Wood Street is in the running for a share of £50,000 prize money, in a Government scheme to boost the prospects of the country’s high streets.

Photo taken from the We Are Wood Street website

Today Government minister Penny Mordaunt announced 21 shortlisted schemes in 7 categories. Wood Street is one of three shortlisted schemes in the ‘London’ category. The press release says of our high street:

The Wood Street programme, funded by the Outer London Fund and London Borough of Waltham Forest, took an holistic approach to the whole area; improving the physical environment through shop front improvements innovative light-touch signage improvements (Shopportunity), and art installations and activities; improving social cohesion and engagement through working with local schools, events and activities, refurbishment of the local play area and school frontages at Woodside school; supporting businesses through the establishment of a business forum, revitalising Wood Street indoor market, creating a new website for the area, shop front improvements and visual merchandising and social media training.

The entries will be visited by a member of the judging panel taken from the Future High Streets Forum. A winner will then be selected for each category and announced in a month or so.

According to the statement, the winners will win a share of £50,000 prize money and receive dedicated support and mentoring from industry experts. This could range from one to one coaching, to advice on creating business plans, to workshops on digital marketing.

People can show their support for Wood Street (as some already have) on twitter using #GBHighSt or by visiting thegreatbritishhighstreet.co.uk (though this website has not yet been updated with the shortlist). Don’t forget to tag us (@woodst1st) so we can retweet.

Fingers crossed for our high street!