People from across the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area have until Monday, July 31 to send in their nominations for this year's High Street Hero Awards, powered by Retail NI.

Locals are being encouraged to vote for their favourite online to help them win a coveted award.

Online voting is now officially under way for 13 categories, including two new categories for this year – Best Green Retailer and Best Generalist Retailer – so there’s plenty of chances to ensure retailers in every town and village get recognised in what promises to be the biggest and best annual retail initiative yet.

Glyn Roberts, Retail NI Chief Executive, said: “The awards are open to local retailers right across Northern Ireland and will identify those local independent retailers who are taking a lead. Whether it’s a local butcher that’s a cut above the rest or a fashion retailer with exceptional style, it’s time to vote for your top favourites in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area.”

"Independent retail is the lifeblood of communities right across Northern Ireland and our annual High Street Heroes NI campaign represents the biggest celebration of our thriving local retail sector.”

Retail NI, which represents the independent retail and wholesale sector in Northern Ireland, launched the High Street Heroes NI campaign to recognise and reward local retailers and their impact on local communities – 70p in every £1 spent with a local independent retailer is ploughed back into local the economy, supporting local producers, suppliers and staff.

Welcoming this year’s awards and encouraging local citizens to get involved, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor Thomas O’Reilly, said: “Our high streets and neighbourhoods define the great places we live in and are vital for doing business, shopping and socialising. An intrinsic part of our life, the towns and villages across our District contribute not only to jobs and the local economy - they are the very heartbeat of every local community.

This year’s High Street Hero Awards provide everyone in the District with an outstanding opportunity to identify those people and businesses which they think make the best contribution to the vitality and character of their area. I encourage everyone to get involved and to vote as early and for as many categories as you can.”

The hugely successful High Street Hero NI awards is a joint initiative powered by Retail NI and supported by Camelot, Roam, Strategic Power Connect and Belfast Live. Shortlisted nominees will be announced in early August.

Winners are determined solely by public nominations which must be made online by Monday 31 July 2023. For more information on how to cast your vote, visit www.RetailNI.com/High-Street-Heroes.