Praise for Business Forum as Yarm High Street scoops national award

The High Street was nominated for the award by Yarm Business Forum, with winners being decided by combination of scores from a judging visit and a public vote.

And after reaching a shortlist of 10, Yarm was named the 'England' winner at a ceremony in Edinburgh today.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: "We're absolutely delighted that Yarm High Street has won this award and I'd like to congratulate Yarm Business Forum, Yarm Town Council and all those involved in putting the bid together.

"We continue to work closely with the Forum and have consistently been impressed with the 'can-do' attitude of the businesses involved. They are positive, proactive and absolutely committed to ensuring the town prospers.

"This is a great example of what can be achieved when traders get round the table and work together - after all, they know what the town needs better than anybody. I look forward to seeing the Forum and the town go from strength to strength."

As winner, Yarm Business Forum will get a share of a prize pot worth £100,000 to spend on an event to engage and contribute towards the local community, such as a street party, community initiative or sustainability programme.

The award comes at a time when Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is leading a fightback across all of the Borough's town centres.

Last year, the Council agreed to provide Yarm Business Forum with a full-time member of staff to help the Forum in delivering its ambitions for the town.

And earlier this month, the Council opened a series of "honest conversations" to seek people's view on the future of Yarm, Billingham, Ingleby Barwick, Norton and Thornaby.

Meanwhile, negotiations with landowners about two potential sites for long stay parking that would service Yarm High Street are ongoing.