Shoppers can vote for their favourite independent business based in Ashton Town Centre this month online in the Ashton Town Team Awards. You can vote until 30^th June at www.ashtonsmallbiz.co.uk with the winners announced on July 4^th – Independents Day!

The Ashton Independent Business Awards are once again sponsored by Bromleys Solicitors LLP. Paul Westwell, Partner at Bromleys said: “We are delighted to sponsor the awards once again this year. Independent retail has faced unprecedented challenges during the pandemic and supporting small businesses is more important than ever.” Deputy Chair of Ashton Town Team, Councillor Bill Fairfoull added: “Really pleased to announce we are running the Ashton Independent Business Awards. We know it’s been a difficult time but let’s hope we can have a better one so please get involved and vote for your favourite independent business in Ashton town centre”.

The town centre will be more of the focus of this year’s awards as businesses work hard to attract shoppers to the town once again. So, the footprint covered by the awards will be dedicated solely to that area. This will include Stamford Street, George Street, Old Street, Katherine Street, Oldham Road, Penny Meadow, Fletcher Street, Market Street, Booth Street, Henrietta Street, Bow Street, Warrington Street, Market Avenue, Wood Street, Delamere Street, Booth Street, Wellington Street, Cavendish Street, Bentinck Street and St Michael’s Square. Of course, this would include businesses in Ashton Market, Market Ground and those independent businesses in our Ashton shopping centres. Categories that you can nominate in are:

Fashion/Footwear

Fresh Food

Cafe/Take away

Restaurant

Jewellers

Hair & Beauty

Specialist

Floral, Cards & Gifts

Games, Computing & Technology

Market Trader

Sponsors award

Town Team award

Judges for this year’s awards include Nigel Skinner (Chair) editor at the Tameside Reporter, Ben Goodwin the Manager at Barclays Bank and returning judges Luke Mirfin from Tameside Markets and Jackie Moores, Principal from Tameside College.

Tameside’s Civic Mayor, Cllr Janet Cooper said ” I’m delighted to support the launch of the Ashton Town Team Independent Business Awards 2021 sponsored by Bromleys Solicitors.

The last year has thrown tremendous challenges for our small businesses in Tameside to overcome with the Covid pandemic.  I know it has been tough for many and the job has only just started to rebuild as lockdown easing has started.

Across Tameside our small independent retailers will be relying on local support to help them recover and grow once again.  I’d like to encourage everyone to shop small when they visit our town centres because to those businesses it will make a big difference.

Thank you again to Ashton Town Team for inviting me today to launch the Independent Business Awards, it’s important we recognise the contribution these make to the town centre.  So I encourage you to go online and nominate your favourite for the awards at www.ashtonsmallbiz.co.uk.”