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Top of the shops! York has the best high street in Britain as Bishy Road triumphs

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It's official – Bishy Road is named number one in the awards ceremony on Monday. Photograph: The GB High Street on Twitter"

Bishy Road is the business! York is the very proud home of the best high street in Britain after Bishopthorpe Road triumphed in a nationwide hunt.

At the GB High Street Awards on Monday (November 30), Bishy Road was first named Best Local Parade of Shops, seeing off competition in that category from Hoole in Chester and Bath Place in Taunton.

It then went on to win the top prize, crowned GB High Street Of The Year in the honours organised by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

York's party street – Bishopthorpe Road. Photograph Tim Green on Flickr
York’s party street – Bishopthorpe Road. Photograph Tim Green on Flickr

Bishy Road saw off hundreds of contenders and 20 other shortlisted locations to take the title.

“We are absolutely bowled over,” said Johnny Hayes, chairman of the Bishy Road Traders Association.

“To win in our category of Best Local Parade of Shops was delightful but for Bishy Road to be named GB High Street of the Year is staggering!

“I am so proud of what the traders and the local community have achieved.”

He added:

  • We were up against some very strong contenders. I can’t stop smiling that Bishy Road has made it to the top!

    I’d like to thank everyone who supported and voted for us. Tonight we can celebrate and have a party.

    Tomorrow we will carry on doing what’s important – working together as a community to make our area better for everyone.

Bumper win

Helmsley took Market Town Of The Year in the same awards. And Yorkshire made it three gongs out of seven categories when Rotherham was awarded Town Centre Of The Year.

More than 230 locations entered the awards and 200,000 votes were cast.

Sir Gary Verity, chief executive of tourism body Welcome To Yorkshire, said:

  • The news that Yorkshire has collected three awards for our excellent High Streets doesn’t come as a surprise to those of us who live in this thriving and innovative county.

    I’d like to congratulate all of the winners, especially Bishy Road in York for their great success in being voted Great British High Street of the Year 2015.