no judges. It is local shoppers, customers and communities who decide who deserves to be recognised.
“We want people in Bangor, Holywood and across the wider Ards and North Down area to get involved and show their support. Whether your High Street Hero is a family-run butcher, a brilliant bakery, a much-loved convenience store, a local fashion retailer, a neighbourhood post office or a high street that brings the whole community together, now is the time to nominate them.
“Retailers are facing significant pressures, from rising costs to retail crime, and it is more important than ever that we recognise the businesses, people and services that help keep our high streets strong, safe and vibrant.”
The High Street Heroes NI Awards are supported by National Lottery operator Allwyn, media partner Belfast Live, SSE Airtricity and GigGrafter.
The 2026 High Street Heroes Awards will take place on September 23, 2026.
The High Street Hero Award categories are Best Butcher, Best Coffee Shop, Best Convenience Store, Best Deli/ Bakery, Best Fashion Retailer, Best Forecourt, Best Generalist Retailer, Best Healthcare Retailer, High Street of the Year, Best Homeware Retailer, Best Off Licence, Best Independent Retailer Employee, Overall Independent Retailer, Neighbourhood Police Officer of the Year and Best Post Office.
Entries opened on Monday and will remain open until the start of September, with voting available online through Belfast Live.
